Capturing sharp images of fast moving subjects like birds in flight can be challenging. The autofocus mode you choose plays a critical role in getting tack sharp images. There are several autofocus modes to consider for photographing birds in flight, each with their own pros and cons.
Understanding Autofocus Modes for Birds in Flight
DSLR and mirrorless cameras offer a variety of autofocus modes to handle different types of subjects and situations. The main ones to consider for photographing fast action like birds in flight include:
- Single Shot AF
- AI Servo AF
- AI Focus AF
- Group Area AF
- Automatic AF Point Selection
- Manual AF Point Selection
- Eye Tracking/Face Tracking AF
- 3D Tracking AF
Understanding the strengths and limitations of each mode will help you select the right option for capturing tack sharp images of birds in flight.
Single Shot AF
Single shot AF, also known as One Shot AF on Canon cameras, is designed for stationary subjects. When you half-press the shutter, the camera locks focus on the subject. If the subject moves, the camera will not adjust focus. Single shot AF works well for perched birds, but is not effective for birds in flight.
AI Servo AF
AI Servo AF (or AI Focus AF on Nikon cameras) is designed for moving subjects. When you half-press the shutter, the camera will continuously track focus on the subject while it is moving. This makes it very effective for action photography like birds in flight.
AI Focus AF
Canon’s AI Focus AF mode automatically switches between Single Shot AF and AI Servo AF depending on whether the subject is stationary or moving. This can be effective for birds that alternate between perching and flight.
Group Area AF
Group area AF allows you to choose a group or zone of AF points to focus on your subject. This can be helpful with birds in flight to track them as they move across a wider area of the frame.
Automatic AF Point Selection
In this mode, the camera automatically selects which AF points to use to track your subject. This can work well for keeping erratic birds in flight in focus.
Manual AF Point Selection
With manual AF point selection, you choose a single AF point to focus on your subject. This requires more skill to track the bird, but allows precise control over which part of the frame stays in focus.
Eye Tracking/Face Tracking
This intelligent autofocus mode can track and maintain focus on a bird’s eye or face. It requires the bird to be close enough to detect the eyes/face to be effective.
3D Tracking
3D tracking uses data from the camera’s AF sensor to track the subject as it moves across the frame. This can be effective for birds in flight against uncomplicated backgrounds.
Best Autofocus Modes for Birds in Flight
So which autofocus modes work best for tack sharp images of birds in flight? The most effective options include:
AI Servo AF
AI servo AF is the go-to choice of many wildlife photographers for capturing birds in flight. By continuously tracking focus on moving subjects, it maintains sharpness as the bird changes position and distance from the camera.
AI servo works great as long as the subject remains within range of the AF system. Using automatic AF point selection or group area AF gives it a wider area of focus to track erratic movement.
3D Tracking
3D tracking can also do a great job tracking birds in flight against clean backgrounds. The additional depth data it uses helps keep focus on the bird even at different distances and angles.
Automatic AF Point Selection
Allowing the camera to automatically select AF points takes the work out of panning and tracking birds manually. Automatic selection will quickly find the subject and switch focus points as needed to maintain sharpness.
Manual AF Point Selection
Although manual point selection requires more skill, it can result in crisper images than automatic selection. Carefully positioning a single AF point over the bird’s eye as you track it gives precise control over sharpness.
AF Case Settings
Customizing the AF “case” settings of your camera for birds can also help fine tune autofocus performance.
For example, you can adjust parameters like how quickly focus switches between subjects, how readily the AF system starts tracking a new subject, and how sticky the focus is on an object.
Choosing case settings that quickly react to new birds entering the frame while still tracking the original subject can improve keeper rate.
Other Autofocus Settings
In addition to AF mode and case, other settings related to autofocus can impact results when photographing fast action:
- AF Operation – Continuous AF adjusts focus constantly while focus priority shots will only fire when sharp focus is achieved.
- AF Tracking Sensitivity – Lower values only start tracking subjects with definitive movements while higher sensitivities react to subtle changes.
- AI Servo 1st/2nd Image Priority – Biasing toward the first shot ensures it is perfectly focused while second shot bias maintains tracking longer before each shot.
- Lens Focus Limiter Switches – Limiting focus range to a closer subject distance improves AF speed and tracking performance.
Tips to Improve Autofocus for Birds in Flight
Beyond selecting the right AF mode and settings, there are some techniques that can help you achieve better autofocus results when photographing birds in flight:
Pan With the Subject
Panning your camera along the subject’s path of movement can improve focus. Matching the bird’s speed and direction makes it appear relatively static in the frame.
