Focus help with K-3 birds in flight

**Kobie** · 02-04-2019, 09:18 PM - **1 Like**

For birds in flight with both my K-3 and K-30 I always use AF.C

K-3 Settings
TAv
AF.C (Shutter focus disabled)
Back Button Focus
Metering varies depending on environment
SEL Auto Focus expanded to 25
Auto Focus Hold - Low

K-30
TAv
AF.C (Shutter focus disabled)
Back Button Focus
AF.C set to focus Priority
Metering varies depending on environment
SEL Auto Focus expanded to 11

My technique is that I don't 100% rely on the tracking while I'm tracking.
I leave the tracking on for when I actually press the shutter to improve the odds of "keepers".
I regularly release the back button (depending on circumstances) and re-acquire my own focus while visually tracking by using my eyes.
With birds in flight heading towards the camera, I start tracking while they're far away, release, re-acquire, track, release, re-acquire and when they get to where I want them, I capture.
By doing it this way, there's less focus throw needed at the point of capture, hence, more chance of yet another "keeper".

Last edited by Kobie; 02-05-2019 at 12:05 AM. Reason: Added photos as examples

Mundj · 02-05-2019, 06:20 AM

Thanks for sharing your settings and technique. Great shots.

**Kobie** · 02-05-2019, 06:38 AM

Originally posted by Mundj

Thanks for sharing your settings and technique. Great shots.

Just trying to help the community after all my trial and error lol. And thank you for the compliment!

basrietkerk · 03-13-2021, 08:48 AM - **1 Like**

After reading all these posts carefully, today I give it a try. Created a user mode with the following settings:
SR: off
Mode: Tav
AF-C,
Expanded area AF: 25
Metering: Center priority
focus with shutter button
menu 16: 3 (focus priority)
menu 17: 1 (focus priority)
menu 18: 3 (high)

Using K3ii and Sigma 100-300mm lense.

So far I love the results.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

Last edited by basrietkerk; 03-13-2021 at 09:07 AM. Reason: added camera and lens type

Mundj · 03-13-2021, 09:02 AM

Great shots, thanks for shsring

35mmfilmfan · 03-13-2021, 04:28 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try them out as soon as I can safely venture outdoors. Round here, a walk is 'exercise' - the same walk with a camera or binoculars is 'recreation', and not permitted.

Paul the Sunman · 03-13-2021, 04:57 PM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by basrietkerk

SR: off
Mode: Tav
AF-C,
Expanded area AF: 25
Metering: Center priority
focus with shutter button
menu 16: 3 (focus priority)
menu 17: 1 (focus priority)
menu 18: 3 (high)

Using K3ii and Sigma 100-300mm lense.

For birds, especially birds in flight, I find that 1/640 s or 1/400 s is not sufficient. I generally use 1/1250 or faster, with f/8 or wider aperture. This gives better sharpness and more pop.

1/1250, f/6.3 (K1 + DFA 150-450)

basrietkerk · 03-14-2021, 03:20 AM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

For birds, especially birds in flight, I find that 1/640 s or 1/400 s is not sufficient. I generally use 1/1250 or faster, with f/8 or wider aperture. This gives better sharpness and more pop.

1/1250, f/6.3 (K1 + DFA 150-450)

Thanks for the advice. I will give it a try today.

**jacamar** · 03-15-2021, 06:05 AM

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try them out as soon as I can safely venture outdoors. Round here, a walk is 'exercise' - the same walk with a camera or binoculars is 'recreation', and not permitted.

Good grief - with both camera and binoculars I would probably spend the night in jail! Surely the issue is not the activity but whether you are interacting with other people at close quarters. I have to do a lot less in the way of evasive manoevres on a park trail than on a city street. Still, with locations like Minsmere and Cley in your neighbourhood you have lots to look forward to.

GreenRich · 06-15-2021, 01:49 PM - **1 Like**

Read this thread yesterday and made the recommended changes, definately going to give it some more practice but already seeing improvements at lunch earlier

35mmfilmfan · 06-18-2021, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by jacamar

Good grief - with both camera and binoculars I would probably spend the night in jail! Surely the issue is not the activity but whether you are interacting with other people at close quarters. I have to do a lot less in the way of evasive manoevres on a park trail than on a city street. Still, with locations like Minsmere and Cley in your neighbourhood you have lots to look forward to.

