80D Tracking on bigger birds is Fantastic

James Larsen · Jul 8, 2016

Back Button AF really works well with this camera, especially tracking big birds, I went out to test it with some seagulls, and I'm surprised at how well it did.

Heres one of my best shots:

Heres one of them on the ground:

So far I'm enjoying the AF on the 80D, it does a great job (especially on bigger birds), and now that I've actually figured out the AF system somewhat I'm getting better results. The only time its a bit of an issue is when I'm trying to focus quickly on small, fast moving birds (Chickadees, Warblers, etc.), sometimes I can't just get the focus fast enough when they land.

So far, I'm definitely enjoying the solid tracking and fast AF system. The 7FPS isn't bad either, 8-10 would be optimal, but its good enough.

--
15 yr old Aspiring Wildlife Photographer. Hoping to be a Cinematographer.

James Larsen Photography

This site has not been updated since July, it is not active. I plan on making another site with all of my newer photos soon. If you are here, how about you check out my Youtube Channel! I'd love it...

jameslarsenphoto.weebly.com

aftab · Jul 8, 2016

You surely are getting better James.

Light seems to be low. You will get better results with better light; less noise, more detail and higher shutter speed for sharper image.

Are these JPEGs?

Shubhanyu Jain · Jul 9, 2016

Second one is focussed brilliantly.

Kevin G. · Jul 9, 2016

Very nice James. It looks like the light was rather low - a higher shutter speed would definitely improve the sharpness of flying birds but the weather doesn't always cooperate.

Have you been using 9 point focus or single point? I've tried the 9 point on smaller birds (against a non-busy background) and it seems to gain focus pretty quickly.

Regards,

Kevin

James Larsen · Jul 9, 2016

aftab said:
You surely are getting better James.

Light seems to be low. You will get better results with better light; less noise, more detail and higher shutter speed for sharper image.

Are these JPEGs?

James Larsen · Jul 9, 2016

phoenix1386 said:
Second one is focussed brilliantly.

Thanks!

I like that shot a lot, its kind of unique with the water splashing around him.

James Larsen · Jul 9, 2016

Kevin G. said:
Very nice James. It looks like the light was rather low - a higher shutter speed would definitely improve the sharpness of flying birds but the weather doesn't always cooperate.

Have you been using 9 point focus or single point? I've tried the 9 point on smaller birds (against a non-busy background) and it seems to gain focus pretty quickly.

Regards,

Kevin

Dave · Jul 9, 2016

Very nice, James. Have you tried any lightning shots the last couple of days?

James Larsen · Jul 9, 2016

Thanks!

No, I haven't really had time - there was lightning at Huron, but I didn't have the time to wait for a shot, and the past couple days we've been working on putting an electrical fence thing under the ground for our dogs, hopefully it works!

Dave · Jul 9, 2016

James Larsen said:
Thanks!

No, I haven't really had time - there was lightning at Huron, but I didn't have the time to wait for a shot, and the past couple days we've been working on putting an electrical fence thing under the ground for our dogs, hopefully it works!

"Invisible fences" are wonderful. Our neighbor's dog runs right through theirs (it's cranked all the way up) and then refuses (smart dog) to return. They're nice about cleaning up the messes he leaves on our lawn. Maybe use one of your cameras to record the wire's location, so you don't have to have those little flags forever?

James Larsen · Jul 9, 2016

Well, lets hope its not the same for us...lol

Do you know what brand they were using?

stevejenn · Jul 9, 2016

Dave said:
"Invisible fences" are wonderful. Our neighbor's dog runs right through theirs (it's cranked all the way up) and then refuses (smart dog) to return.

Funny

Steve J

stevejenn · Jul 9, 2016

Nice to see your enjoying your new cam. Looking forward to seeing your shots in the future.

Steve J

James Larsen · Jul 9, 2016

stevejenn said:
Nice to see your enjoying your new cam. Looking forward to seeing your shots in the future.

Steve J

Thanks!

Dave · Jul 9, 2016

James Larsen said:
Well, lets hope its not the same for us...lol

Do you know what brand they were using?

Invisible Fence.

My beef with it, in addition to the ZAP! the dogs receive, is how easy it is to cut when doing yard work. Ditto for landscape lighting wires.

James Larsen · Jul 9, 2016

Well we dug deep under the ground so nothing would happen if we did work, but we put it around in specific spots we won't be doing any work besides an occasional mow.

The brand we are using is called "Pet Safe", which has a good amount of great reviews (actually someone we know used it and it worked on a bigger dog then ours, so hopefully this one works).

Dave · Jul 10, 2016

About the same distance in the opposite direction.

Officials celebrate recovery of tiny Kirtland’s warbler

A recommendation could come as early as next year to remove the warbler from the endangered species list.

www.freep.com

James Larsen · Jul 10, 2016

Thats good to know!

bansheerider · Jul 10, 2016

James Larsen said:
Back Button AF really works well with this camera, especially tracking big birds, I went out to test it with some seagulls, and I'm surprised at how well it did.

Heres one of my best shots:

Heres one of them on the ground:

So far I'm enjoying the AF on the 80D, it does a great job (especially on bigger birds), and now that I've actually figured out the AF system somewhat I'm getting better results. The only time its a bit of an issue is when I'm trying to focus quickly on small, fast moving birds (Chickadees, Warblers, etc.), sometimes I can't just get the focus fast enough when they land.

So far, I'm definitely enjoying the solid tracking and fast AF system. The 7FPS isn't bad either, 8-10 would be optimal, but its good enough.

--
15 yr old Aspiring Wildlife Photographer. Hoping to be a Cinematographer.
http://jameslarsenphoto.weebly.com/

Nice shots! I am too enjoying the 80D focusing system. Here's a couple photos I took yesterday using the Sigma 150-600mm lens. This was my first time shooting birds and I was also handholding the big 4LBS lens

The 80D did really good considering this was all handheld, zoomed all the way in 600mm, and the wind was gusting 20 mph. My SS was 1/1000 and I'm thinking maybe a little faster would have produced sharper images considering the conditions? I was using shutter priority on AI Servo, very impressed with this body/lens combination.

--
Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.

James Larsen · Jul 10, 2016

Nice photos!

The Killdeer probably would've come out better in flight if the SS was higher. The others are good though!!

80D Tracking on bigger birds is Fantastic

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