I am glad to given a chance to have a unit CANON EOS R3 to have a series of test on Birds/Nature Photography.
As for other camera, I plan to have series of tests which related to Tropical forest birds Photographer concerns eg. ISO performance, AF performance, Raw files dynamics range etc.
After days of basic understanding the camera (actually it is like a upgraded version of my old CANON EOS 1dxm2). I will try share other view of the camera later in other posts, here lets share one of the major concern : AF performance.
For this test, I am using
CANON EOS R3
CANON EF 500mm F4 IS2
CANON 1.4x TC III
No feeding, No nesting and no idea what bird flying to/from which directions. Just base on what you see and trying the Camera capability to focus and capture.
Setting
AF area (whole sensor)
AFC, eye-control AF off
Drive mode: H (15fps)
AI Servo (AF-C)
RAW and use DPP straight convert to JPEG and resize.
I am glad to given a chance to have a unit CANON EOS R3 to have a series of test on Birds/Nature Photography.
As for other camera, I plan to have series of tests which related to Tropical forest birds Photographer concerns eg. ISO performance, AF performance, Raw files dynamics range etc.
After days of basic understanding the camera (actually it is like a upgraded version of my old CANON EOS 1dxm2). I will try share other view of the camera later in other posts, here lets share one of the major concern : AF performance.
For this test, I am using
CANON EOS R3
CANON EF 500mm F4 IS2
CANON 1.4x TC III
Handheld inside car
No feeding, No nesting and no idea what bird flying to/from which directions. Just base on what you see and trying the Camera capability to focus and capture.
Setting
AF area (whole sensor)
AFC, eye-control AF off
Drive mode: H (15fps)
AI Servo (AF-C)
RAW and use DPP straight convert to JPEG and resize.
All of sudden a White-throated Kingfisher flying infront of us, with immediate response I just point the Len toward the bird and lets the camera lock focus on the bird and track … capture the images in ~3-4s
this feature need to enable an electronic shutter and what it does
1. focus and HALF press the shutter
2. the camera start record pictures within the frame
3. press the Shutter button and anything pre-happen before shutter button press (~<1s) will be a record
e.g. 3 White-bellied Woodpecker Nesting
– another good opportunity to use this special function
– 这个环境非常容易的用这个功能
video by combine 17 pictures within ~1s while the bird flying out from the nest and I only press the shutter button after seeing the bird flying out from the nest
eg. 1 this bird keep “displaying” but what we need just one position
whats you need to do just
1. Turn ON Pre-shot (require ES)
2. focus on the bird and half-press the shutter just like on left and waiting for any action of the bird. Press the Shutter immediately after the desired moment happen to mean frame 6/7 (anything within ~1s) then all the previous pictures will be recorded into the memory card.
*In traditional to capture the desired moment (5th frame from left, we need to keep burst the shutter and hope lucky to get the frame with a few hundred shots.
* in this testing, I only enable 8 fps
#
eg2. Bird flying out from Nest
in this condition, the bird may stay in the nest hole for minutes, hours before it flies out and when it flying out could be just a split second. So it is not easy to capture the moment.
here is the frame I got
1. Enable Pre-Shot
2. focus and Half-press shutter button. The bird can be in this position for minutes and hours.
3. all of sudden the bird fly out and this is when I press my shutter button
But all the other frames before this last moment already captured into the memory card
This is just a feature that captures pre-moment so it is not continuous focus, so pre-plan the angle where the bird expects to have the next move is important to have a better focus picture.
Besides that, to have a wider or not too big a subject the frame can allow u to have long series of action pictures.
#
So Have fun trying this lovely feature. Besides Fujifilm Xt3/4. Understand Panasonic which first launches this feature under Pre-burst and Olympus follow later call Pro-capture.
One of the reasons to own 8k video most probably is to crop the video like this one to get more clarity (but I didn’t reduce it to 4k just want to show 8k video and zoom in)
let’s have a look at 4k and tell me how’s this video looks like? very good? good? normal?
