Point and Shoot Nature Photography: Birds and Wildlife Modifications - Sony Rx10iv

[@rachelwest2906]

Thank you so MUCH, Stephen! I bought this camera over a year ago, and have not done much with it because it seemed like there was so much to tackle! But I am heading off to Costa Rica for a birding and wildlife adventure next month, and was determined to be able to use it. I feel MUCH more confident now that I have at least one solid setting in Memory and a better understanding of how to work with the settings. I SUPER appreciate your thoughtful, clear, step-by-step instruction.

[@StephenIngraham]

Great to hear! Enjoy Costa Rica. One of my happy places.

[@marielos3r]

Greetings from Costa Rica! Thank you so much, Stephen, for this video. English is not my first language and I appreciate your clear, slow pronunciation as well as your step by step instruction.

[@StephenIngraham]

You're very welcome!

[@singerteacher]

Finally someone helped me understand this camera better. This is my hiking, travel camera. Thanks for the help.

[@StephenIngraham]

You are welcome. :)

[@papa.alfredo]

I appreciate very much the time you take for all of us to learn the camera! Many greetings from Germany!

[@StephenIngraham]

Thank you very much!

[@pipyoga315]

I cannot begin to tell you how incredibly helpful this is!! Thank you SO much..

[@StephenIngraham]

You're so welcome!

[@gaildolphin]

So very helpful! I just had your book printed but really love how I can actually watch you do it in a video. I haven't read the book yet, but really looking forward to it. I have been "winging" it too long with out actually understanding cameras and settings like I should. I just got the camera a few days ago and have been so excited. Thank you SO much!

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@63MemoryLane-gw1cv]

Hello Stephen. Thank you for putting this information into terms that are easy to understand. The RX10MK IV is one of my favorite cameras!

[@StephenIngraham]

You are welcome.

[@Compendyum]

This is a great overall tutorial even that you aren't making landscape with this machine. I was wondering how to get he Focus Point Link on and there it is, among with other great advice. Thank you. @@StephenIngraham

[@refill22]

I used your setting and last night I took the best photos ever. A Great Blue Heron posed for me (lucky).

[@StephenIngraham]

Great to hear!

[@AnnieSpit]

Thank you so much for this I am now at last learning how to use this camera rather than relying on auto. What an inspiration you are

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnjury7316]

Agreed, but considering that the camera was introduced some 5 years ago and animal/bird eye AF has only recently been perfected in top end Sony A7s, I am still amazed how good it is. It certainly seems to outperform my Sony A7RM5 with 70-200 GM2 lens.

[@pracquet]

I cannot believe that the RX10 outperforms that combination..

[@krishnastock]

@@pracquet I have used both (RX10M4 & A7RM5 + 70-200 GM2) and understand why. The RX shoots at 24fps with continuous AF/AE while the other combo maxes out at 7-10 fps (depending on mode). This gives the RX a better chance to nail the action! I still have the RX4 but replaced the A7R5 with the A7CR which performs marginally better because of the AI chip.

[@laurasullivan3027]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm going to Africa and bought this camera but was so overwhelmed until I watched this. Many thanks!

[@StephenIngraham]

You are welcome.Enjoy Africa. Which country?

[@laurasullivan3027]

@@StephenIngraham Tanzania!

[@DouglasJLee-hu3ep]

Just got this we-beasty of a camera last week and have found myself in a massive learning curve. Thank you for this info.😮

[@StephenIngraham]

Happy to help!

[@wenlu5046]

Thanks a lot for sharing your setting, exactly what I have been looking for a long while!

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad I could help!

[@bulliethepirate]

Amazing!. Thank you so much for spending your time and recording this detailed instructional video.

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@paulroebuck6988]

Thanks for this. Easy to follow. Brilliant.

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KatzHartz]

Off to Vietnam next week, will certainly put this in memory on my RX10iv and also my RX100M7, not expecting to do much wildlife shooting but think I will be able to use the settings possibly with some adjustments on some of our touring, day trips and street photography. Much prefer taking these two cameras when travelling than my a9/a7iii with assorted lenses which I use for live music gigs.

[@StephenIngraham]

enjoy!

[@breadwater71]

Finally I understod the focus mode thanks, great job!

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it helped!

[@jcb31340]

Hello from France 🇫🇷. Explanations very useful. Thanks a lot.