Sorry for the delayed response. I agree entirely, I love Cley and visit frequently - Minsmere not so often, as there are no buses there from Norwich. I was referring to walks in my local woodland and Nature Reserve, where the police were being increasingly adept at interpreting the rules in such a fashion that they could hand out fines. Not my own experience, I hasten to add, but that of others to whom I have spoken.

To set your mind at rest - I NEVER interact with other people at close range, for both my health and safety and theirs. The other week, on my way to Cley, I let the first bus go and caught the next, as the first was too crowded for my liking. Surprisingly, Cley itself was quite quiet, most visitors have headed straight for the beach where they ~~wasted~~ spent their time throwing things around and screaming. The Crown of Creation ? Hmmmm.

**jacamar** · 06-18-2021, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

To set your mind at rest - I NEVER interact with other people at close range, for both my health and safety and theirs. The other week, on my way to Cley, I let the first bus go and caught the next, as the first was too crowded for my liking. Surprisingly, Cley itself was quite quiet, most visitors have headed straight for the beach where they wasted spent their time throwing things around and screaming. The Crown of Creation ? Hmmmm.

You are lucky Cley is quiet - I haven't been there but the Minsmere and Southwold area is a wonderful part of the world. Cley must be a lot different from one of my go-to waterfront parks, where nightime bonfires and fireworks just recently almost consumed a field of tree swallow nesting boxes.

Meanwhile after struggling a bit with BIF with a K-3 for several years I now have my K-3 III and DA*300mm to work with - still not perfect but some satisfying shots.

basrietkerk · 06-20-2021, 09:56 AM

Originally posted by GreenRich

Read this thread yesterday and made the recommended changes, definately going to give it some more practice but already seeing improvements at lunch earlier

Great picture! Keep on trying. The outcome will be rewarding.

**rod_grant** · 06-20-2021, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by GreenRich

already seeing improvements

Yep, I would be pretty happy with that.

**87Duckfan** · 11-28-2022, 08:08 PM

I'm curious-why SR off? Are you shooting with a tripod or monopod?

Originally posted by basrietkerk

After reading all these posts carefully, today I give it a try. Created a user mode with the following settings:
SR: off
Mode: Tav
AF-C,
Expanded area AF: 25
Metering: Center priority
focus with shutter button
menu 16: 3 (focus priority)
menu 17: 1 (focus priority)
menu 18: 3 (high)

Using K3ii and Sigma 100-300mm lense.

So far I love the results.

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02-04-2019, 09:18 PM - 1 Like	#46
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	For birds in flight with both my K-3 and K-30 I always use AF.C K-3 Settings TAv AF.C (Shutter focus disabled) Back Button Focus Metering varies depending on environment SEL Auto Focus expanded to 25 Auto Focus Hold - Low K-30 TAv AF.C (Shutter focus disabled) Back Button Focus AF.C set to focus Priority Metering varies depending on environment SEL Auto Focus expanded to 11 My technique is that I don't 100% rely on the tracking while I'm tracking. I leave the tracking on for when I actually press the shutter to improve the odds of "keepers". I regularly release the back button (depending on circumstances) and re-acquire my own focus while visually tracking by using my eyes. With birds in flight heading towards the camera, I start tracking while they're far away, release, re-acquire, track, release, re-acquire and when they get to where I want them, I capture. By doing it this way, there's less focus throw needed at the point of capture, hence, more chance of yet another "keeper". Last edited by Kobie; 02-05-2019 at 12:05 AM. Reason: Added photos as examples

02-05-2019, 06:20 AM	#47
Mundj Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Richmond, TX Posts: 76	Thanks for sharing your settings and technique. Great shots.

02-05-2019, 06:38 AM	#48
Kobie Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Bowmanville Photos: Albums Posts: 1,211	Originally posted by Mundj Thanks for sharing your settings and technique. Great shots. Just trying to help the community after all my trial and error lol. And thank you for the compliment!

03-13-2021, 09:02 AM	#50
Mundj Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Richmond, TX Posts: 76	Great shots, thanks for shsring

03-13-2021, 04:28 PM	#51
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,336	Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try them out as soon as I can safely venture outdoors. Round here, a walk is 'exercise' - the same walk with a camera or binoculars is 'recreation', and not permitted.

