My custom settings for small bird shots...

[Didereaux]

I use the Canon 7Dmkii w/ Sigma 150-600C lens for most of my bird shooting now. I do most of my birds handheld, For examples of what this combination can do look at the tanager, and indigo bunting threads I recently posted. I have found that for this style of shooting that Auto ISO (range 100-1600) shutter 1/1250+ aperture wide open, spot focus, evaluative metering and EC set to +1.5-2.0 gets the most usable shots. I also use back button focusing and AI-servo continuous. These settings are registered to the custom C3 position.

Recent examples using this setup:

 

[jcdeboever]

Those are real nice and encouraging since I have the C version of that lens. Now I have to find the time to use it.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Didereaux]

Those are real nice and encouraging since I have the C version of that lens. Now I have to find the time to use it.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

ahhh crappola, mistypoed I have the 'C' version as well!.

 

[Rick50]

Good info. 1 1/2 - 2 stops is more than I have been using. I'm going to try your settings.
Having said that if I shoot an egret in sunlight it's the other way. I'm getting used to rotating the wheel to
adjust this quickly. Leaving the blinkies on is very helpful.
Thanks!

 

[Didereaux]

Good info. 1 1/2 - 2 stops is more than I have been using. I'm going to try your settings.
Having said that if I shoot an egret in sunlight it's the other way. I'm getting used to rotating the wheel to
adjust this quickly. Leaving the blinkies on is very helpful.
Thanks!

Yes, these settings are for shaded and backlit subjects. For bright front lit you would use -1 to -2 EC.

 

[Watchful]

I have the sport model just because it has more coated elements and better seals and construction. I use similar settings sometimes, but change a lot due the early mornings or fading light. These are good for mid day though, usually.
I also like silent mode.

 

[Didereaux]

I have the sport model just because it has more coated elements and better seals and construction. I use similar settings sometimes, but change a lot due the early mornings or fading light. These are good for mid day though, usually.
I also like silent mode.

Of course your work would speak for itself? Where are your small bird shots btw? @Watchful you are on my 'ignore' list for a reason.

 

[Watchful]

View attachment 120244 I agree the work playtime (I don't do any work anymore, I only play) does speak for itself, but since you took the time to share your finding, I did the same out of respect.

Since you asked, here's one.
And here's another one: Link
I am not sure where you looked for my pictures, but you may have missed them as I tend to clean up old pictures on the site to prevent clutter. Keep an eye out for future shots if you are interested.

 

[wfooshee]

Thanks for posting the OOF Grackle. It helped me decide whose advice to follow.....

 

[Watchful]

Thanks for posting the OOF Grackle. It helped me decide whose advice to follow.....

I use the same settings as I said. So following either will follow both.
I put the other higher res picture for you to view since the low res grackle was too hard for you to see well.

 

[wfooshee]

Uh..... wrong word for the 'F'........ Same number of letters as 'frame' but ends with an 's.'

 

[Watchful]

firetrucks?

 

[Watchful]

in photography OOF generally means Out Of Frame, which is the use of creatively croping and removing portions of an image to make it appear as if it is coming out of the frame: see these examples.

 

[wfooshee]

OOF generally means out of focus, which your grackle certainly is. Buh-bye.

 

[Didereaux]

OOF generally means out of focus, which your grackle certainly is. Buh-bye.

...here is a link to common photography abbreviations and acronyms.
List of abbreviations in photography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


...and yes OOF is Out of Focus!