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ColinMill1]

I have found that, for birds in flight, I have more luck aiming the camera zoomed out to 600mm if I simply sight the bird over the top of the camera and blaze away at 24 fps with the focus set to wide, continuous. I found that if you sight over the top of the hot shoe to the top of the lens hood this line is close to the bottom of the frame at 600mm and by holding the camera out in front of me with the tension of the neck strap helping steady the camera I'm able to judge approximately where the top of the frame is. I'm going to make up something more like an open gun sight using the top of the hot shoe and the lens hood as mounting points that should be even better.

[@StephenIngraham]

I often use that method! Trying to learn it at 800mm as well. I need to go somewhere where there are more birds in flight to practice.

[@ColinMill1]

@@StephenIngraham Thanks for the reply! Indeed, it seems that whenever you go out with a camera set up for birds in flight they don't arrive until you have given up and set the camera for flowers or butterflies. We do have jackdaws nesting on (and indeed, in) our chimney so they give me some practice (to say nothing of half a winter's worth of kindling when we sweep that chimney)🙂

[@susaschweder6685]

That was an extremly helpful Video, thanks a lot. I have rented this camera for 3 months to test it and though I have it now for three weeks I am not too happy with it. I am sure it is because I don't know how to use all the functions correctly. Now that I have saved your functions for bird Photography I will give the camera another chance to perform better

[@StephenIngraham]

Great to hear!

[@alixmcdermott7720]

Hello Stephen - thank you so much for this video, so helpful and informative

[@StephenIngraham]

You are very welcome

[@bellparkgardens]

Thank you so much for sharing these settings!

[@StephenIngraham]

You are so welcome!

[@MancunianWay21]

Very helpful - thanks for taking the time to make this video. A week in and loving my M4!

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad to be of help!

[@MancunianWay21]

@@StephenIngraham Quick query if that's ok. When using flexible spot M how do you move the focus point to a different area of the screen without triggering the short-cuts assigned to the L R U D points of the dial? Thanks.

[@StephenIngraham]

@@MancunianWay21 I use the touchscreen. I know some hate it…but I find it useful despite misplacing the focus with my nose on occasion.

[@MancunianWay21]

@@StephenIngraham Thanks. Makes sense. I’m sure I’ll get used to that with practice! Bw

[@stormydelmar]

Thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for.

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Martyon1]

Thank you so much for this helpful video!

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@housesOTR]

I have a M3 and my wife was jealous so she got the M4. The telephoto stopped working so she bought another. I dropped that one but it survived with the UV lens breaking. Then months later the telephoto stopped working with the dreaded " turn power off and on" message. We were headed on a trip so she bought another. Come to find we had purchased a warranty program and sent it in to be fixed. They telephoto the lens and now we have two working M4s. I get one now. Love the focusing.

[@StephenIngraham]

Great cameras!

[@MisterChrisInTheUK]

Very helpful indeed. Thanks for sharing!

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joostvanbruggen]

I did everything you've suggested.. hope to make beautifull picture of birds in Malaysia!

[@StephenIngraham]

Wonderful!

[@WrittlesCave]

Wow, this is the first time I have gotten to grips with this camera, all thanks to you. Just tried it and it's the best my pictures have looked. Do you have any others for portraits, landscapes or Macro?

[@StephenIngraham]

Great to hear! For macro I use the same settings as for birds and wildlife. For landscapes see my ebook on the Sony Rx10iv. Free here psnp.info/psnp_/?p=1525. For portraits I generally just use iAuto. :)

[@WrittlesCave]

@@StephenIngraham OMG, you are an absolute star!, many many thanks.

[@besytube]

Thank you, very helpful. 😀

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@deborahpowell4162]

Thank you for this video! Very helpful!!!

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pappgyula2541]

Hi Stephen! Thank you for the presentation, which was understandable for me too! I have one question. When you recall the settings you have made the 'MODE' dial is in MR mode according to the tutorial. My question is, after selecting the current settings, should the 'MODE' dial be set back to the 'P' position or should it be left in the 'MR' position? Thank you very much!

[@StephenIngraham]

It needs to be left in the MR position :)

[@MrBillkaz]

You the man Mr. Steve

[@StephenIngraham]

:)

[@ChristineSWAIDAN]

I have watched this video at least 10 times. (Not an exaggeration! Complete novice.) I've gotten some gorgeous bird photos with the settings you have laid out. Heading to Tanzania in a month and would like some tips on shooting videos. Any chance of you doing a video on settings for wildlife videos?

[@StephenIngraham]

I don’t shoot enough video to have figured it out. :( I only occasionally remember that there is a video button on the camera. Generally after the bird has flown or the beast has disappeared over the horizon. :)

[@ChristineSWAIDAN]

@@StephenIngraham Darn! But thank you very much for this incredible video that has made a huge difference in my photography.

