7D BIF shots (1 Viewer)

[HokkaidoStu]

I had an hour or so to test my new 7D so I took a walk down the local river to see what was about.

I was very impressed with the camera's capabilities capturing birds in flight. These shots were just messing around, I haven't worked my way around all the controls/settings, I haven't even found continuous shooting yet (ahem),

These Night Herons were against busy backgrounds but the AF worked like a treat (at least some of the time!).

Cropped a bit (about 30 or 40% perhaps), RAW processed in DPP and JPG in CS4 (levels, resize and slight sharpening).

This was in with my 100-400L at 400mm, AV mode, F8, AI Servo AF, Zone AF, ISO 400, Spot Metering.

Good light helped; 1/2500 on the first and 1/3200 on the second.

The RAW originals were 22 and 24MB!

Wow this is a different world from my trusty old 400D. Dunno about the leap from a xxD but from a xxxD/Rebel it's a huge jump.

There was a male Siberian Rubythroat flitting around in the bushes but as usual I couldn't get a clear view. Not even a new 7D could solve that old problem.........

Can't wait for the Stellers Sea Eagles to come in a few weeks to give the camera a real BIF workout. I'd better make sure I get a bigger memory card and a spare battery before then.........

 

[Roy C]

Looking good Stu. Have you tried Zone AF for BIF yet? according to Canon this was developed specifically for things like BIF.

 

[HokkaidoStu]

Hi Roy, yes these shots were with Zone AF............

 

[GYRob]

agree its looking good ,the first shot gray on gray and given the crop shows zone is working well too.
Rob.

 

[Roy C]

Hi Roy, yes these shots were with Zone AF............

I would image that using the centre 9 cluster in zone AF would give you quite a large area to play with in regards to keeping the bird locked on.
The trouble with something like the 40D when using the centre point, it is quick to lock-on but just as quick to lose the lock when you go outside the small AF area.

 

[GYRob]

I would image that using the centre 9 cluster in zone AF would give you quite a large area to play with in regards to keeping the bird locked on.
The trouble with something like the 40D when using the centre point, it is quick to lock-on but just as quick to lose the lock when you go outside the small AF area.

Hi Roy
this is were the slow tracking setting comes in, i have it set slow on my mk3 it just gives enough time to get back on the bird should you lose it befor it changes focus.
Rob.

 

[HokkaidoStu]

Hi Roy
this is were the slow tracking setting comes in, i have it set slow on my mk3 it just gives enough time to get back on the bird should you lose it befor it changes focus.
Rob.

I have absolutely no idea what that is.

Looks like I have to check the manual. Of course I only had the Japanese one in the box. I downloaded the English one but browsing a 276 page PDF document is a pain, I have to wait for Canon Japan to answer my e-mail and send me an English manual I can hold in my hand and peruse at my leisure..........

 

[stevetb]

Impressive stuff Stu, especially the one with the bars in the background; something you might expect the camera to be distracted by.

 

[GYRob]

I have absolutely no idea what that is.

Looks like I have to check the manual. Of course I only had the Japanese one in the box. I downloaded the English one but browsing a 276 page PDF document is a pain, I have to wait for Canon Japan to answer my e-mail and send me an English manual I can hold in my hand and peruse at my leisure..........

it ajust the speed in wich the camera will start to refocus after loseing the subject .
i.e if you wonder off the bird in flight it will not refocus right away say onto the background but will hold the focus so gives you chance to get back onto the bird without the lens hunting .
Rob

 

[HokkaidoStu]

it ajust the speed in wich the camera will start to refocus after loseing the subject .
i.e if you wonder off the bird in flight it will not refocus right away say onto the background but will hold the focus so gives you chance to get back onto the bird without the lens hunting .
Rob

Thanks Rob I'll check it out..........

 

[Roy C]

Hi Roy
this is were the slow tracking setting comes in, i have it set slow on my mk3 it just gives enough time to get back on the bird should you lose it befor it changes focus.
Rob.

Yep, handy feature Rob. There is a feature on the 40D which does help and that is to disable focus search, that way if you lose the bird it will not lock-on to the background quite as easy.

 

[Nikon Kid]

Roy C take a look here some shots with 7d 300 f2.8 http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=760327&page=2

 

[Roy C]

Roy C take a look here some shots with 7d 300 f2.8 http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=760327&page=2

Some good pics in that linkTerry - the 7D is looking good.

 

[hollis_f]

So far I've only used single point AF with AF expansion. Sometime (when the arthritis and weather allow) I've got to go out and try that vs the zone AF. But, in my head, the single point plus expansion seems the most likely to succeed with BiF.

 

[websurfer]

Roy C take a look here some shots with 7d 300 f2.8 http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=760327&page=2

Sorry, but I do not see any difference from what other cameras are capable of.

 

[kevindurose]

Sorry, but I do not see any difference from what other cameras are capable of.

I know what you mean, and this is a bit worrying

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-10042-10239-10240

I'm still interested if its any good as it takes more than one non-conclusive review to put me off. Has anyone compared the 7ds focus for birds in flight caperbilities with any of the 1D pro cameras yet. Are there any conclusive reviews anywhere?

 

[hollis_f]

I know what you mean, and this is a bit worrying

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-10042-10239-10240

A review of a pre-production camera by somebody who went on and on and on about the 1D MkIII AF long after it had all been fixed wasn't going to put me off. Nicksan on potN has dumped his 1D in favour of the 7D.

 

[Nikon Kid]

You need to wait for the Pro Bird/Wildlife photographers reviews before you dismiss the 7d Mines on order I will use it to my ability which will not stretch the camera that much, but I will be happy with a new camera which most will be.....

 

[Saphire]

I also have the 7D but I am waiting for some decent birds to try it out properly, all I have taken so far are sitting birds. I think they all know I have a new camera so they are hiding, this time last week I had our resident buzzard flying past the window, now nothing, flippin typical. I hope something turns up soon I am getting impatient to put it to the test.

 

[GYRob]

iv ordered one for the reach it will give mostly on non flying birds 18mp is like doubling the MPs that my mk3 gives
so if i use the mk3 with a 500f4 that gives 650mm field of view
Now take the 7d but with a 300f 2.8 this gives 480mm field of view BUT almost twice the pixsels
so if you then scale that up to the mk3 combo its like using an 800mm lens if you follow my way of thinking .
also the 300f 2.8 will be able to use the ultra fine center focus point too that works at 2.8 or larger apeture .
I think this is going to be a great birding camera .
Btw a mk4 would have to have almost 30mp to catch up in reach/crop.
Rob.