How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife? - FM Forums

Register · Search · Software · Join Upload & Sell · Hosting

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

FM Forum Rules
Rules: One new topic per day

FM Forums \| Nature & Wildlife \| Join Upload & Sell	Search Used
end

Archive 2008 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

gailb
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

I photograph primarily slow moving wildlife which mosey around but may suddenly take off in flight. I want to be ready to capture both types of movement. I haven't been using a DSLR for a long time so have a few questions about Servo modes.

I keep my Canon XSi/450D set to AI Focus, which according to Canon, automatically switches from One Shot AF to AI Servo depending on the subjects movement.

Question: Is AI Focus mode most suitable for this type of photography?

Also, I keep my camera continually set to Continuous mode so it's there when I need it.

Question: Is it okay to use Servo and Continuous modes at the same time?

Question: Why do some recommend turning of Image Stabilization when using these modes?

Any tips for using Servo modes will be much appreciated since it's been hit and miss thus far.

Thank you very much!

Sep 22, 2008 at 12:00 PM

trenchmonkey
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

That's what it's there for! I'd use center point, Servo...not the AI. You might try using the * or AF button instead of
1/2 depressing the shutter. Takes a little to get used to but I'll never go back.

Sep 22, 2008 at 12:07 PM

gailb
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #3 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

trenchmonkey wrote:
You might try using the * or AF button instead of
1/2 depressing the shutter. Takes a little to get used to but I'll never go back.

Thank you for the reply.

I'm unfamiliar with using the * button for AI Servo. Please explain more fully.

Sep 22, 2008 at 09:17 PM

Brenton Biggs
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

I'm not sure if one can switch button functions with the rebel.

Sep 22, 2008 at 09:57 PM

trenchmonkey
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #5 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Sure ya can, it's a custom function. Read the manual.

You'd be using the * button for AF lock. My Daughter
shoots that way with one so I know it works. I set it up,
but I'm an older 'monkey and don't recall the settings.

Sep 22, 2008 at 11:22 PM

Brenton Biggs
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

trenchmonkey wrote:
Sure ya can, it's a custom function. Read the manual.

You'd be using the * button for AF lock. My Daughter
shoots that way with one so I know it works. I set it up,
but I'm an older 'monkey and don't recall the settings.

I guess you can then haha

I was thinking of my old xti and couldn't recall if you do it.

Sep 23, 2008 at 12:24 AM

trenchmonkey
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #7 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Sure Brenton, the XT and XTi would let you. Most of the BIF and sports guys
I know shoot that way. When I teach beginners I start out 'em out using the * button
to get in the habit. No one's complained.

Sep 23, 2008 at 12:28 AM

gailb
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Thanks for the info. I had two more questions:

Question: Is it okay to use Servo and Continuous modes at the same time?

Question: Why do some recommend turning of Image Stabilization when using these modes?

Any suggestions or advice. Thank you.

Sep 30, 2008 at 07:50 AM

72chevelle454
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #9 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Question: Is it okay to use Servo and Continuous modes at the same time?

* perfectly fine to use these two the same time, My camera is set up like this 90% of the time.

Question: Why do some recommend turning of Image Stabilization when using these modes?

* not sure who doesn't recommend this, but I do

The only time I might not use "IS" is using a tripod, but most new lens with "IS" can detect if they are on a tripod, so turning this off is not really necessary.

Also, take advantage of every opportunity to get more familiar with tracking the subject, start tracking the subject in flight before they reach you, this will allow the camera to adjust and better focus.

Sep 30, 2008 at 09:01 AM

Jody Melanson
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #10 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Image Stabilization will slow down the focus speed by a split second. If you want really fast focus speed, turn it off. Especially if you are shooting flight, you will want a shutter speed of 1/1250 and faster if possible......IS isn't going to help much at the higher speeds anyhoo.

AI Servo is much better than AI Focus for flight or action shots. Even shotss that aren't moving much, the AI Servo will keep focus lock if they are moving a bit, where the AI Focus won't pop out of One Shot mode.

Sep 30, 2008 at 10:03 AM

lbuscher
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #11 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Hey the King of BIF (J.M.) is right as I see it. I also will turn off the IS on my glass so if I am going for BIF but I also turn it off when watching a certain spot for something to take place as it makes noise when it runs and I have seen a red tail take notice of me pushing the shutter button ½ and the IS noise starting make it take off and it is a 150 feet from me. I also will say the IS on one glass may make more noise than that on another. My 500 seems to make more noise when running than my 1 to 400. Go figure.
Lou

Sep 30, 2008 at 03:37 PM

Kandie Kingery
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #12 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Hey Trench, thanks for the * Advice..I have to DL my manual (At work) and give it a try.