[@lynstewart4484]

Thank you so much... easily understandable for a beginner like me😊

[@StephenIngraham]

My pleasure 😊

[@gabyvargas1970]

Thanks for your information, helps me a lot.

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad to hear it!

[@anncleverley4721]

Hi Stephen i set these settings but when go to shoot there a beeping noise a red light flashing. Not sure if i have done this correctly,. thanks again

[@flanneryd]

A thousand thank you's! ❤

[@StephenIngraham]

and thank you

[@anncleverley4721]

Hi Stephen I just reset it again and the timer did not come on. thanks again this is a game changer.

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it helped

[@pqtphg]

Hi. I tried your setting. Love it. Thank you. But I have one question. How to remove the repeat shot. Always giving me 3 shots. Hope you get what I am saying

[@StephenIngraham]

it always gives you three shots or it continues to shoot as long as you hold the shutter down. I set my cameras up to take continuous shots…as many as it can while I hold the stutter button down. In practice, in the field, I only shoot burst of 3-5 images of sitting birds or wildlife (to be safe and get the shot I want) but I might take more if the bird or critter is moving much…to try to catch a pose that i like. So having it on continuous shooting is intentional. You can turn that off by setting your camera to ‘single shot’ in menu. Then it will take just one shot each time you press the shutter, and you will have to fully release before the next shot. On the other hand you might have set the camera to HDR or to multi-frame-noise-reduction. The multi-frame-noise-reduction mistake is easy to make on the Sony RX10iv as it is the first “Auto” setting under ISO settings. You want the second Auto setting…that is the normal one. :)

[@pqtphg]

Thanks a heap for the response and explanation. In fact I was still figuring how to get such focus and sharp pic till I saw your post. Now I am loving my bird watching. Appreciate. Will look for more of your tips. Amateur me working on it.

[@awhittick6228]

Excellent! Thank you very much!

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Tomato1224]

Do you think this camera is still worth it in 2024? Or should I look elsewhere? I use the 3 for work and I love it

[@StephenIngraham]

If you do not need/want bird’s eye focus, and you are not shooting video, then it is still a great camera. I have “upgraded???” to the a6700 and a Tamron zoom for my birds and wildlife.

[@Tomato1224]

@@StephenIngraham thanks, I’ll look into it

[@Tomato1224]

@@StephenIngraham I decided I want an rx10iv, I can’t even look at my canon PowerShot the same anymore, it just doesn’t compare !

[@ericvann52]

This is great. Thanks!

[@StephenIngraham]

You're very welcome!

[@gtaselling]

Thank you for this video. I'm struggling a little with zoom photos - blurry. Any suggestions?

[@StephenIngraham]

If you mean at the long end of the zoom the most likely culprit is camera motion. Try a faster shutter speed (set the minimum higher) or set ISO to “fast” or “faster”. Practice correct hand holding. The bones of our arms should support the camera, not our muscles…keep your elbows in and under the camera as much as possible. Invest in a monopod…and build a bean bag head (see my video). :)

[@Xpandableyouth]

Hi Stephen. Thank you for this video and the details. I just brought this camera and while I was going through this video I do not see the setting Face/Eye AF Set. on Camera 1- Page 6. The last option that I see is Phase Detect Area. Not sure if i am missing anything here. Can you or anyone help me please with this. Thank you

[@StephenIngraham]

Your camera may need to be updated to the latest firmware. I am pretty sure that was an added feature.

[@Xpandableyouth]

@@StephenIngraham How do I do the firmware update

[@StephenIngraham]

@@Xpandableyouth First you need to check to see if the firmware is up to date in the menu system under settings. I am pretty sure if you google this there will be a video or written instructions. It was honestly so long ago that I did it that I do not remember. :)

[@Huumf]

Hi again Stephen. I’ve heard people are using clear image zoom to get shots of birds that are far away. Would you recommend this? If so could you do a video on it? Thank you very much

[@StephenIngraham]

I used to use Clear Image Zoom (CIZ) on occasion, when it was important to get a shot for id or just because I was unlikely to get any closer. In good light and if you keep your expectations reasonable, it works quite well. It actually works best to take close-up of subjects that are not that far away…when you just want to fill the fame, as in tele-macros, or insects, etc. However, the new AI enlargement tools in post processing software (Lightroom, Pixomator Pro, Topaz, On-1, etc) does a better job enlarging a crop to higher resolution, and you have more control. My advice would be to give it a try on a nice sunny day, and see if you are happy with the results. :)

[@Huumf]

@@StephenIngraham thank you 🙏

[@g.k.-shark]

Many thanks 👍❤

[@StephenIngraham]

You're welcome!

