how do you manually adjust the exposure correction

stevet1 wrote:

For myself, about 95% of the time, I shoot in Av mode, selecting the depth of field I want and knowing that the camera is going to automatically select a shutter speed approximately twice what my focal length is. Most of the time that will satisfy any camera shake issues.

I mostly shoot static subjects.

Yes, Av mode is my default mode when shooting general scenes with static subjects.

In such cases, aperture (determining depth of field) is key — the other two can be flexible.

If I “care” only about aperture, I use Av mode.

If I “care” about both aperture and shutter speed, I use M mode with Auto ISO.

Now, I want to add one more item to the mix: Auto ISO with Minimum Shutter Speed.

Revisting what I said about Av mode, I usually let the camera choose ISO and shutter speed but with a restriction: not slower than what I consider the slowest acceptable speed.

In Av mode, I can set f/1.8 plus Auto ISO with minimum shutter speed of 1/100 sec.

The camera chooses to shoot at f/1.8 + 1/125 sec + ISO 100.

Now, as I move closer to the subject, I want to maintain roughly the same depth of field by dialing the aperture down to f/4.5.

The camera chooses to shoot at f/4.5 + 1/160 sec + ISO 250.

In both cases, the camera respects my wish of not shuttering slower than 1/100 sec.

guinness2 wrote:

Do you limit the Auto ISO from the upper side ? Which camera do you use ?

The camera provides the option to set upper limit for ISO. These days, I personally don’t worry too much about high ISO levels.

I use Canon 80D.

Canon 80D Instruction Manual, pages 152-153

guinness2 wrote:

The biggest challenge IMHO are “ Birds in Flight” . It needs a quick focusing lens and sunny day to achieve the optimal SS. DoF is not a big issue here, I guess.

DoF must be explictly controlled.

How the bird is rendered — either the head is mainly in focus, or most of the bird is in focus — must be the photographer’s explicit and deliberate decision.

Well, if the bird is about 1/10 or 1/25 of the total frame, nothing is to be talked about.

For birds, I personally use Av mode at f/8 and Auto ISO with minimum shutter speed of 1/500 sec (perching) or 1/1000 sec (in flight).

guinness2 wrote:

AshleyMC wrote:

guinness2 wrote:

The biggest challenge IMHO are “ Birds in Flight” . It needs a quick focusing lens and sunny day to achieve the optimal SS. DoF is not a big issue here, I guess.

DoF must be explictly controlled.

How the bird is rendered — either the head is mainly in focus, or most of the bird is in focus — must be the photographer’s explicit and deliberate decision.

Well, if the bird is about 1/10 or 1/25 of the total frame, nothing is to be talked about.

For birds, I personally use Av mode at f/8 and Auto ISO with minimum shutter speed of 1/500 sec (perching) or 1/1000 sec (in flight).

Thanks, I respect your experience, probably more fresh than mine.

As I have not an access to most of my pics, could you estimate the distance you shoot BIF at?
How much of a frame the bird fills in ?

I tried to simulate it on the dofmaster for 5.6, FL 200mm and focusing distance of 10m (APS-C) and the DoF is about 0,5 m , half in back,half in front.

Again, I don’t call your experience into question, but I don’t remember to have any problem with DoF, but with the shutter speed due to dim light and poor AF speed of my lens.

My only safari is feeding ducks on our close city river :-))

Count on your own practical experience and artistic preference.

Having problems with the shutter speed due to dim light and poor AF speed of your lens?

Choose the light — move on if you consider the light too dim.

Set the minimum shutter speed — assuming your camera supports such capability.

Poor AF of lens? Actually AF speed and accuracy depend on the lens and the processor, plus integrated assistance by the sensor. In general, high-end cameras such as 80D, 90D, 7D, 7D Mark II (and Nikon D500) are significantly helpful for BIF photography, especially in real-time AF tracking.

Ducks on nearby river or lake?

640mm (EFL), f/8, 1/500s, ISO 800