Sep 30, 2008 at 05:59 PM

Kandie Kingery
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #13 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Ok I got two options.. which one do I want..

AE/AF No AE lock
Or
AF/AE Lock

Oooh the choices.. I guess I will have to play with it..Since you can't really tell me which one to use..

Sep 30, 2008 at 06:04 PM

Kandie Kingery
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #14 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Beautiful.. LOVE it.. Now I don't have to wait for my danged Autofocus to decide what to focus on..

Sep 30, 2008 at 06:11 PM

gailb
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Thanks for all the very helpful information. I'll switch to full fledged AI Servo. I need lots of practice.

Oct 02, 2008 at 10:39 AM

LynnP
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

The reason not to use IS is because it only stops your movement not the subjects. If your movements are too great, like being on a rocking boat, only a high shutter speed will stop the movement of both you and the subject. If you climb up a steep hill with a heavy telephoto and are taking a photo of a still or slow moving subject than that is the time to use IS. Unless you are panting too hard.

Oct 02, 2008 at 06:11 PM

mt2mt2
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #17 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

A quick question about AI Servo. When the subject is NOT moving, does the focus accuracy suffer? I like to stalk birds and since they usually see me before I see them, most of my shots are takeoff and in flight. 40D is set to get at least 1/1000th shutter speed and AI Servo with * button for focus. Seems to work pretty good when I do my part. Sometimes I spot the bird before he takes flight and I can get some perch shots. For these the focus seems to wander and not lock in like in One Shot mode. I don't want to miss the takeoff shot, so I don't want to change focus mode if i don't have to. Is AI Servo less precise in its ability with non-moving subjects?

Mike

Oct 02, 2008 at 07:24 PM

gailb
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #18 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

mt2mt2 wrote:
A quick question about AI Servo. When the subject is NOT moving, does the focus accuracy suffer? I like to stalk birds and since they usually see me before I see them, most of my shots are takeoff and in flight.

I'm back, and have the same question. Hope someone can answer it.

Thank you!

Jan 22, 2009 at 07:12 PM

gailb
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #19 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

72chevelle454 wrote:
Also, take advantage of every opportunity to get more familiar with tracking the subject, start tracking the subject in flight before they reach you, this will allow the camera to adjust and better focus.

Can you be more specific about what you're suggesting here?

Do I push the shutter-button halfway immediately as I start tracking? Or keep tracking until the subject is correctly in the frame, and then push the shutter button and track?

I'm not even sure if I keep the shutter button half-way, or press it fully down and keep it down while tracking.

So far, I'm following these suggestions as to modes and settings when lighting is good:

Center focus point
AI Servo mode
Fast shutter speed, around 1600
Exposure Compensation between -1/3 and +1/3, depending on the scene and lighting

Thank you.

Jan 22, 2009 at 07:19 PM

Jo Dilbeck
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #20 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Not to steal the thread, but I'm following this subject matter closely as I learn the best technique for BIF. Have to ask a REALLY stupid question though, what is "continuous focus" mode? (See, I told you it was a stupid question, but I really need to know).

Is this just another way of saying "auto-focus"?

Jo

Feb 13, 2009 at 08:43 PM

buffalowolff
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #21 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

Ai Server mode -> tracks and retains focus constantly
Continuous mode I can only assume means the shutter drive mode.

As for the * setting, I go with AE/AF No AE lock on the rebel, in case the clouds are changing shadows, or if recomposing.

My question to add to this is for BIF, do most use center point only, or do you keep all points active to allow for some sloppiness in your tracking. I'm not great at tracking yet and have found leaving all points active, especially on my 50d seems to help. My XSi isn't great at tracking small moving subjects or subjects moving directly towards or away, the 50d is much better at it.

Feb 13, 2009 at 09:01 PM

Rob Whiting
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #22 · How to use AI Servo when photographing wildlife?

mt2mt2 wrote:
A quick question about AI Servo. When the subject is NOT moving, does the focus accuracy suffer? I like to stalk birds and since they usually see me before I see them, most of my shots are takeoff and in flight. 40D is set to get at least 1/1000th shutter speed and AI Servo with * button for focus. Seems to work pretty good when I do my part. Sometimes I spot the bird before he takes flight and I can get some perch shots. For these the focus seems to wander and not lock in like in One Shot mode. I don't want to miss the takeoff shot, so I don't want to change focus mode if i don't have to. Is AI Servo less precise in its ability with non-moving subjects?

Mike

I keep my cameras in AI servo 99% of the time. Unless I know my subject isn't going to move (like a landscape or a bowl of fruit). I shoot mostly wildlife & my 2 toddlers, so the chances of my subjects moving are close to 100%. I've never had a problem with focus accuracy.

Feb 13, 2009 at 09:16 PM


FM Forums \| Nature & Wildlife \| Join Upload & Sell end