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Archive 2019Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
p.1 #1Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
These settings have been verified to work with Firmware V4.00 on 10/31/2020
For the past month I've been using some new settings and hardware and I'm now confident I have found the magic to shoot BIF with the X-T3.
First off, it's bright out there and the eyecup that comes with the X-T3 allows too much stray light into your eye making it harder to see. I replaced the eye cup with the Fuji EC-XT L or a deeper third party one. I wear glasses and it works well with them. I recommend this change even if you don't wear glasses.
I use AF-C with Zone Focus Mode. I have set the zone to 3 boxes and steer with the focus stick as needed. I found that AF-C Custom Setting 5 (Erratic) was very close yet needed a little tuning so I dialed in 6 (Custom). I have been experimenting and have been using the following settings since April of 2019:
Tracking sensitivity: 4
Speed tracking sensitivity: 1
Zone area switching: Center
Other Settings to change:
Enable Boost
Turn off "Natural Live View"
I also recommend programing one of the control wheels to "AF Mode". This allows you to click the control wheel and then move to the mode your want without lifting your finger so it is very fast.
Firmware Version 3.0 introduced better face detection and I enjoy using it for human portraits. While the camera will now detect the face of wildlife about 30% of the time, it also finds faces that are not there. I recommend turning face detection off for flight photography to avoid this issue. I've struggled to get sharp images at distance and also have had trouble getting good focus on bright white subjects such as egrets at a distance, even when they are still. Today, 8/23/19 I resolved this issue. I've changed to using speed tracking sensitivity from 2 to 1. It appears firmware V3 made this more sensitive and the note under the setting came into play "The higher the value, the more difficulty the camera will have focusing in situations in which autofocus dose not perform well, such as when the subject is highly reflective or low in contrast."
Since making this change I've shot in fog, in low light after sunset and with backlit subjects and the 100-400 with and without the 1.4x TC usually nails focus. There are occasions when the bird turns or changes speed where one frame in a burst might miss.
I hope this helps some of you,
Morris
PS. I've edited this post to include corrections discussed later in the thread. I've also updated the post to cover the effect of Firmware Version 3.0
Edited on Nov 02, 2020 at 08:08 PM · View previous versions
For the past month I've been using some new settings and hardware and I'm now confident I have found the magic to shoot BIF with the X-T3.
First off, it's bright out there and the eyecup that comes with the X-T3 allows too much stray light into your eye making it harder to see. I replaced the eye cup with the Fuji EC-XT L or a deeper third party one. I wear glasses and it works well with them. I recommend this change even if you don't wear glasses.
I use AF-C with Zone Focus Mode. I have set the zone to 3 boxes and steer with the focus stick as needed. I found that AF-C Custom Setting 5 (Erratic) was very close yet needed a little tuning so I dialed in 6 (Custom). I have been experimenting and have been using the following settings since April of 2019:
Tracking sensitivity: 4
Speed tracking sensitivity: 1
Zone area switching: Center
Other Settings to change:
Enable Boost
Turn off "Natural Live View"
I also recommend programing one of the control wheels to "AF Mode". This allows you to click the control wheel and then move to the mode your want without lifting your finger so it is very fast.
Firmware Version 3.0 introduced better face detection and I enjoy using it for human portraits. While the camera will now detect the face of wildlife about 30% of the time, it also finds faces that are not there. I recommend turning face detection off for flight photography to avoid this issue. I've struggled to get sharp images at distance and also have had trouble getting good focus on bright white subjects such as egrets at a distance, even when they are still. Today, 8/23/19 I resolved this issue. I've changed to using speed tracking sensitivity from 2 to 1. It appears firmware V3 made this more sensitive and the note under the setting came into play "The higher the value, the more difficulty the camera will have focusing in situations in which autofocus dose not perform well, such as when the subject is highly reflective or low in contrast."
Since making this change I've shot in fog, in low light after sunset and with backlit subjects and the 100-400 with and without the 1.4x TC usually nails focus. There are occasions when the bird turns or changes speed where one frame in a burst might miss.