I am glad to be given a chance to be tried on the Fujifilm XF70-300mmF4-5.6 R LM OIS WR. Even though we don’t have that many opportunities to do more tests on this setup because of the Covid-19 lockdown.
for quick sharing from Fujifilm XF70-300mmF4-5.6 R LM OIS WR Liew WK – Lens Stories
For birding Photography, we always concern about on few camera and lens specifications
1. Image Quality
– how sharp and how’s the ISO performance
– with Teleconverter Image quality
2. Autofocus performance
– how fast the autofocus, how accurate autofocus, and how good is the tracking capability
3. Weather-resistant, Weight and Size
– no one can deny bigger lens (longer and bigger aperture) will give you better image quality but we need to know how much we can tolerate with Image quality drop with the size and weight reduce.
– most of the bird photography here (Tropical rainforest – Malaysia) involves a lot of tracking, walking, hiking so it is not really a good choice to carry heavy equipment to long hours to do bird photography here.
Some Extra Features
4. Minimum Focus Distance
– most of the Bird photographers also a nature lover who may also capture many other creatures (butterfly, snake, etc
– minimum focus distance of 0.83 which give magnification 0.33
5. Image stabilization
– I can’t comment much as not really do a lot of testing on this but some of the dark conditions where I shoot ~600mm at 1/10-1/30s also give a very good success rate but for my comfort. 1/100 is a base shutter speed to get a very high success rate for myself.
I also captured some videos handheld
####
Very low light condition
ISO1600, F8.0, 1/30
################################################
1. Image Quality
– with previous testing on the Fujifilm equipments
– as previous testing share, the X-T4 AF performance FAST, accurate and tracking is good too.
– I won’t share any single point AF here as all others above are using AFS or single focus but here I am sharing what I am concern about continuous focus for both lock focus & tracking capability
– Both above Loglight Condition sharing pictures were captured in very low light condition and AF is still fast and accurate for AFS
All pictures below captured with AFC – continuous focus and Zone (almost full screen). [I let the camera and lens decide to lock the object and track without any additional setting change]
i. Terns
– many of them flying far and near with moderate speed but in any direction under the hot sun
– most of the focus can lock fast and continuous tracking the bird by the next 1-2 s as the tern fly out from the frame
– it is almost no fail to lock focus when the birds flying with blue/white sky and sea background which has enough contrast
– it is getting difficult to lock focus when a bird flies into the frame where the background is green
– this owl all of a sudden fly out from the small palm oil plantation- the focus lock fast but the tracking miss 50% intermittent as it is flying toward me fast and close (some of the focus frame lock on the wing but not the head).*** the tracking may able to improve by some AF setting. as the focus locking is fast enough to focus again after miss out of focus within 1-2s flying toward me seriesFujifilm X-T4, Fujifilm XF70300, TC 1.4x [434mm, ISO800 F.8.0 1/1250]
– This is a special case where this hornbill standing on a building wall. So make use of the continuous focus & tracking mode. Even the bird is near the tracking work since the bird begins flying until it missing into a tree.
– the moment happens just ~2s, while I am shooting 7fps. and the focus just miss 2 frame
– it is very difficult to capture swift picture due to normally they are flying fast, all different direction
– success rate is not very high due to the flying speed very fast and accelerates in any direction for feeding. But the camera and lens still able to lock the focus as long as my position is at the right position.
– due to the APS-C sensor size the lens design in a smaller size compared to an equivalent 35mm equivalent lens (100-400mm)
– the lens with X-T4 which is 607g (including battery and SD memory card)
– 1.4x TC
with such focal length 107mm to 457mm or (107mm to 457mm)x1.4 or x2)
look at the size
4. Minimum Focus Distance
– this lens can take a photo at a minimum focus distance of 0.83 which give magnification 0.33 think this is also good for some butterfly, big object macro
– Adobe Camera RAW 12.4, same recovery and other parameters for the same test
*** I found the Dynamic Range setting not just affect JPEG output, but also affects the data inside the RAW files. So testing also included DR100 (off), DR200 (suppose reserve highlight exposure 1 stop) & DR400 (suppose reserve highlight exposure 2 stop)
But check out the RAW files recovery result below !!! it is some magic that happens !!!
