Author: Simon Pierce
A comprehensive guide to capturing sharp, dynamic images of birds in flight using modern mirrorless cameras.
Example Photos
Grey-headed albatross, Southern Ocean
Southern giant petrel, South Georgia
Striated caracara, Falkland Islands
Black-browed albatross, Southern Ocean
Camera Settings
Shutter Speed
- Minimum: 1/4000 sec for sharp wing detail
- Faster speeds (1/5000-1/8000) may be needed for very fast birds
- Slower speeds can work for large soaring birds if you want motion blur in wings
Aperture
- Recommended: f/6.3 to f/8
- Provides enough depth of field for the bird while maintaining fast shutter speed
- Wide open (f/4-5.6) works for isolated subjects against clean backgrounds
ISO
- Range: 100-12,800 (automatic)
- Let the camera handle ISO to maintain your target shutter speed
- Modern sensors handle high ISO remarkably well
Equipment
Camera Body
- Sony A7R IV (or similar high-resolution mirrorless)
- Fast continuous shooting (8+ fps minimum)
- Reliable subject tracking autofocus
Lenses
- Sony 100-400mm GM - excellent versatility and image quality
- Sony 200-600mm G - outstanding reach for distant subjects
- Both offer excellent autofocus performance for tracking
Autofocus Settings
Tracking Mode
- Use Zone AF or Wide area tracking
- Allows some freedom for bird movement while maintaining focus
AF Tracking Sensitivity
- Set to 1 (Locked On)
- Prevents focus from jumping to background elements
- Helps maintain focus on fast-moving subjects
Subject Recognition
- Enable Bird Eye AF if available
- Dramatically improves keeper rate
Shooting Technique
- Pre-focus on the area where you expect the bird
- Track smoothly as the bird approaches
- Burst shoot through the key action
- Follow through even after the peak moment
Tips for Better Results
- Practice with common birds before rare opportunities
- Study flight patterns and behaviour
- Position yourself with good light behind you
- Be patient—many attempts yield few keepers
- Review and learn from both successes and failures