R7 BIF help

phenix jc wrote:

KatManDEW wrote:

Would anyone be willing to share their BIF settings for the R7? I'm not have near as good luck with it as I have with the R5. I have better luck with my 200-400 than I do with my RF 100-500, but it's still not great. I have eye focus on one back button and regular focus on the other button, but the other day with the 200-400 I totally missed a relatively long fly by of an owl over tall grass (maybe winter wheat). I immediately gave up on eye focus and "pumped" the regular focus button over and over and over, and it just would not focus on the owl.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/66717347
You now have to set the flexible zone AF 1 with (your) custom size on the regular focus.
I'm seeing a neat improvement.
I still think the R7 isn't the best for BIF. I mean, in difficult scenario. Of course, when it catches on, it's like magic. But small or distant bird on a busy background, the DSLR (Nikon) is still better. Or let's say easier.
So, when the magic isn't here, you've to work harder to helps the regular AF to catches and to keep. I'm still learning and improving.
Mathieu Gasquet points out that the R6 & R7 fares way better for BIF. I hope for a software update...

Yes, despite using the settings from the two sites recommended above I am finding it still a bit hit and miss. Also  including with owls flying in front of reeds (but a long way in front). I think I am getting better but I'm now thinking that it is not the panacea reviewers were implying as I read more and more posts like this. Not completely sure why the animal (bird) subject AI can't resolve that the moving thing is likely to be an animal and the static bit isn't!  There are some things happening that aren't down to my newness to the set up. My Nikon D500 was better and simpler in this situation. Of course it is brilliant in the fact that the RF100-400m is a great value lens and can match my Sigma 150-600mm and of course it is lighter which is the other reason for buying. I spoke to somebody yesterday who sent back their R5 because they just couldn't get BIF well. My personal feeling is that there is knack as well as getting the settings right and it will come good with practice and time.