################################################
1. Highlight Recovery Test
1A. Highlight Recovery Test: Dynamic Range setting
– make sure of in Camera setting to protect Highlight details
Even with the direct JPEG output, the highlight details have been protected (DR200 1 stop and DR400 2 stops). But let’s have a look at the RAW file recovery
LEFT: DR100
CENTER: DR200
RIGHT: DR400
#
1B. Highlight Recovery Test: RAW files recovery
Test1: Highlight recovery from RAW files
– ISO1000, F5.6, 1/15 – this makes the picture +4 (4 stops overexpose)
– Adobe Camera Raw recovery. [Highlight -100%, Exposure -3.00]
#
Test1Bi. Highlight recovery, DR100 (DR off)
– All setting same as mentioned above
– DR100
– LEFT: Direct JPEG from Camera
CENTER: RAW
RIGHT: recovery setting as above and save as JPEG
#
Test1Bii. Highlight recovery, DR200
– All setting same as mentioned above
– DR200
– LEFT: Direct JPEG from Camera
CENTER: RAW
RIGHT: recovery setting as above and save as JPEG
#
Test1Bii. Highlight recovery, DR400
– All setting same as mentioned above
– DR400
– LEFT: Direct JPEG from Camera
CENTER: RAW
RIGHT: recovery setting as above and save as JPEG
#
Here’s come the magic of the RAW file and the Dynamic Range settings !!!!
– Look at the right face of the toy & background paper beg
– the DR400 not just protect highlight data in JPEG but in the RAW file, preserve more than what we expect (3 stops + 100% hight recovery)
DR400DR200DR100
#
2. Shadow Recovery Test
– 5 stops underexpose
– ISO800, F5.6, 1/8000
– DR100, 200, 400
– below are JPEG direct output from Camera
#
Test2A. Shadow recovery
Test1: Highlight recovery from RAW files
– ISO800, F5.6, 1/8000
– this makes the picture -5 (5 stops underexpose)
– Adobe Camera Raw recovery. [Exposure +5.00]
#
As the discussion of Dynamic Range is to protect Highlight data of the pictures. But I still go ahead with my test with DR100, 200 & 400
#
Test2Ai. Shadow recovery, DR100
Test2Ai. Shadow recovery, DR200
Test2Ai. Shadow recovery, DR400
#
For the 5 stops Shadow recovery, most of the details of the focused object still intact.
But when we turn on the Dynamic Range (DR200 & 400) gives an impact on the RAW files. Something really weird where DR400 actually give negative impact which produces more color noise and purple tint when exposure recovery
#
So we need 2 settings for Highlight & Shadow recovery
1. Highlight recovery: Highly recommend Turn on DR400
2. Shadow recovery: Highly recommended Turn of DR which is DR100
I will slowly update some of my concern features which related to Tropical forest birding requirement e.g. ISO performance (we have many lowlight condition environment), lowlight Autofocus, Image Stabiliser (handheld shooting minimum shutter speed)
– with the longest focal length 400mm with 1.5x crop (crop body) it is equivalent to 600mm 35mm focal length. So this may be a major concern for birding where 600mm is the maximum reach and always too short.
So I am trying to shoot this lens with 1.4x tc, which gives 400mmx1.4x=560mm and this equivalent 560mmx1.5=840mm (35mm focal length equivalent)
Focal length: mm+1.4x tc ISO: 640
F number: 8.0
Shutter Speed: 1/60
4k 16:9, 59.94p, 200 Mbps MOV/H.265 (HEVC) LPCM, 4:2:0 10bit
Zone AutoFocus - can see with the lowlight condition and mess environment the Autofocus will trying to confuse by the nearby moving objects (eg leaf)
################################################
Testing 3: Continuous Focus Tracking
– a test I am using mainly to test Bird in flight
– Continuous Focus, Zone
update 202102
– another good moment before last light the bird just flying out from roosting
– the fast focus lock of the X-T4 and tracking make me able to have many keepers of this bird flying just in short distance
– 這鳥在天黑前突然飛出來。X-T4 對焦很快與準。
#
update 202101
- another day testing with X-T4 and 200mmF2
- mainly trying on AF lock speed and tracking for raptors
flying
- and this is an example using AF Zone in Video record 4k,
60p
update 202101
- lucky to encounter this bird, but it flies away immediately found I get close to it...
- with the Fujifim X-T4 fast AF I managed to capture the
flying moment
update 20210114
– very strong wind day, there are Barn Swallow, Pacific Swallow, House Swift, Silver-rumped Needletail, German’s Swiftlet, etc flying fast near the water dam.