[@robhemsley9181]

Excellent video - is there a way you can access the recall screen with all your settings already saved with one button click -if you are on the fly and you want to switch from saved program 1 to 2 fast it’s a bit clunky - you switch off MR and back on and select -or you press Fn click on MR and select - if just like to go straight to one of them with one click

[@StephenIngraham]

Unfortunately I have never found a way to do that. You can program a button to open the memory function…but you. still have to select which memory you want, so it is to much faster than using the function button. :(

[@StephenIngraham]

@Mt Top Memory saves all the current settings. Custom sets only save the settings that are part of that function. It is possible to come close to a BIF custom set with the Custom Settings and then save it to a button. I do that. It is not as comprehensive as a saved Memory though. Take a look at the settings available under Custom sets. :)

[@joostvanbruggen]

Could you answer a question please? I hear people being very enthusiastic about the "bright monitoring" pption on the RX10-IV. What is the difference with the night options under SCENE and why does the camera zoom in so much whilst trying to manual focus?

[@StephenIngraham]

I am not familiar with “bright monitoring” ?? The night Scene Modes. The first one is for with a tripod and the second one is for without a tripod. The second one takes more than one image and stacks them in-camera…similar to what anti-motion blur does…or what Multi-frame-noise-reduction does under the ISO settings. You can turn off “focus assist” to stop the camera from magnifying the center of the frame during manual focus. :)

[@bonko425]

Great thanks 🙏

[@StephenIngraham]

You're welcome 😊

[@billmiller9234]

Thank you, that was very very helpful

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@simmo303]

Set AF on to AEL button. Spot of hot glue on it makes fast to find and use. AF on the focus Lock button good for low down snaps using the screen tilted.

[@PFaust69]

Thank you, excelent explanation.

[@StephenIngraham]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jillferrer3694]

Is this video a modification to your settings for stationary and BIF that are detailed in your ebook? In other words, have you changed your recommendations? It seems to be a combination of the settings used for Basic and BIF. I have set up two separate (programmed settings based on yur ebook (Memory 1 and 2), and am wondering if they should be tweaked. Your insight is so helpful as I get ready for a trip to Africa.

[@StephenIngraham]

The video is certainly my latest version but I can’t remember if it is different than my latest version of the ebook. To be safe use the settings in the video.

[@jillferrer3694]

Thanks, but to clarify - are video settings for BIF or Basic (mostly stationary)? I have two different ones programmed to Memory.

[@StephenIngraham]

@@jillferrer3694 The video settings are from stationary birds. :)

[@jillferrer3694]

Thanks for the clarification. I changed the ISO Auto SS to Fast, Metering Mode to Spot Large, turned on Focal Point Link, and Phase Detection with Animal. I think those are the differences I noticed.

[@jonz_wildlife]

Hello, can I ask i these settings can be used for the rx10 iii as well?

[@StephenIngraham]

The focus system is slightly different, but yes, mostly.

[@jonz_wildlife]

​@@StephenIngraham Thank you so much!

[@Petr75661]

Can I use this camera with the Seek app in my phone to identify birds insects etc. in real time? Or do I have to manually take a shot and transfer the photo to the phone and then open it in the Seek app?

[@StephenIngraham]

I have no idea. I will look into it.

[@Huumf]

Hi Stephen , thanks for the video. How do you set the zoom to 600mm like you say in your guide ?

[@StephenIngraham]

Just put it at 600mm before you save the settings to memory, and it will remember and return the zoom to that setting when you choose that memory :)

[@Huumf]

@@StephenIngraham ah ok thank you

[@wavingback6238]

Very very helpful thank you

[@StephenIngraham]

You are welcome

[@mauri7334]

Will these settings work with smaller birds fluttering in the water and popping in and out of the bushes with water 🚿 showering on them?

[@StephenIngraham]

Possibly though you might get some motion blur. You might change your ISO Min SS to “Faster” to ensure higher shutter speeds. :)

[@mauri7334]

Thank you 😊 I will try this and see how it goes! 🐦🐦

[@mauri7334]

@@StephenIngraham I’m so new at this, how fast should I set it? 😬

[@mauri7334]

@@StephenIngraham I believe I got it. Long night trying to get settings correct, hope they work! Thank you for this video!!!

[@greyhoundsweetsoul.5788]

Are these settings using auto focus as tried it and doesn't seem to. How do you add auto focus to it?

[@StephenIngraham]

Yes, Auto focus should be turned on, but you do that with the focus control dial on the front to the camera. I keep mine set to DMF, but C works well too.

