R10 AF Area for birds : Eye detection or an array (expanded section)?

[Mike79]

Will  hopefully be using  my R10  for bird photography (depends upon how well the pain management doctor plys his craft and my reaction) - but YouTubers seem to be split among Eye Detection or AF expanded points.

Can eye detection be accomplished within an array?????????

I can understand eye detection for a non-flying bird, but once it takes flight, it's got to be more difficult to focus upon without an array...of course "Servo" would be employed.

Your thoughts??

Many thanks!

Mike

   

[p4pictures · Accepted solution]

Yes the EOS R10 can do eye detection using any of the AF areas. From the first AF menu make sure you have selected animal subject, eye detection enabled and that subject tracking setting is enabled. 

I often use a square shaped flexible zone AF area to "direct" the camera as to where in the frame to start looking for the subject. Once it has identified it then the camera can move with the subject even outside of the initial rounds of the flexible zone AF area. 

Depending on the size of the subject in the frame and the amount of precision choosing the right subject I need, then I adjust the size of the flexible zone AF areas. You can also make flexible area 1 a smaller square and flexible zone 2 / 3 larger ones and pick the suitable size as needed. I use this for motocross and set the size of the flexible zone AF area to be a little larger than the riders helmet so I can pick the rider I want if several are racing towards me.

You can also use the spot and 1-point AF areas in the similar way, but these being smaller mean you have more precision to identify a subject, and also need to be more accurate initially. 

[Mike79]

Terrific - thanks!