Camera settings for Wildlife Photography

[@randallcotten5069]

Love, love, love your common sense, practical approach. (I don't want to say "old school" even though that might apply as well.) This is the best way to handle ISO and focusing. Too many people spend way too much time banding about which camera has the best auto focus / tracking and low light performance. You've taken that discussion off the table and made it insignificant by simple not mentioning it. Each camera is different, yes, and pretty much any camera can do the job if you learn how to use it well. Thank you for reminding me of these important things.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Thanks

[@billcoote1692]

Some very good advice here, thanks Mr Lane 😊

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

My pleasure!

[@kazhilly]

What a brilliant video, this is exactly why KZbin can be such a Wonderful resource of useful information.

[@allenthomas4280]

I've been watching photography videos for 5 years practically daily and probably average 3 or more a day. This may be the best of it's type. I've recently come across your videos and love the few I've watched. I use manual most all the time. Thanks for your channel!

[@wcbibb]

I use the G9 with the Panasonic-Leica100-400mm. Thank you for the information. Experience is the best teacher, but an experienced teacher saves much trial and error.

[@stephenedmunds207]

Very pleased i stumbled onto this channel. Just down to earth advice based on experience ,brilliant!

[@ianbrown704]

Brilliant info from a photographer who takes first class images, thank you

[@iqueque]

An invaluable set of tips for me. I have never used anything but spot metering, seldom used CAF, almost always shoot at ISO 200. Time to break old habits and make better use of Olympus’ amazing technology. Thanks Mike.

[@gerarbara]

An excellent summary Mike. I normally take landscape photos but have been taking more wildlife photos recently. truth is, I'll photograph anything. When shooting wildlife, I tend to use Shutter Priority at whatever is necessary but set iso to auto. I get some very good results.

[@timothylatour4977]

Excellent advice! Thanks so much. Your advice on ISO selection is so simple yet so brilliant. I will be doing that very test tomorrow.

[@tomadunia8883]

Thank you. Great video sir

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

So nice of you

[@togwithbob2022]

Very Interesting.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Glad you think so!

[@imagenatura]

Love your tip on identifying acceptable ISO.

[@vicente1678]

Genial ha sido un repaso completo a lo importante cuando ya vas dominando la cámara y la técnica. Muy buen video y muchísimas gracias por compartir esos grandes conocimientos

[@jonathanashton4758]

Thanks Mike, I think that was an excellent review. I appreciate we all have our own idea over the "correct settings", coming to CAF v SAF (continuous v single focus) I rarely use single focus, my logic being that I seldom use a tripod so even when I am still I will probably be moving slightly and similarly for the subject. The consequence being the shutter fires when the subject is in focus.

[@jasonfranklin8604]

Very informative and so great tips, thank you

[@joebrennan1272]

Top class advice as ever MIke. As a member of Arden Group I had hoped to see you there so I could pick your brains. However as I watch all of your video's many of my questions have been answered, with the exception of 'Do you use back button focus, if not why not'? Please keep the video's coming.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Ho Joe, I tried back button focus for a few days once. Did not suit my hands. Found it very awkward to get my thumb onto button and turned it off. Like most things if I persisted maybe I would get used to it.

[@rinzevnrossum]

This video is very helpful;

[@touchedbynature5445]

Excellent advice. I remember shooting 120 roll film for weddings and portraits using the light meter then setting the exposure with a aperture at around f8. What a discovery to use digital Cameras it took me some time to realise I had continuous shooting mode for Wildlife photography I was so used to taking one shot at a time, each time I went to take a shot the voice of my ex boss would ring in my ear don't waste film.Thank goodness for aperture priority and Digital Cameras. Many thanks for sharing.

[@CheikoSairin]

I'm also using the Olympus camera and thanks for sharing this helpful setting. You got 1 like from me. Greeting from Singapore.

[@MrAppoline]

What a great channel from someone so experienced and expert in his field. Lots of great information and advice. I will try the ISO test. Interesting about aperture priority. That was always my default having come from 35mm film but with DSLRs/mirrorless I now tend to use manual with auto ISO because ISO is so much better with digital systems. That way I can be more predictable with depth of field and exposure time. I should probably experiment with the flexible priority mode (Fv) on the EOS R.

[@itaylorm]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Helpful

[@glathoppa]

Superb videos. No nonsense, great advice, lots of brilliant tips and tricks. Many thanks!

[@davelock3166]

Great video, well explained.

[@twin-bridge-gillie]

Well, that was enlightening! I was not aware of this bird. Here in Northern Michigan, we have Mergansers who dart about underwater chasing trout on my home waters of the Au Sable. These Goosanders seem to be a bit larger and tamer. But, that is usually the case on more urban waters. Always enjoy your videos, thanks!

[@oarecarerobert3764]

Huge thanks, Mike. I'm at the beginning with photography and I hope I will be able to take some nice photo of a kingfisher sometime. Your videos are absolutely great. Maybe someday you will present us your gear, I think it will be great. Thank you!

[@raytbrown2]

Awesome video. Thank you!