[@greyhoundsweetsoul.5788]

@@StephenIngraham Thanks. I am getting their but finding out how important good light is when taking shots of birds.

[@greyhoundsweetsoul.5788]

Struggling to get sharp clear pictures using set up. What am I doing wrong? This camera is far to complicated I'm finding.

[@StephenIngraham]

@@greyhoundsweetsoul.5788 The primary cause of unsharp photos with the Rx10iv is camera movement. Try setting your minimum shutter speed to a higher setting. :)

[@greyhoundsweetsoul.5788]

Will give it a go. Thanks. Could you do a similar tutorial for photos of the moon. You explain things really well.

[@krenkurts5054]

Now do a video for birds in flight and landscape. We have other memory settings to fill on the RX10VI. Thanks in advance.

[@StephenIngraham]

Thanks for the idea!

[@thecheshirewolf100]

I have the mk3 is it worth upgrading to the MK4

[@StephenIngraham]

If you value focus speed and accuracy then yes it is worth the upgrade. :)

[@susanhintz5591]

I'm in Program mode and my camera does not include the Face/Eye Af. Set. :( Thoughts?

[@StephenIngraham]

have you updated to the latest firmware?

[@ruthcrews6308]

I have reviewed your video for Setting Programs and followed the procedure again using the function button. The only problem is the fn button does not bring up the Drive Mode at all. Instead it shows Bracketing, Off, 2, 5, or 10 seconds. I can get the Drive Mode on the Menu, but when I select Continuous Lo, I get this message: "This operation or setting not available as follows -- ISO/Multi Frame NR. The remaining commands seem to work; however on your video, all the boxes are highlighted while on mine the Flash Mode, DRO/Auto DHR, and Program (Shoot Mode) are not. The remaining settings in your program seem to set correctly. But how can I get the Drive Mode on the screen and allowing me to work with Continuous Shooting? Do I need to clear all settings from my camera and start over? Please, no, but if so, I would appreciate your guidance. Ruth

[@StephenIngraham]

Go back to the ISO settings. The top one Auto is Multi-frame noise reduction. The next Auto down is regular Auto. :) You want regular Auto. If that does not cure the problem let me know.

[@ruthcrews6308]

I have followed your program and now all 12 windows on the fn screen are highlighted. However, the final window says MR1 instead of P, and I still cannot get the first window (Drive Mode) to allow anything except 4 bracketing settings; It also says Self timing during Bracketing Off. When I work on the Program setting using the Menu, I did get the Program to set Continuous Lo. How can I get control of this setting using fn? And how can I get the choices to read the same using Menu or fn? Thanks again for your help. Progress is slow, I'm sorry.@@StephenIngraham

[@StephenIngraham]

@@ruthcrews6308 Can you take a photo of your camera showing the back after pressing the Fn button and send it to me at [e-mail]? Clearly there is still something miss set. :)

[@johnjury7316]

How can the camera be so good?

[@StephenIngraham]

It is indeed very good. If they would add Bird’s Eye Focus it would be just about perfect!

[@ambervanderplas9476]

Thank you!

[@StephenIngraham]

You're welcome!

[@MrKensobon]

Using these settings the images are too dark. Any suggestions?

[@StephenIngraham]

Can you send me one at [e-mail]?. And check your exposure compensation dial.

[@papa.alfredo]

I forgot to ask you, you put the ISO to fast without saying, what that means! The rest of the ISOs I understand, but, I do not understand what FAST, SLOW or MEDIUM means, please, can you comments on this? Greetings from Germany! Alfredo

[@StephenIngraham]

The ISO fast, slow, and medium set how quickly the camera increases ISO as the light level changes. Fast means that the camera will favor higher shutter speeds over keeping the ISO low…so in low light situations the ISO will increase rather than the shutter speed going down…which is what I want when shooting active birds. Slow would keep the ISO as low as possible while decreasing the shutter speed to compensate. Medium…well somewhere in the middle.

[@nicholassoti3706]

hey i have a question and i am hoping someone can help me out here.. I have a sony rx10m4 and i was out shooting a band the other night and for some reason the digital screen says "turn power off and then back on".... I have done it 20 times and it continues to pop up and will not go away.. I have tried all the tips and reset help from the internet.... can anyone help me here and/or tell me why this is happening? I have never dropped this camera, it have never been exposed to any liquids... I would just like for it to work again so i can continue to use it.

[@StephenIngraham]

Things to try: Remove the card you are using and replace it with a fresh one. Switch batteries. Remove the battery for at least an hour and then try. Make sure the flash is all the way down. Go outside where there is no wifi in reach and try. ??