I hope this helps some of you,
Morris
PS. I've edited this post to include corrections discussed later in the thread. I've also updated the post to cover the effect of Firmware Version 3.0
Edited on Nov 02, 2020 at 08:08 PM · View previous versions
May 01, 2019 at 06:17 PM
p.1 #2Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
morris wrote:
For the past month I've been using some new settings and hardware and I'm now confident I have found the magic to shoot BIF with the X-T3.
First off, it's bright out there and the eyecup that comes with the X-T3 allows too much stray light into your eye making it harder to see. I replaced the eye cup with the Fuji EC-XT L or a deeper third party one. I wear glasses and it works well with them. I recommend this change even if you don't wear glasses.
I use AF-C with Zone Focus Mode. I have set the zone to...Show more →
Did you mean,
Speed tracking sensitivity: 2, 3 doesn't exist, as far as I can see?
Thanks for sharing it!
May 01, 2019 at 06:45 PM
p.1 #3Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
cvrle59 wrote:
First off, it's bright out there and the eyecup that comes with the X-T3 allows too much stray light into your eye making it harder to see. I replaced the eye cup with the Fuji EC-XT L or a deeper third party one. I wear glasses and it works well with them. I recommend this change even if you don't wear glasses.
I use AF-C with Zone Focus Mode. I have set the zone to 3 boxes and stear with the focus stick as needed. I found that AF-C Custom Setting 5 (Erratic) was very close yet needed a little tuning so I dialed in 6 (Custom). I then used all the settings from 5 with just one change (bolded) which did the magic:
Tracking sensitivity: 3
Speed tracking sensitivity: 3
Zone area switching: Auto
Since making this change I've shot in fog, in low light after sunset and with backlit subjects and the 100-400 with and without the 1.4x TC nails focus as well as any camera I've used including the D500. There are occasions when the bird turns or changes speed where one frame in a burst might miss and that is usually not the case at 11 FPS.
Fuji warns that by seeing Speed tracking sensitivity to 3 the camera might have trouble focusing in fog or low contrast situations. This has not been my experience yet I'm ready to go to AF-C mode 5 if that happens.
I hope this helps some of you,
MorrisDid you mean,
Speed tracking sensitivity: 2, 3 doesn't exist, as far as I can see?
Thanks for sharing it!
Good catch! I did this from memory and have two errors above. I'm correcting
Thank you,
Morris
morris wrote
For the past month I've been using some new settings and hardware and I'm now confident I have found the magic to shoot BIF with the X-T3.First off, it's bright out there and the eyecup that comes with the X-T3 allows too much stray light into your eye making it harder to see. I replaced the eye cup with the Fuji EC-XT L or a deeper third party one. I wear glasses and it works well with them. I recommend this change even if you don't wear glasses.
I use AF-C with Zone Focus Mode. I have set the zone to 3 boxes and stear with the focus stick as needed. I found that AF-C Custom Setting 5 (Erratic) was very close yet needed a little tuning so I dialed in 6 (Custom). I then used all the settings from 5 with just one change (bolded) which did the magic:
Tracking sensitivity: 3
Speed tracking sensitivity: 3
Zone area switching: Auto
Since making this change I've shot in fog, in low light after sunset and with backlit subjects and the 100-400 with and without the 1.4x TC nails focus as well as any camera I've used including the D500. There are occasions when the bird turns or changes speed where one frame in a burst might miss and that is usually not the case at 11 FPS.
Fuji warns that by seeing Speed tracking sensitivity to 3 the camera might have trouble focusing in fog or low contrast situations. This has not been my experience yet I'm ready to go to AF-C mode 5 if that happens.
I hope this helps some of you,
Morris
Speed tracking sensitivity: 2, 3 doesn't exist, as far as I can see?
Thanks for sharing it!
Good catch! I did this from memory and have two errors above. I'm correcting
Thank you,
Morris
May 01, 2019 at 06:56 PM
p.1 #4Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
Thanks, Morris, for posting this. I'll have to give it a try as I haven't been that successful with my Fuji gear when it comes to BIF captures.
