Originally posted by lidy I can't believe what you can do with that lens+camera combo, Des! Absolutely stunning pictures!
Thanks very much Lidy. I find this combination unbelievable too! Friendly (and photogenic) birds that come up close make it a lot easier. These were all within about 4 metres; Darcy was probably only 2m (which is why the DOF is thin).
I used to use centre point focus-and-recompose for most things (I use one of the Auto settings for my birds-in-flight preset) but at the suggestion of a member here (a pro portrait photographer) I have switched to single point select. It has definitely improved my focus accuracy. For birds and animals I generally start with the point one or two above the centre point, because that is usually roughly where the eye of the critter will be when composing in the frame. It can be a bit fiddly (especially when switching between vertical and horizontal orientation) but I'm getting used to it and it is worth the trouble. I used to use back button autofocus, but I've gone back to shutter button - it leaves my right thumb free to move the focus point.