Great video. I bought this camera specifically for birding and was frusted with trying to focus on birds with branches in the frame. One time there was a hawk beyond a tree and I could not focus beyond the tree to get the hawk! With these camera settings I hope to get to the correct focus quickly. Thank you, I hope to take my photography a step better.
You've made a very clear and comprehensive, well videographed and scripted, tutorial, with a great voice and a pleasing pace. I had no choice but to subscribe. Because of old-age ailments, I haven't been able to get out and about the "Atlantic Flyway", anymore to photograph birds, but I can do some macro photography in my patio garden. Having just received the R10, your instructions are valuable even though I'm only a "birder" in my heart theses days.
Thanks! I'm glad the video was helpful for you! It's so light that maybe you could do a little birding around your garden:-) We have a bald eagle's nest (with two eaglets) that you can drive right up to and get amazing pictures right by your car! There are several disabled photographers that just sit in a chair and wait for eagles to fly by:-) Thanks again!
Oh. My. Gosh! Your video is SO very helpful; thank you! (New to photography; new to the R10 - I’ve tried to watch a few R10 instructional videos, but this one is so far the most informative, the most comprehensive for the subject, the most on-point, the best explained, at the best rate/speed for my comprehension and ability to keep up, with no excess fluff/wasted time.) Thanks again - you give me hope that I might actually, eventually understand this camera 😅, and then other Canon cameras as well. (I also purchased a Ti8, which I’m not using because I don’t understand it yet.) New subscriber here 👍🏼😊
also, you are very knowledgeable, have you considered breaking your videos up into shorter videos for each camera you do? you might also consider trying to get some affiliate links to products you recommend like the memory cards, extra batteries, tripods, and lenses?
Thank you for the great video. I am new to digital photography. I used to do a lot back when it was film. Is there a way to save the settings and come back to them? I would like to have one set of settings for wildlife, one for landscape, one for portraits, and one for Real Estate, so I can just push a button and go to those settings.
You're welcome! Yes! Although I don't use these, pretty sure you can save your Real Estate setting in one of the custom shooting modes (C1 or C2). Check out this link to the canon manual: cam.start.canon/en/C006/manual/html/UG-09_Set-up_0280.html
THANK YOU for this video! I went ahead and set my camera up for Birds & nature shots as you instructed. one thing that is really bothering me is that I keep getting all the red tiny boxes on my pictures in "Playback" Also, Do I need a lens hood? I have the 18-150 lens & the 100-400 RF lens. I still get blurry pics. I want to zoom in and get very sharp pics...I hope that's possible. I'm in the learning phase.
Sorry for the delay! You probably have this figured out by now, but the little red box just shows you the exact point where your camera focused for that picture. You can turn it on and off quite easily in the menu ( can't remember where off the top of my head, but it's covered in the video). You should definitely have a lens hood which should be kept on at all times. It cuts down on glare which can mess up your pictures. The RF 100-400 is a very sharp lens although its aperture is slow at f/8. You should be able to get very sharp images with it as long as there's enough sun around. Make sure you're taking multiple pictures with one press of the shutter button. Its normal for not all of your pictures to be sharp but most of them (80-90%) should be sharp. Also make sure you're using the correct autofocus area (aka, autofocus box or autofocus method) and keep that on the target before you press down the shutter button. Don't use the full screen autofocus box unless your target is out in the open without a lot of branches and sticks around it. The more hidden the target is, the smaller autofocus box you need to use. If you don't understand the autofocus system of these Canon mirrorless cameras, Check out my latest video on the eos r5 or eos r6mii. Right at the beginning, I take time to explain in general how all these autofocus systems work :-)
@@lets_go_birding9096 Thank you. I will watch the video for sure. I have never felt so confused in my life!! The whole "triangle" thing has me feeling like maybe I made a mistake buying a camera.
Would it be possible to have all of these "birding" settings in a Custom Mode (C1) ? I wanted to do a custom mode for macro photography, it didn't work because it was not compliant with the in-camera bracketing stacking feature. My other failed attempt with this camera was trying to use flash with the in-camera bracketing/stacking - it doesn't work. Additionally, one can only be in Auto Focus to use in-camera bracketing/stacking. One usually want to be in manual focus for macro. SO - this model does have limitations, for sure, so I want to know if the birding settings can reside in a custom mode before I go Helter-Skelter. Many thanks in advance!!
I have a question. What is the point of the DF button set to Eye Detection on/off if the subject tracking is off? Does Subject Tracking not need to be on for it to do anything - and that is enabled anyway by the AF On button (as you have it configured) to start eye detection with tracking - making the DF button redundant in this regard? Unless you turn tracking on from the menu when you need it - and then it is useful? have I misunderstood?