May 01, 2019 at 09:38 PM
p.1 #5Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
Thank you so much Morris for sharing this info. Like Fred, I haven't been successful too.
I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.
I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.
May 02, 2019 at 05:56 AM
p.1 #6Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
Fred Amico wrote:
Thanks, Morris, for posting this. I'll have to give it a try as I haven't been that successful with my Fuji gear when it comes to BIF captures.
My pleasure Fred. This should make a significant difference
Morris
Thanks, Morris, for posting this. I'll have to give it a try as I haven't been that successful with my Fuji gear when it comes to BIF captures.
My pleasure Fred. This should make a significant difference
Morris
May 02, 2019 at 07:07 AM
p.1 #7Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
zimman wrote:
Thank you so much Morris for sharing this info. Like Fred, I haven't been successful too.
I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.
You are welcome John.
I edited the original post and there corrections are there.
Morris
Thank you so much Morris for sharing this info. Like Fred, I haven't been successful too.
I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.
You are welcome John.
I edited the original post and there corrections are there.
Morris
May 02, 2019 at 07:08 AM
p.1 #8Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
Thanks for clarifying it for me.
May 02, 2019 at 09:30 AM
p.1 #9Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
I find that, Zone area switching: Front, with largest Focus Area (I think 7-point side), works well too, if there is no obstacles between me and bird, especially against the sky.
It's hard for me to keep small Focus area on the subject sometimes, so I turn it into largest one, and Front.
It's hard for me to keep small Focus area on the subject sometimes, so I turn it into largest one, and Front.
May 02, 2019 at 11:03 AM
p.1 #10Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
morris wrote:
zimman wrote
Thank you so much Morris for sharing this info. Like Fred, I haven't been successful too.I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.
I edited the original post and there corrections are there.
Morris
I'm wondering, what shutter you use, mechanical or electronic.
I tried both, and I really didn't see the difference, or my eyes are not that good any more.
I opted for electrical, which I use almost exclusively, except when the flash is on.
May 04, 2019 at 07:57 PM
p.1 #11Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
Morris,
Are you using shutter AF rather than back button focusing so you can steer the AF zone with the stick?
Are you using shutter AF rather than back button focusing so you can steer the AF zone with the stick?
May 05, 2019 at 10:57 AM
p.1 #12Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
cvrle59 wrote:
I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.You are welcome John.
I edited the original post and there corrections are there.
MorrisI'm wondering, what shutter you use, mechanical or electronic.
I tried both, and I really didn't see the difference, or my eyes are not that good any more.
I opted for electrical, which I use almost exclusively, except when the flash is on.
I use the mechanical shutter to avoid what I think is called taring. I understand it's not that common yet I don't want to louse a good image. Also, 11 FPS seems fast enough
Morris
morris wrote
zimman wrote
Thank you so much Morris for sharing this info. Like Fred, I haven't been successful too.I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.
I edited the original post and there corrections are there.
Morris
I tried both, and I really didn't see the difference, or my eyes are not that good any more.
I opted for electrical, which I use almost exclusively, except when the flash is on.
I use the mechanical shutter to avoid what I think is called taring. I understand it's not that common yet I don't want to louse a good image. Also, 11 FPS seems fast enough
Morris
May 05, 2019 at 01:14 PM
p.1 #13Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
jeffbuzz wrote:
Morris,
Are you using shutter AF rather than back button focusing so you can steer the AF zone with the stick?
Yes I trip the shutter with the shutter release. I've never been a fan of back button focus. I know this is a personal choice. As you don't get full time staring with the focus stick on Fuji, only the initial setup is affected. The thing I don't like is if the bird turns and you want to move the focus stick you must take your finger off the shutter release to move the selected area with the focus stick. I've discussed this with Fuji, no luck so far. Possibly when I see them in person in October I can show them.
Morris
Morris,
Are you using shutter AF rather than back button focusing so you can steer the AF zone with the stick?
