EOS R Autofocus points too large

[jsinka]

I currently have an EOS R paired with the RF100-500 zoom lens.  I take a lot of pictures of birds in trees and what I am finding is that the Autofocus is too large when shooting a small bird.  I am looking to upgrade my camera but I am looking for a recommendation for a model with the smallest focus point and preferably with selectable sizes.  I use small autofocus point with the EOS R but it is still too big for warbler sized birds.

[Waddizzle]

“ what I am finding is that the Autofocus is too large when shooting a small bird. “

Small song birds?  The camera is not the major problem.  

Your subjects are small and very fast.  You need to be closer to them.  You may need a longer lens, too.  Wildlife photography can be a lot like fishing.

I waited a couple of hours for this shot.  This was shot at a distance of about 15-20 feet using a Sigma 150-600mm at 600mm.

 

[jsinka]

Thanks and the RF 200-800 mm is also on my shopping list. I have been trying to decide whether to go with a new camera first or the lens. Based on your comment, the lens moves to first place. I live in Northern Alabama and spent several hours today chasing Pine Warblers and Kinglets and I finally got a few decent photos when they came out into the open. 

[p4pictures]

If you update the camera to one of the later models from 2020 or later then you will get animal eye detection, this can be smaller in size than the spot AF point, to use you would aim the AF frame at the subject and then the camera will look in that vicinity for the subject and once found will look for the eye if you have eye detection enabled. 

If you use an EOS R5 or EOS R6, set the initial AF point to anything other than auto, use face + tracking AF method and animal subject with eye detection. For all the other cameras since then - except EOS R100 - use spot AF, ensure whole area AF tracking is enabled and subject to detect is animals with eye detection on.

[Ron888]

Interesting.I have no full frame experience but suspected the answer would be something like this.
I jumped from an M3 with it's enormous center focus area to an R10.The improvement is massive!😅

[p4pictures]

Really enjoy using my little EOS R10, it's a great camera for so many kinds of photos.

[jsinka]

Thanks, I have used the tracking mode on larger birds in flight and it works great. I will give it a try today on some Pine Warblers hopping around in the trees. 

[jsinka]

I did go out today and tried using the Animal Eye Detection. The EOS R only has Eye Tracking which I assume is only for people tracking. I didn’t have much luck today with Pine Warblers and Ruby Crowned Kinglets. I did get a few good shots of a Great Blue Heron flying. It looks the the only 2 cameras that have Animal Eye Detection is the EOS R5 and EOS R6. 

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

After the EOS R and EOS RP all the other EOS R-series cameras - except the EOS R100 - have the ability to choose the subject type; people, animal, vehicle, none, and can track the eye. EOS R and EOS RP will track the eye, but it is limited to human faces and rather hit and miss when used with animals and birds. 

[jsinka]

Thankyou, that clears things up. Looks like a new camera and lens is in my future.