Depends what your budget is. I'm shooting with the R5 Mark ii and can't put it down! Beats the R5 easily. On a budget, then I'd go with the EOS R7. EOS R6 Mark ii is nice too but it's more expensive than the R7 and only 24 mp :-(
Thank you for this guide! I'm new to birding and just got this R10 camera. Very helpful video to set it up. Question: at 1:11:32 you turn 'Subject Tracking' off. So now your fucus stays inside the boxes. I understand that part. Then you set up the "AF ON" button to put eye detect on, which also sets on tracking. Question: the tracking under the AF ON buttom seems very handy and i will likely use it a lot. Why do you put it under a button and not always leave it on? In other words, why is it handy to have the camera focus stay inside the boxes by default? At 1:11:33 you say "i cant have subject tracking on by default", but i don't really understand why. I hope my question makes sense, thanks for your response!
I've done set up guides for all of the key canon mirrorless cameras (except the R3), and in everyone I use the AF on button to call up a spot autofocus area + subject tracking off + subject detection off. That's because most of the time you want that amazing subject detection and subject tracking on, to help you. In the R10, unfortunately, you can't set it up like because of the limited functionality of the back buttons (i.e., AF-On, and Star). So the way I showed you is the only way you can have two AF modes to work with. I don't know if they can fix that with a future firmware update, but that was the reason I sent this camera back.
@@lets_go_birding9096 Thank you for your reply! Today I tested your settings as shown in the video. The way I used it was to push the Shutter button halfway, so it focused on the bird, and when I had the bird in sight, I pressed and held the AF ON button to track the bird while I pressed the Shutter button fully down to take pictures. Is that how you suggest to use it? (sorry for the questions but I like these settings you suggest, however I want to use it correctly) Thanks!
Yes, that is exactly the way to turn on tracking. That should track the bird (go for his eye if possible) while the bird flies. It's a little awkward to do it this way, but it's the only way it'll work with ER 10. You could also (as I showed you in the video) have that AF on button or star button turn on and off subject tracking, but that doesn't seem to work quite as good compared to turning on eye detection, which in this camera will automatically turn on the subject tracking as well.
Hi, There is no advantage to mechanical, over electronic first curtain (EFC). On the other hand, mechanical shutter has a problem at low shutter speed (early morning or late afternoon): shutter shock, which will make your pictures less sharp.
Sometimes the Eye detection takes of time on my R10/ RF 100-400 mm pair.. what could be the reason? I find it difficult to use in low lights such as in forest conditions.
The RF 100-400mm, with that f/8 maximum aperture, really struggles in low light situations. Also, remember not to even use eye detection, unless the bird is fairly big in the frame and you can easily see the eyes. I always have it off when I shoot eagles.
This camera can take any RF lens and any EF lens (with a RF to EF convertor). Can also take teleconverters too. There is a ~$600.00 RF100-400 f/8, which is a really good starting point. Very sharp, but it's slow at f/8, so it's not great unless there is sun around. For $2500, you can get the very popular RF100-500 f/7.1, which is an L series lens (professional quality). I use a EF 400mm f/4 ISii DO lens, which does not need much light around. (it's ~7000 new!)
PLEASE ASSIST!!! Just rec'd. my R10, and I can't get the aperture to change from "F00", in manual mose/manual focus, whether or not a lens is attached.
sounds like the camera is not communicating with the lens. Try cleaning the contacts on the lens or try a different lens to see if the problem persists.
@@lets_go_birding9096 Turns out that you are correct -detached and reattached the lens, and now I'm not thinking about returning it to Amazon. Many thanks for your quick and correct solution!
If you can afford it, the Canon RF 100-500mm L is an amazing lens. This camera, however, can take other pro quality glass as well (EF 300mm f/2.8 ISii L or EF 400mm f/4 DO ISii. A more affordable option for folks or more of a casual birder, the canon EF 100-400mm f/8 is a super sharp lens and very affordable. It struggles, however in low light (early morning, late evening, overcast days).
Would be lost without this camera-specific and use-specific guide. Extremely valuable. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you. From India
I purchased R10 and using for birding( enthusiast).
Very comprehensive.
Glad it helped:-)
Hey, how much did you pay for it? Also, where did you buy it from?
Great video. I bought this camera specifically for birding and was frusted with trying to focus on birds with branches in the frame. One time there was a hawk beyond a tree and I could not focus beyond the tree to get the hawk! With these camera settings I hope to get to the correct focus quickly. Thank you, I hope to take my photography a step better.
You've made a very clear and comprehensive, well videographed and scripted, tutorial, with a great voice and a pleasing pace.
I had no choice but to subscribe.
Because of old-age ailments, I haven't been able to get out and about the "Atlantic Flyway", anymore to photograph birds, but I can do some macro photography in my patio garden.
Having just received the R10, your instructions are valuable even though I'm only a "birder" in my heart theses days.