– I mainly want to try the focus locking speed and tracking speed for the X-system
finally on hand with production Canon EOS R5 for 2 days. managed to test standard function, ISO performance, Raw file capability (Shadow and highlight recovery) and AF : Animal eye tracking on birds
For wildlife Photographers, few things about AF bordeing us : AF speed, AF accuracy, AF tracking capability
*** yet to have time setup screen capture to show the R5 AF capability and hope I can make one to show
for the 2 days bird photography with the R5
Day1 : standard shooting experience, Handheld IS capability , ISO, Shadow and Highlight recovery
Day2 : I shooting Tv mode , Full Animal eye tracking
Here, I will sharing real Tropical forest field experience on using the R5 … few simple conclusions before start some sharing
1. the AF to lock the object
i. normal condition – EOS 1Dx m2 definitely faster and R5 is faster than my 5D mark4
ii. low light condition – EOS1Dx m2 faster , R5 is good compare to 5Dmark4
iii. back light condition with shadow highlight backgroup (not just pure sky)
– EOS1Dx m2 faster, 5Dm4 slow but R5 seem can’t really look for the object (small object on the overall frame) . the R5 just can’t get the lizard or the trunk nearby to focus for long (and I am still looking single button to change AF to MF peaking to solve this easy .
2.
2. Animal Finding — > Eye Tracking
– I was amaze by A9 with 600mm FE year back where my guest using it to find the the bird !!! As long as we point the camera and len toward bird direction with some minor complex object (with pure sky there are no problem at all) the A9 will automatic found the bird and keep tracking it !!!!!
so I also try to use R5 , I know where is the bird and point R5 with EF-R adapter 500mm EF IS4 II toward the direction . the Camera did found the tiny flowerpecker if it move/jump but it stay and just moving it’s body .. I still can’t depend the R5 help me find where’s the bird yet …
Trac#
Tracking : this TOTALY change my thought of Mirrorless camera !!!!
As long as I can find , focus the bird (use shutter button focus the bird) than I use the AF-on (configure to Animal eye focus) it will track the bird head/eye in any conditions : dark, backlight, moving, flying small object etc
Even, the Green Iora is far and small in this case. After I got the bird focus and press AF-On button, the eye tracking just work seamless (no matter it change head direction, jumping etc)
#
situation where birds flying with plain sky … it is incredible fast to get the camera to focus on the bird .. as long shutter speed fast enough , shooting swiftlet is like “makan kacang putih” (Malaysian say) …. picture below .. point my camera and len toward sky with any bird , and press the AF-On button which is Animal-eye tracking than within very short moment it will lock the bird and fire shutter ….
#
We always do have problem shooting bird in flight when bird flying toward us with speed . the AF not easy to lock the object firmly , even yes we need luck , high skill (camera and tripod handling) to have higher success rate for Bird in Flight toward us .. which is different from side way flying which many way can make higher success rate
Very lucky day, we have this Owl for us to try the animal-eye tracking AF … with condition
– bird flying from about 200m toward us about 20-30m toward us and than to right
– Canon EOS R5, R-EF adapter , Canon 600mm F4 IS2
– Tv mode set to Auto ISO, 1/2000
– This test , using single focus get the bird focus when it flying toward us than using Animal-eye tracking for full sequence shooting of ~3s
– Mechanical shutter
– among 29 frame pictures captured , only 1 frame missed and 1 not capture correct (due to moving my camera slower than the bird flying)
simple video show how each the bird flying toward us
each frame as below 2048px
###########
#
######################
related posts
Birds Watch/Photograph tour feel free to contact me
I am Canon user for long, and recently I have my Panasonic setup slowly build up. I like my L lens and my G9 ….
one day, someone told me . I actually can use all my L lens on my M4/3 G9 . Due to busy work schedule, I dont have time to look into it until last week. I finally have time purchase one online and test it last 2 days … I did very quick test more testing would like to do
so I started with m2 adapter which give me
1. 1.4 crop (mean 500mm Canon F4 IS2, I got ~710mm and biggest aperture F2.8)
2. one stop bigger aperture
3. lost len Image stabiliser
4. AFC hunting, AFH is not working at all
5. either TC (CANON, PANASONIC) is not working (but tested on Olympus camera, it is working but very slow AF)
6. AF speed almost same like my G9 + LEICA 200mm F2.8 (almost not noticeable different)
I am trying the setup for weeks, and I want to try some not quite fast moving bird with the “High resolution” mode which blend 8 RAW to single which make 80 MP image(raw)