[@mylittleninjas]

Thank you Mike, great video😁

[@SkylarkFields]

This was such an informative video with everything explained so clearly that even I can understand it! Thank you for this. Really looking forward to sitting down and watching the rest of your videos!

[@wayneemery5709]

Excellent thanks very much especially considering I shoot with Olympus as well. 👍

[@Henry30065]

I really enjoy your videos Mike. Your knowledge of wildlife and birds is impressive. I also like your very down to earth approach to photography equipment. Well done and keep up the good work. Alun

[@BosePhotography]

Great video. Also some lovely photos in there. Hannah

[@KGsPhotography]

Great tips as usual Mike. My personal preference is manual exposure with auto ISO and then I over or under expose as required depending on subject and background colours and light levels. I will then use the shutter speed to keep the ISO as low as possible whilst maintaining. High enough speed for the subject. Cheers Keith

[@alasdairmackenzie905]

Same here, although I do set an upper limit of 1600 on auto ISO

[@robertlawrence7958]

Good, sound, no-bullshit advice as always.

[@peterkemp4372]

A man of experience👍👍 thanks for your perch ideas and great info in this video. All the best from the Bahamas. Stay safe, happy winter birding, if any?

[@stans6582]

Thanks, Mike good info

[@BizzleByron]

Just remember that you can ‘fix’ noise in post. You can never fix motion blur, don’t be afraid to push the high ISO’s

[@timothylatour4977]

Exactly!

[@davidosborn3356]

Always an enjoyable must watch fix.

[@AndyWild]

Excellent information

[@peterebel7899]

Great Pictures! Congratulation.

[@garethbramley1]

This is great stuff Mike and I will revisit this tutorial again later. I've been taking some pictures of a kingfisher diving and flying off. I have the camera set to AFS and use shutter speed shooting mode - now increasing it to 4000 most of the time. I also use a single point focus. However, I think because I am still quite some distance away using the 1000-400mm Panasonic lens (with the Panasonic G9) this might be the reason that the shots are not sharp after the first two or three? There didn't seem to be much difference between 3000 and 4000; and the camera showed that it didn't really like 5000 even though it was sunny (it was a struggle to keep focus whilst the bird was perched). I need a stronger lens and noticed there's an OM 150-600mm lens which is compatible with my G9 - but it would, I think, mean that I lose the DUAL image stabilisation I get from using my Panasonic G9 with the Panasonic 100-400 lens. This lens costs around £2500 too so it's not something I want to bother with unless it's worthwhile. It would be nice to know what you think - plus maybe I should use AFC rather than AFS to capture the diving / flying?

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Yes you need to be on C-AF for flying birds. The OM 150-600mm is not available yet, but the reviews on YT are postive. You will lose the dual IS. I use the Lumix G9 Mk2 with my OM lenses frequently, but mostly for video.

[@garethbramley1]

Thanks. I will try that although using AFS *has* produced some good results when tracking a grey heron flying over the water. I think I chose this setting after watching someone else's video on the G9 - but that was 2 years back. The G9 is great but I don't really need the updated model. I note what you say about the lens - didn't realise it wasn't available yet. Maybe Panasonic will produce one IDC - I love their Lumix cameras and lenses. Just need some decent weather again - this winter has been abortive for photography.

[@mikesphotography7185]

Good common sense video thanks Mike

[@miltonwelch8619]

I shoot with the approach that post processing is not an option, so I try to get everything 'right'. I'm stuck that way from decades of film shooting. Great video!

[@JoeHTX]

Thank you, those are all some good tips and instructions.

[@derricksalisbury7631]

Great info Mike lots to try out thanks

[@stevevickers2844]

Great video as ususal and very informative. You didn't mention "back-button" focusing and I would love to know your thoughts on this method.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

I do not feel it suits my hands and soon switch back to normal when I try it.

[@rayjenkins2754]

You defiantly covered in good detail all the important areas. Have you used ' Electronic First Curtin Shutter ' for birds in flight. My Pany G9 has it & I was wondering about the downsides of EFC. Thanks for a well done presentation.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Hi Ray, No never used it.

[@mywildlifestories3793]

Thank you for the tips Sir

[@royspilsbury2155]

Tiptop

[@maryzed1014]

thank you,those are some good tips

[@RJPhotographics]

Thanks for the advice. Think I'll keep spot metering for static creatures, and will try evaluative for BIF - spot gave me a few underexposed images.

[@marktizard7273]

Great video

[@diveactive]

Mike you said something about electronic and another shutter . Is that just the difference from ae av TV and m ?

[@andrewmurphy8154]

I really appreciate all your videos and frank advice. Any thoughts on manual exposure with auto-ISO? With modern sensors and de-noising software, I would think this would give the greatest creative control; but perhaps you prioritize a low-ISO?

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

I do prioritize low iso's, but as sensors get ever better maybe it is time to try something new.

