R2D2
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Forum Pro
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Posts: 26,540
Re: IS modes Canon RF 100 - 500 for BIF
f8f8f8 wrote:
Thanks to all above for sharing your experience with this lens. Seems like IS mode 2 is the way to go if I have IS on for panning for BIF. I hope to be able to quickly do my own tests in Costa Rica and determine what works best for me but this helps speed up the learning curve.
If you’re in the (dark) forests of Costa Rica you’re going to want IS Mode 1, plus your exposure settings are not going to be very conducive to BIFs either. You’re going to want to be able to change your settings from one mode to another very quickly, so I’d recommend programming the M-FN button to switch Custom modes (C1 for perched birds, and C2 for BIFs is fastest).
The IS mode you’ll have to switch manually, so it’ll take the same amount of effort (and time) changing it from Mode 1 to OFF, as it would from Mode 1 over to Mode 2. Like I mentioned, I recommend turning IS off completely for BIFs. Mode 2 works well for terrestrial objects moving directly across your field of view, however IME very few birds move in exactly that manner (the other poster’s fine Coopers Hawk sample notwithstanding).
With nearly all BIFs, there is always some component of Vertical travel as well, and the IS will naturally fight that. Again, it’s best to follow the subject’s flight path as closely as possible, and that’s where your natural panning motion comes into play. It’s much more accurate than the stabilization’s “freeze/catch up” movements.
Using a fast enough shutter speed will also increase your keeper rates. Shoot RAW and process with a good noise reduction program to maximize IQ. Best of luck!
R2
ps. Lots of BIF samples in my galleries…
https://pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/loaded_with_talon