Thanks! I'm glad the video was helpful for you! It's so light that maybe you could do a little birding around your garden:-) We have a bald eagle's nest (with two eaglets) that you can drive right up to and get amazing pictures right by your car! There are several disabled photographers that just sit in a chair and wait for eagles to fly by:-) Thanks again!
@@lets_go_birding9096 Thank you. May the Eagles spread joy with their wings.
Oh. My. Gosh! Your video is SO very helpful; thank you! (New to photography; new to the R10 - I’ve tried to watch a few R10 instructional videos, but this one is so far the most informative, the most comprehensive for the subject, the most on-point, the best explained, at the best rate/speed for my comprehension and ability to keep up, with no excess fluff/wasted time.) Thanks again - you give me hope that I might actually, eventually understand this camera 😅, and then other Canon cameras as well. (I also purchased a Ti8, which I’m not using because I don’t understand it yet.) New subscriber here 👍🏼😊
Thanks! I'm glad the video was helpful for you :-) Although that R10 has its flaws, it takes amazingly sharp and detailed bird images :-)
Outstanding, thank you!
I'm glad the video was helpful:-)
thnaks, some great points and helpful hints!
I'm glad it was helpful!
Ultimate tutorial. Appreciate your efforts.
Glad it was helpful!
also, you are very knowledgeable, have you considered breaking your videos up into shorter videos for each camera you do? you might also consider trying to get some affiliate links to products you recommend like the memory cards, extra batteries, tripods, and lenses?
I have but because I'm a full-time professor of anatomy and physiology as well as a bird photographer, my time is quite limited :-(
Superb video. Got me up and running with my new R10 and Canon 100-500 😊
So glad it was helpful for you :-)
Thank you for the great video. I am new to digital photography. I used to do a lot back when it was film.
Is there a way to save the settings and come back to them? I would like to have one set of settings for wildlife, one for landscape, one for portraits, and one for Real Estate, so I can just push a button and go to those settings.
You're welcome! Yes! Although I don't use these, pretty sure you can save your Real Estate setting in one of the custom shooting modes (C1 or C2). Check out this link to the canon manual: cam.start.canon/en/C006/manual/html/UG-09_Set-up_0280.html
THANK YOU for this video! I went ahead and set my camera up for Birds & nature shots as you instructed. one thing that is really bothering me is that I keep getting all the red tiny boxes on my pictures in "Playback" Also, Do I need a lens hood? I have the 18-150 lens & the 100-400 RF lens. I still get blurry pics. I want to zoom in and get very sharp pics...I hope that's possible. I'm in the learning phase.
Sorry for the delay! You probably have this figured out by now, but the little red box just shows you the exact point where your camera focused for that picture. You can turn it on and off quite easily in the menu ( can't remember where off the top of my head, but it's covered in the video). You should definitely have a lens hood which should be kept on at all times. It cuts down on glare which can mess up your pictures. The RF 100-400 is a very sharp lens although its aperture is slow at f/8. You should be able to get very sharp images with it as long as there's enough sun around. Make sure you're taking multiple pictures with one press of the shutter button. Its normal for not all of your pictures to be sharp but most of them (80-90%) should be sharp. Also make sure you're using the correct autofocus area (aka, autofocus box or autofocus method) and keep that on the target before you press down the shutter button. Don't use the full screen autofocus box unless your target is out in the open without a lot of branches and sticks around it. The more hidden the target is, the smaller autofocus box you need to use. If you don't understand the autofocus system of these Canon mirrorless cameras, Check out my latest video on the eos r5 or eos r6mii. Right at the beginning, I take time to explain in general how all these autofocus systems work :-)
@@lets_go_birding9096 Thank you. I will watch the video for sure. I have never felt so confused in my life!! The whole "triangle" thing has me feeling like maybe I made a mistake buying a camera.
Would it be possible to have all of these "birding" settings in a Custom Mode (C1) ?
I wanted to do a custom mode for macro photography, it didn't work because it was not compliant with the in-camera bracketing stacking feature. My other failed attempt with this camera was trying to use flash with the in-camera bracketing/stacking - it doesn't work.
Additionally, one can only be in Auto Focus to use in-camera bracketing/stacking. One usually want to be in manual focus for macro.
SO - this model does have limitations, for sure, so I want to know if the birding settings can reside in a custom mode before I go Helter-Skelter.
Many thanks in advance!!
Hi, not sure... I got rid of mine and never test the custom modes. Sorry:-(
I have a question. What is the point of the DF button set to Eye Detection on/off if the subject tracking is off? Does Subject Tracking not need to be on for it to do anything - and that is enabled anyway by the AF On button (as you have it configured) to start eye detection with tracking - making the DF button redundant in this regard? Unless you turn tracking on from the menu when you need it - and then it is useful? have I misunderstood?
Great video! Is it possible to save these settings
to the c1 or c2 position?