Position the Subject Off-Center
Placing the bird at the edge or corner of the frame gives the autofocus system more room to track movement and find focus.
Use High Speed Continuous Shooting
High frame rates increase your chances of capturing peak action moments when wings are fully extended and the bird is perfectly tracked by AF.
Choose a Focus Point Cluster
Using a cluster or group of focus points gives a larger focusing area to track the bird as it flies across the frame.
Focus on the Eyes
When possible, aim to focus on the bird’s eye to maximize sharpness. This may require pre-focusing on the predicted flight path.
Shoot in Good Light
Bright, even lighting helps autofocus sensors achieve fast focus lock. Early morning and late afternoon side lighting work best.
Use AF Lens Extenders
Extenders like Canon’s 1.4x and 2x increase focal length, allowing you to fill the frame with small, distant birds.
Recommended Camera Settings
When shooting birds in flight, some camera settings will give you the best autofocus results:
- Shutter speed: 1/1000s or faster to freeze motion
- Aperture: f/5.6 to f/8 for sufficient depth of field
- ISO: 400 to 1600 for fast shutter speeds in lower light
- Exposure mode: Aperture or shutter priority for control over depth of field or motion blur
- Drive mode: High speed continuous shooting 5-10fps
- Metering: Evaluative, partial, or spot metering
Best Autofocus Settings by Situation
You can tailor your AF settings based on the specific type of birds in flight you are shooting:
Situation | Recommended Autofocus Settings |
---|---|
Small, fast birds against clean sky | AI servo AF with automatic AF point selection or group area AF |
Large birds flying over water | AI servo AF with manual point selection focused on eye |
Flock of birds erratically changing direction | AI servo AF with zone or 3D tracking |
Perched birds taking off/landing | AI focus AF to switch between servo and single |
Against busy backgrounds like trees | Single point flexible spot AF point for precision |
Best Autofocus Cameras for Birds in Flight
The camera model you use can make a significant difference in reliably tracking focus on birds in flight. Some top models for bird photography include:
Nikon D500
153 point AF system covering large frame area. 10fps burst rate. Great customization of case settings.
Sony A9 II
699 phase detection AF points. 60fps drive speed to freeze action. Real-time eye AF.
Canon EOS-1D X Mark III
191 point AF with deep learning and head tracking. 16fps mechanical shutter. 1,000 shot buffer.
Nikon Z9
493 phase detection AF points. 120fps burst rate. Bird Detection AF mode.
Fujifilm X-H2S
Advanced subject detection AF. 40fps electronic shutter. 5-axis in-body image stabilization.
Best Lenses for Bird Photography
Using a lens optimized for focusing on fast moving subjects can make a big impact on nailing sharpness with birds in flight. Some top options include:
Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS
Direct drive SSM focus motor. Lightweight magnesium alloy. Fast, precise AF tracking.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR
Phase Fresnel element greatly reduces size and weight. 4.5 stops of vibration reduction stabilize images.
Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS USM
Dual Nano USM focus motors for speed and accuracy. 5.5 stop image stabilization.
Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports
Hyper Sonic Motor AF drive. Intelligent OS stabilization. Affordable super telephoto zoom range.
Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
Improved AF speed and tracking over first version. Vibration Compensation keeps images steady.
Autofocus Technique and Skill
While camera and lens choice are important, developing effective bird in flight photography technique makes the biggest difference in achieving sharp focus:
- Learn typical flight patterns to accurately pre-focus on where birds will be.
- Pan smoothly with the movement of the bird to track it in the frame.
- Compose shots to allow room for erratic changes in direction.
- Keep the bird close enough to fill a reasonable amount of the frame.
- Follow through on your shots capturing the entire sequence of movement.
- Shoot in burst mode to increase chances of sharp shots.
- Use a monopod or tripod to stabilize heavy lenses.
Conclusion
Photographing moving subjects like birds in flight presents unique autofocus challenges. Selecting the right autofocus mode like AI Servo along with customizable case settings gives you the best chance of tracking focus on erratic motion.
An advanced camera optimized for subject tracking combined with a fast super telephoto lens and effective BIF shooting technique allow capturing tack sharp images of birds in flight with greater consistency.
With practice, you can master tracking focus on birds of all sizes from hummingbirds to eagles in any situation. Learning to pan smoothly, focus precisely, and track subjects against varied backgrounds will take your bird photography to new heights.