[@sh8736]

I only ever shoot on manual letting the iso change although do fix that too some times. This is for every thing, wild life, land scape, portrait dance and theatre work. Recommend it 😀

[@snapon1948]

Hi Gary I only have APC Camera. Would I have to have a Full Frame camera to get the best quality photos I couldn’t afford to change all my lenses . Do all wildlife Photographers . Use Full frame or Both. ( Canon m50. Nikon D7000.) thanks

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Not sure who Gary is, so maybe I should not be answering this, but there is no diiference in quality between full frame and smaller chipped ones such as MFT cameras. Many would tell you there is, but not me. Wildlife photographers use all of them.

[@snapon1948]

@@MikeLaneFRPS Hi Mike sorry I doint know How I got Gary. That’s what I get for not checking my post, so if get a good quality crop sensor lens , Enjoyed your videos just starting to put some kit together Thanks

[@johngunning2123]

I agree with all your comments. Do you use back button focus and on Canon cameras which "Picture style" setting do you recommend?

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

I tried back button focus for a few days once. Did not suit my hands. Found it very awkward to get my thumb onto button and turned it off. Like most things if I persisted maybe I would get used to it. Been a while since I sold my Canon gear, but I seem to remember I used Natural as Picture style and changed the sharpness to maximum so the built in jpeg in the raw looked better on the camera screen. As I shot raw this was overridden when I processed the images.

[@johngunning2123]

@@MikeLaneFRPS Thanks Mike.

[@agnespitter2624]

My I Have a question: do you switch IBIS on or off when shooting on tripod and panning or tilting? Thanks!

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

I never switch it off. I can see no ill affects

[@agnespitter2624]

@@MikeLaneFRPS Thank you, so will I do on my e-m1.

[@mrmoon7768]

I always use A mode with manual iso

[@kumarjoglekar1]

Dear Mike I do nature and wildlife ( birding ) photography. If I want to to shoot in apperture priority should I set the ISO in Auto or set the min, and max. limit for ISO. I am using MFT - Lumix G 85 camera with 100 - 400 lens. Please advise.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

I prefer to set the iso manually so it is the shutter speed that changes, but if I was using auto iso I would certainly set the minimum iso it shold go to. The maximum I would probaly not set.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

Quite shocked that you use aperture priority myself I use manual all the time in conjunction with zebras and whole scene metering its 2 settings to change iso and shutterspeed which I think is pretty manageable.

[@gastonmessier2192]

I use Fujifilm XT-1 or X-H1.

[@barbarybar]

How would you set your ISO settings?

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Hi, Not sure what you are asking. With the dial would be the answer, but I think you must be asking something else. I typically use 400 to 1600 iso, but sometimes faster.

[@barbarybar]

@@MikeLaneFRPS I was just wondering if you manually set your ISO or just put it on auto.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

@@barbarybar Hi, I do it manually.

[@rogerparrish803]

Mike, did you remove my comment. If you did it really shocks me. I assume that the answer is you decided against Olympus, OM1 & 150 - 400 lens.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

HI Roger, I have probably never deleted a comment, but I have blocked people. As I have received this message you are not blocked, but I can see no previous comment from you going back 2 weeks. Could you repeat it please.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

I have found a comment from you and I had replied to it. Roger Parrish Roger Parrish 10 hours ago Hi Mike, what are your thoughts now on the OM1 and the 150-400 lens. After your last comments on them I assumed they were were to be your equipment of choice. Will you be running both groups in tandem or waiting to sell one set. I am a OM1 and 150-400 user which I personally find wonderful. I must admit I was looking forward to ideas and inspiration coming forth from your excellent videos. Regards Roger. Mike Lane FRPS Mike Lane FRPS Mike Lane FRPS 7 hours ago I have sold the Sony gear, but have lots of video and stills taken with it still to show. Very happy with the Om-1 and 150-400mm. It was under the film on cranes, but is not showing there only in my list of comments. i do not know why. Not the first time I have noticed strange things happening to comments.

[@rogerparrish803]

@@MikeLaneFRPS Mike, I am so pleased to here from you. I really couldn’t imagine you wouldn’t reply. I am so sorry I never received your reply in time. My reply to you now, is totally unfounded. Thank you so much. Regards Roger.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

@@rogerparrish803 No problem. Oddly it now does appear under the video, but only with my first reply. I will look tomorrow to see if it updates given time.

[@rogerparrish803]

@@MikeLaneFRPS Hi Mike, thank you for your prompt replies, let's now move on in our lives. I am delighted you are staying with OM systems. You bring facts, truth and reality into a shallow, nonsense filled world of hype, and pure marketing trash. Regards Roger.

[@diveactive]

Differences from electronic shutter and mechanical shutter ? Thays what I meant

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Hi Gary, A mechanical shutter was in all the older digital cameras. It is a shutter with moving parts. An electronic shutter has no moving parts and therefore allows advanced features such as much faster shutter speeds, pro capture and total silence. I only use the mechanical shutter on the odd occasions I use flash. Currently you can't use flash with an electronic shutter. A mechanical shutter is set under the setting where you select frame rates. Not connected to M, TV or AV