Yes I trip the shutter with the shutter release. I've never been a fan of back button focus. I know this is a personal choice. As you don't get full time staring with the focus stick on Fuji, only the initial setup is affected. The thing I don't like is if the bird turns and you want to move the focus stick you must take your finger off the shutter release to move the selected area with the focus stick. I've discussed this with Fuji, no luck so far. Possibly when I see them in person in October I can show them.
Morris
May 05, 2019 at 01:17 PM
p.1 #14Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
morris wrote:
cvrle59 wrote
morris wrote
zimman wrote
Thank you so much Morris for sharing this info. Like Fred, I haven't been successful too.I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.
I edited the original post and there corrections are there.
Morris
I tried both, and I really didn't see the difference, or my eyes are not that good any more.
I opted for electrical, which I use almost exclusively, except when the flash is on.
Morris
I really didn't notice it so far, but I'll open my eyes, and I'll find some time to compare them.
The reason, I opted for ES is, I liked EVF better in burst mode with it.
Thanks for your response!
May 05, 2019 at 05:06 PM
p.1 #15Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
cvrle59 wrote:
I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.You are welcome John.
I edited the original post and there corrections are there.
MorrisI'm wondering, what shutter you use, mechanical or electronic.
I tried both, and I really didn't see the difference, or my eyes are not that good any more.
I opted for electrical, which I use almost exclusively, except when the flash is on.I use the mechanical shutter to avoid what I think is called taring. I understand it's not that common yet I don't want to louse a good image. Also, 11 FPS seems fast enough
MorrisI really didn't notice it so far, but I'll open my eyes, and I'll find some time to compare them.
The reason, I opted for ES is, I liked EVF better in burst mode with it.
Thanks for your response!
That's interesting regarding the EVF. I'll have to give it a try
Morris
morris wrote
cvrle59 wrote
morris wrote
zimman wrote
Thank you so much Morris for sharing this info. Like Fred, I haven't been successful too.I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.
I edited the original post and there corrections are there.
Morris
I tried both, and I really didn't see the difference, or my eyes are not that good any more.
I opted for electrical, which I use almost exclusively, except when the flash is on.
Morris
The reason, I opted for ES is, I liked EVF better in burst mode with it.
Thanks for your response!
That's interesting regarding the EVF. I'll have to give it a try
Morris
May 07, 2019 at 01:39 PM
p.1 #16Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
Hi Morris. Thanks for posting. I do not see a corrected settings list
??
Bill
??Bill
May 20, 2019 at 08:56 AM
p.1 #17Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
morris wrote:
Are you using shutter AF rather than back button focusing so you can steer the AF zone with the stick?Yes I trip the shutter with the shutter release. I've never been a fan of back button focus. I know this is a personal choice. As you don't get full time staring with the focus stick on Fuji, only the initial setup is affected. The thing I don't like is if the bird turns and you want to move the focus stick you must take your finger off the shutter release to move the selected area with the focus stick. I've discussed this with Fuji, no luck so far. Possibly when I see them in person in October I can...Show more →
The BBF or SRF is actually getting to be a renewed debate these days. I talked to a Sony user the other day who shoots sports and apparently, SRF has become a go-to setting now with the A9 and the remarkable tracking system that camera has. There's some reasons for it - and I thought he said that actually the focus is faster with SRF and that the tracking is able to follow whoever the camera locks on to really, really well.
Could this also be the case for Fuji and other manufacturers?
Well, shut my mouth! ForEVER I have used BBF - and I mean since the film days - because it was considered more reliable.
Now I'm starting to wonder if things have totally changed due to the ability of modern cameras to track subjects even with obstacles getting in the way temporarily.
This is an interesting debate that will be, IMHO, be ultimately settled by real field testing. Could be a game changer.
jeffbuzz wrote
Morris,Are you using shutter AF rather than back button focusing so you can steer the AF zone with the stick?
The BBF or SRF is actually getting to be a renewed debate these days. I talked to a Sony user the other day who shoots sports and apparently, SRF has become a go-to setting now with the A9 and the remarkable tracking system that camera has. There's some reasons for it - and I thought he said that actually the focus is faster with SRF and that the tracking is able to follow whoever the camera locks on to really, really well.
