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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cutterpillar" data-source="post: 3755268" data-attributes="member: 145304">For bird photography I am using smallest focusing/exposure metering area and also set the camera to AF/Manual focus mode. Some birds are small and if background is not contrasting enough the chances are AF is going to need manual intervention. AF/Manual mode allows us to bring subject into focus by holding shutter release button semi-depressed and to achieve desired focus all we need is to twist the infinite adjusting ring (EVF will greatly help with the manual focus setting). As well, if the subject is constantly moving it will be a good idea to change AF to Servo mode and also reduce the shutter speed. I also use burst mode, to make sure I can select a photo with the best focus possible out of several dozen. I also, since the invention of image stabilization, never use a tripod. If I feel shaky I will use burst, or find a tree to lean against. Having small camera and tripod defeats the whole purpose of the small camera for me.As well there is one useful trick I use every now and again to keep the focus right: when digital camera focuses on something when we half depress shutter release button it is not going to change this setting up until we fully press it, meaning we can focus on something and change composition and still get perfect focus on our subject, or we can focus on something and wait until our subject gets into this focal range (for instance bird moving through the bush). Hope this helps!</blockquote>

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