Although I don't use that function, I'm pretty sure you can save all of those settings that way.
Absolutely. You can even Autoupdate C1 or C2, but be careful with that as you can change it unintentionally.
What canon camera would you say is best for birds & wildlife photography?
Depends what your budget is. I'm shooting with the R5 Mark ii and can't put it down! Beats the R5 easily. On a budget, then I'd go with the EOS R7. EOS R6 Mark ii is nice too but it's more expensive than the R7 and only 24 mp :-(
Thank you for this guide! I'm new to birding and just got this R10 camera. Very helpful video to set it up. Question: at 1:11:32 you turn 'Subject Tracking' off. So now your fucus stays inside the boxes. I understand that part. Then you set up the "AF ON" button to put eye detect on, which also sets on tracking. Question: the tracking under the AF ON buttom seems very handy and i will likely use it a lot. Why do you put it under a button and not always leave it on? In other words, why is it handy to have the camera focus stay inside the boxes by default? At 1:11:33 you say "i cant have subject tracking on by default", but i don't really understand why.
I hope my question makes sense, thanks for your response!
I've done set up guides for all of the key canon mirrorless cameras (except the R3), and in everyone I use the AF on button to call up a spot autofocus area + subject tracking off + subject detection off. That's because most of the time you want that amazing subject detection and subject tracking on, to help you. In the R10, unfortunately, you can't set it up like because of the limited functionality of the back buttons (i.e., AF-On, and Star). So the way I showed you is the only way you can have two AF modes to work with. I don't know if they can fix that with a future firmware update, but that was the reason I sent this camera back.
@@lets_go_birding9096 Thank you for your reply! Today I tested your settings as shown in the video. The way I used it was to push the Shutter button halfway, so it focused on the bird, and when I had the bird in sight, I pressed and held the AF ON button to track the bird while I pressed the Shutter button fully down to take pictures. Is that how you suggest to use it? (sorry for the questions but I like these settings you suggest, however I want to use it correctly) Thanks!
Yes, that is exactly the way to turn on tracking. That should track the bird (go for his eye if possible) while the bird flies. It's a little awkward to do it this way, but it's the only way it'll work with ER 10. You could also (as I showed you in the video) have that AF on button or star button turn on and off subject tracking, but that doesn't seem to work quite as good compared to turning on eye detection, which in this camera will automatically turn on the subject tracking as well.
@@lets_go_birding9096 Thank you very much!😃
What is the advantage of mechanical over 1st curtain?
Hi, There is no advantage to mechanical, over electronic first curtain (EFC). On the other hand, mechanical shutter has a problem at low shutter speed (early morning or late afternoon): shutter shock, which will make your pictures less sharp.
I see, it is strange that the mechanical option exist if no advantage is provided over the other 2 modes
Sometimes the Eye detection takes of time on my R10/ RF 100-400 mm pair.. what could be the reason? I find it difficult to use in low lights such as in forest conditions.
The RF 100-400mm, with that f/8 maximum aperture, really struggles in low light situations. Also, remember not to even use eye detection, unless the bird is fairly big in the frame and you can easily see the eyes. I always have it off when I shoot eagles.
So I have the R10 and it came with a 14-150 Lens... Like those birds not gonna come my way for a close up. What lens are out there for this.
This camera can take any RF lens and any EF lens (with a RF to EF convertor). Can also take teleconverters too. There is a ~$600.00 RF100-400 f/8, which is a really good starting point. Very sharp, but it's slow at f/8, so it's not great unless there is sun around. For $2500, you can get the very popular RF100-500 f/7.1, which is an L series lens (professional quality). I use a EF 400mm f/4 ISii DO lens, which does not need much light around. (it's ~7000 new!)
@@lets_go_birding9096 I will need to sell a Kidney for a 400 mm or higher... Japan like expensive..
PLEASE ASSIST!!! Just rec'd. my R10, and I can't get the aperture to change from "F00", in manual mose/manual focus, whether or not a lens is attached.
sounds like the camera is not communicating with the lens. Try cleaning the contacts on the lens or try a different lens to see if the problem persists.
@@lets_go_birding9096 Turns out that you are correct -detached and reattached the lens, and now I'm not thinking about returning it to Amazon.
Many thanks for your quick and correct solution!
Which lens do you like for birding with this camera?
If you can afford it, the Canon RF 100-500mm L is an amazing lens. This camera, however, can take other pro quality glass as well (EF 300mm f/2.8 ISii L or EF 400mm f/4 DO ISii. A more affordable option for folks or more of a casual birder, the canon EF 100-400mm f/8 is a super sharp lens and very affordable. It struggles, however in low light (early morning, late evening, overcast days).
*promo sm*
I know! Thanks:-) I need a clone--just don't have enough time in the day :-(
Not understanding .what are you telling.