Could this also be the case for Fuji and other manufacturers?
Well, shut my mouth! ForEVER I have used BBF - and I mean since the film days - because it was considered more reliable.
Now I'm starting to wonder if things have totally changed due to the ability of modern cameras to track subjects even with obstacles getting in the way temporarily.
This is an interesting debate that will be, IMHO, be ultimately settled by real field testing. Could be a game changer.
May 20, 2019 at 04:06 PM
p.1 #18Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
morris wrote:
I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.You are welcome John.
I edited the original post and there corrections are there.
MorrisI'm wondering, what shutter you use, mechanical or electronic.
I tried both, and I really didn't see the difference, or my eyes are not that good any more.
I opted for electrical, which I use almost exclusively, except when the flash is on.I use the mechanical shutter to avoid what I think is called taring. I understand it's not that common yet I don't want to louse a good image. Also, 11 FPS seems fast enough
Morris
"Taring" ??
cvrle59 wrote
morris wrote
zimman wrote
Thank you so much Morris for sharing this info. Like Fred, I haven't been successful too.I'll wait to see your corrections before making adjustments.
I edited the original post and there corrections are there.
Morris
I tried both, and I really didn't see the difference, or my eyes are not that good any more.
I opted for electrical, which I use almost exclusively, except when the flash is on.
Morris
"Taring" ??
May 20, 2019 at 04:08 PM
p.1 #19Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
wfr2 wrote:
Hi Morris. Thanks for posting. I do not see a corrected settings list??
Bill
Hi Bill,
I corrected the original post.
Morris
Hi Morris. Thanks for posting. I do not see a corrected settings list
??Bill
Hi Bill,
I corrected the original post.
Morris
May 20, 2019 at 04:40 PM
p.1 #20Morris's X-T3 Birds In Flight Setup - Third Update for Firmware V3
pasblues wrote:
Are you using shutter AF rather than back button focusing so you can steer the AF zone with the stick?Yes I trip the shutter with the shutter release. I've never been a fan of back button focus. I know this is a personal choice. As you don't get full time staring with the focus stick on Fuji, only the initial setup is affected. The thing I don't like is if the bird turns and you want to move the focus stick you must take your finger off the shutter release to move the selected area with the focus stick. I've discussed this with Fuji, no luck so far. Possibly when I see them in person in October I can show them.
MorrisThe BBF or SRF is actually getting to be a renewed debate these days. I talked to a Sony user the other day who shoots sports and apparently, SRF has become a go-to setting now with the A9 and the remarkable tracking system that camera has. There's some reasons for it - and I thought he said that actually the focus is faster with SRF and that the tracking is able to follow whoever the camera locks on to really, really well.
Could this also be the case for Fuji and other manufacturers?
Well, shut my mouth! ForEVER I have used BBF...Show more →
When I shot Nikon I used the multi selector (rocker) and when the D500 came out the Joystick to keep focus on the subject. This was not possible (at east for me) using back button. Fuji dose track the subject quite well. It was one of the things I needed to fully understand and then trust as I was used to doing this my self and wanted to continue that way. On cameras that have closest subject I frequently used this at it works quite well for flight when the foreground dose not get in the way. You can set up closest subject on Fuji and the foreground can get in the way. Up in the sky it is a great setup.
Morris
morris wrote
jeffbuzz wrote
Morris,Are you using shutter AF rather than back button focusing so you can steer the AF zone with the stick?
Morris
Could this also be the case for Fuji and other manufacturers?
Well, shut my mouth! ForEVER I have used BBF...Show more →
When I shot Nikon I used the multi selector (rocker) and when the D500 came out the Joystick to keep focus on the subject. This was not possible (at east for me) using back button. Fuji dose track the subject quite well. It was one of the things I needed to fully understand and then trust as I was used to doing this my self and wanted to continue that way. On cameras that have closest subject I frequently used this at it works quite well for flight when the foreground dose not get in the way. You can set up closest subject on Fuji and the foreground can get in the way. Up in the sky it is a great setup.
Morris
May 20, 2019 at 04:50 PM