EOS R5 Bird photography: Struggling with AF/focusing issues?

[catsongs]

Aloha All,

I've posted a number of time re. AF issues with the R5 when shooting fast-moving, hovering white terns with complex backgrounds and rapidly changing lighting conditions (blue sky to tree canopy).

Mahalo for the feedback from many re. this issue.

And... just stumbled across Paul Miguel in the UK and his many, quite wonderful, YT tutorials.

Paul goes far, far beyond a description of various (Canon) camera settings.

Important for those in non-standard and difficult shooting conditions: Paul actually walks you through, with examples, shooting in a wide variety of bird-photography environments.

This is information, clearly based on wide experience and robust knowledge, I found I could (actually) use for solving my problems: fast birds, low plumage contrast, rapidly changing lighting conditions, complex/distracting backgrounds, etc.

For what it's worth, check Paul out at https://www.youtube.com/@PaulMiguelPhotography

If the UK was closer to Hawai'i, I'd take one of his 1:1 courses. Alas, he lives/works 2 oceans away.

And that's the joy of cyberspace!

Now, back to refining my technique beneath Hawaiian skies and kukui-nut-tree canopies!

Cat

[stevet1]

Cat,

I just ran across your posting.

I can't speak to your learning experience, but your photo is gorgeous.

Steve Thomas

[Waddizzle]

Nice photo!

What have you learned?  What changes did you make?