03-13-2021, 04:57 PM - 4 Likes	#52
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,846	Originally posted by basrietkerk SR: off Mode: Tav AF-C, Expanded area AF: 25 Metering: Center priority focus with shutter button menu 16: 3 (focus priority) menu 17: 1 (focus priority) menu 18: 3 (high) Using K3ii and Sigma 100-300mm lense. For birds, especially birds in flight, I find that 1/640 s or 1/400 s is not sufficient. I generally use 1/1250 or faster, with f/8 or wider aperture. This gives better sharpness and more pop. 1/1250, f/6.3 (K1 + DFA 150-450)

03-14-2021, 03:20 AM	#53
basrietkerk Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Hengelo Photos: Albums Posts: 32	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman For birds, especially birds in flight, I find that 1/640 s or 1/400 s is not sufficient. I generally use 1/1250 or faster, with f/8 or wider aperture. This gives better sharpness and more pop. 1/1250, f/6.3 (K1 + DFA 150-450) Thanks for the advice. I will give it a try today.

03-15-2021, 06:05 AM	#54
jacamar Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toronto Photos: Albums Posts: 3,443	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try them out as soon as I can safely venture outdoors. Round here, a walk is 'exercise' - the same walk with a camera or binoculars is 'recreation', and not permitted. Good grief - with both camera and binoculars I would probably spend the night in jail! Surely the issue is not the activity but whether you are interacting with other people at close quarters. I have to do a lot less in the way of evasive manoevres on a park trail than on a city street. Still, with locations like Minsmere and Cley in your neighbourhood you have lots to look forward to.

06-15-2021, 01:49 PM - 1 Like	#55
GreenRich Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Derbyshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 141	Read this thread yesterday and made the recommended changes, definately going to give it some more practice but already seeing improvements at lunch earlier

06-18-2021, 10:14 AM	#56
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,336	Originally posted by jacamar Good grief - with both camera and binoculars I would probably spend the night in jail! Surely the issue is not the activity but whether you are interacting with other people at close quarters. I have to do a lot less in the way of evasive manoevres on a park trail than on a city street. Still, with locations like Minsmere and Cley in your neighbourhood you have lots to look forward to. Sorry for the delayed response. I agree entirely, I love Cley and visit frequently - Minsmere not so often, as there are no buses there from Norwich. I was referring to walks in my local woodland and Nature Reserve, where the police were being increasingly adept at interpreting the rules in such a fashion that they could hand out fines. Not my own experience, I hasten to add, but that of others to whom I have spoken. To set your mind at rest - I NEVER interact with other people at close range, for both my health and safety and theirs. The other week, on my way to Cley, I let the first bus go and caught the next, as the first was too crowded for my liking. Surprisingly, Cley itself was quite quiet, most visitors have headed straight for the beach where they ~~wasted~~ spent their time throwing things around and screaming. The Crown of Creation ? Hmmmm.

06-18-2021, 10:51 AM	#57
jacamar Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toronto Photos: Albums Posts: 3,443	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan To set your mind at rest - I NEVER interact with other people at close range, for both my health and safety and theirs. The other week, on my way to Cley, I let the first bus go and caught the next, as the first was too crowded for my liking. Surprisingly, Cley itself was quite quiet, most visitors have headed straight for the beach where they wasted spent their time throwing things around and screaming. The Crown of Creation ? Hmmmm. You are lucky Cley is quiet - I haven't been there but the Minsmere and Southwold area is a wonderful part of the world. Cley must be a lot different from one of my go-to waterfront parks, where nightime bonfires and fireworks just recently almost consumed a field of tree swallow nesting boxes. Meanwhile after struggling a bit with BIF with a K-3 for several years I now have my K-3 III and DA*300mm to work with - still not perfect but some satisfying shots.

06-20-2021, 09:56 AM	#58
basrietkerk Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Hengelo Photos: Albums Posts: 32	Originally posted by GreenRich Read this thread yesterday and made the recommended changes, definately going to give it some more practice but already seeing improvements at lunch earlier Great picture! Keep on trying. The outcome will be rewarding.

06-20-2021, 09:59 PM	#59
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	Originally posted by GreenRich already seeing improvements Yep, I would be pretty happy with that.

11-28-2022, 08:08 PM	#60
87Duckfan Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2020 Photos: Albums Posts: 400	I'm curious-why SR off? Are you shooting with a tripod or monopod? Originally posted by basrietkerk After reading all these posts carefully, today I give it a try. Created a user mode with the following settings: SR: off Mode: Tav AF-C, Expanded area AF: 25 Metering: Center priority focus with shutter button menu 16: 3 (focus priority) menu 17: 1 (focus priority) menu 18: 3 (high) Using K3ii and Sigma 100-300mm lense. So far I love the results.