Cannot take ANY focused moving object photos using my new 1D X MKII and my EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L

[LanceA]

First let me familiarize you with my back ground a bit.  I have enjoyed photography off and on for some time.  However, my previous camera was a 2003 Canon 10D.  I really decided to take a bit of a step up when purchasing a new 1D X MKII, the above listed lense as well an EF 24-70mm f/2.8L  II USM  lense.   I purchased a nice gimble, a shoulder rig, 4 large C-Fast cards, extra batteries, etc...

The 4K 60 FPS videos are spectacular through this setup (could do without the Motion JPEG Codec for sure), and the functionality is a breeze.

But I am far more interested in the still photography side of my Canon 1D X MKII and lenses.   I have read the ebtire manual several times and the on-line available AF setup guide from Canon.   My camera and both lenses, as well as my older Canon lenses, have no prblems when auto focusing on STILL objects, but as soon as there is movement such as a large water bird flying by my position, then I cannot get this camera to focus AT ALL.   I have no issues when maintaining the bird (as an example) in the focus area of the lense, then activating the back button focus while depressing the photo button.   Even at 14 frames per second I end up with zero shots in focus!   I have tried almost every AF area selection mode and all 6 of the Focus Cases  along with everything else that a very inexperienced novice such as I can think of.   I really hope that I am simply missing something that someone here can help me uncover.  I am so frustrated at this point that I am willing to pay someone who owns a similar setup to walk me through their 1D X MKII setup to hopefully get to the bottom of my issue.  Unfortunately I cannot find anyone in my area and we no longer have any camera shops around.

Thank you very much for you help and and understanding in advance.

Lance A.  

[LanceA]

That is such good advice which I have already began to follow.  Back to useing the shutter button the way that it was intended, at least until I gain the experience needed to better work with custom settings.

Thanks a bunch!

Lance A.

[LanceA]

I definately considered that, but considering my Florida address, I felt that sitting on the side of the road with a camera and long lens might just get me killed.

I am working on a continuous automatic flight pattern for one of my Drones.  My DJI Phantom 4 Pro + has such features and the capability to shoot back at my location with 4K 60 FPS or the same 20 mgp stills as my 1D X MKII.  However, I am not so impatient that I cannot wait for some largish water birds to arrive (three acre pond in my back yard), but then I also need lots and lots of practice to get to where the majority of this forum's contributors would consider  the basics.

Thanks again, with this type of help and understanding, I will get there.

Lance A.

[LanceA]

Thank you very much.

I needed to first understand what "I" was likely doing wrong/not understanding,  to at least attain a fair percentage of focused shots with moving subjects.  Then at least I will KNOW that it is not faulty equipment and I can move on with my education, for which I could not be more gratefull to this forums' contributors. 

Lance A.

[LanceA]

So,  I had made a novice/stupid assumtion that allowing this big pro camera to automatically set basic features such as; shutter speed, aperature etc.....,  would be safe for capturing some moving subject stills, I was wrong.  My cameras' shutter speed was set to 1/80.  I reset to 1/1000 while at 400mm on moving birds.  I have yet to capture a lager subject flying by at a closer range, but I have captured several smaller (Kites) subjects at a bit of distance.  Every photo, set to HS, came out clear!

Thanks a bunch for pointing me in the right direction.   Oh, I also disabled my lenses' IS for moving shots.  I have sooooo much more to learn and understand.

Lance A. 

[kvbarkley]

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@LanceA wrote:

.   Oh, I also disabled my lenses' IS for moving shots.  

Lance A. 

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Unless you are on a tripod you want IS on. What you want is to make sure the IS is in Panning Mode. Some lenses switch automagically, some have an off/IS On/IS Pan setting and some have off/on/horiz pan/vert pan setting.

Though they are usually called modes, and not "pan settings".

[TTMartin]

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@LanceA wrote:

Oh, I also disabled my lenses' IS for moving shots.  I have sooooo much more to learn and understand.

Lance A. 

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For the EF 100-400 L IS II, leave the image stabilization ON, but, use Mode 3 for moving shots.

[ebiggs1]

"... allowing this big pro camera to automatically set basic features..."

As a rule of thumb, the more advanced and professional camera you choose the less it does for you automatically. That is the way it should be.  Keep it basic until you learn and progress and you will be fine.

I am a keep IS 'on' person.  However, it is not impossible to shoot very nice shots without IS.  In fact the faster your SS the less you need IS.  Remember at one time there was no IS on any tele.  We did managed in spite of that.  Amazing, I know!

[RobertTheFat]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"... allowing this big pro camera to automatically set basic features..."

As a rule of thumb, the more advanced and professional camera you choose the less it does for you automatically. That is the way it should be.  Keep it basic until you learn and progress and you will be fine.

I am a keep IS 'on' person.  However, it is not impossible to shoot very nice shots without IS.  In fact the faster your SS the less you need IS.  Remember at one time there was no IS on any tele.  We did managed in spite of that.  Amazing, I know!

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Ernie makes a good point. But the way I'd put it is that the more advanced the camera, the more difference there is between what it can do automatically and what it can do in the hands of a skilled, experienced photographer. The principal difference between a 1DX2 in auto mode and a cell phone is that the former has a better lens and a better sensor. Everything else requires skill and understanding on the part of the user. But you appear to realize that, so I think you're on the right track. You're at least as well equipped as most of us are, so you should fit right into the group, should you elect to do so.

[ebiggs1]

"...you should fit right into the group, should you elect to do so."

Say, hey! Ditto. Another 1 series guy.

[Waddizzle]

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@LanceA wrote:

So,  I had made a novice/stupid assumtion that allowing this big pro camera to automatically set basic features such as; shutter speed, aperature etc.....,  would be safe for capturing some moving subject stills, I was wrong.  My cameras' shutter speed was set to 1/80.  I reset to 1/1000 while at 400mm on moving birds.  I have yet to capture a lager subject flying by at a closer range, but I have captured several smaller (Kites) subjects at a bit of distance.  Every photo, set to HS, came out clear!

Thanks a bunch for pointing me in the right direction.   Oh, I also disabled my lenses' IS for moving shots.  I have sooooo much more to learn and understand.

Lance A. 

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Take note of the focusing distance switch on the lens.  It really can make a big difference. 

When your shutter speed is pushing 1/2000, or higher, I'm not sure how useful IS can actually be.  I would not worry about turning of IS with that combo.  I'd worry more about which IS mode to use.

Kites are good subjects to use for practice, and to hone your tracking skills.  I find birding is a lot like fishing.  You have to find a good time to go to a good spot, and wait it out.