One more example of the Canon R5’s autofocus capabilities.
When I first purchased the Canon R5 I got many requests from readers asking what I thought of its autofocus performance. I’ve responded several times with examples of photos that I’d have been highly unlikely to get sharp if I hadn’t been using the R5. But similar examples keep happening so today I’ve decided to present several more.
I’m not presenting these photos because I think they’re necessarily aesthetically pleasing. I suspect their colors are too warm throughout for them to have much appeal for many of my readers. And because the colors of bird and background are so similar the hawk doesn’t stand out particularly well.
But that’s part of what makes the AF performance of the R5 in these examples so impressive.
A week ago today the first bird I got in my viewfinder was this adult Red-tailed Hawk. It was very soon after dawn so the light was extremely warm, making the similarly-colored bird and background blend in with each other even more.
As usual I was hoping for takeoff and flight shots but I was pessimistic about getting them sharp because there was so little contrast between the hawk and the background and because the hawk in flight would be so close to the cliff behind ‘him’. Little contrast and a close background would be two strikes against me in my attempt to get the hawk sharp in flight.
Based on past experience I figured that once he took off the only thing I’d get sharp would be the cliff in the background. I had to remind myself that I was now using the R5 so maybe I had a chance to keep him in focus after all.
I wasn’t surprised to get the actual takoff shots sharp. After all, he was likely sharp while he was perched so…
why wouldn’t he be sharp while he was leaving the perch and even…
very soon after?
I’ve left the next shot in the series out because his left wing put his head in deep shade, but he was sharp.
It was about here that I expected to lose focus on him but I didn’t.
He’s still sharp. This is probably my favorite photo in the series because just for a moment he presented his wings vertically.
I’ve left the next photo in the series out because once again his head was in deep shade. But he was still sharp.
This is the last unclipped photo I got of him because he suddenly dove downward at a fairly steep angle so I lost him in the frame.
He was sharp in every shot I got of him. That just wouldn’t have happened with any of my previous cameras – instead I’d almost certainly have locked onto the cliff behind him. The R5’s animal/eye detection feature came through once again.
It doesn’t always come through, especially with very small and very fast birds, but in situations like this I’m beginning to learn that I can often count on it.
Ron
Your fave is my fave. There’s a sense of raw power from it.
Gorgeous bird — I like the warm light. Congrats on the R5 and it’s eye-catching (see what I did there? 😉) skills.
Hope you’re not over-doing, Ron. 💜
“Hope you’re not over-doing, Ron”
Laying pretty low today, Marty.
Wonderful news and an equally wonderful series.
I love the way you captured the master of camouflage in his natural habitat
Thank you – and I hope your back is being kind to you and sitting to prepare this post didn’t give you grief.
Thanks, EC. I’m afraid I’ve learned that my back has a nasty streak.
Don’t we all – but I am sorry that your back is showing that streak. Look after yourself. Please.
Possibly something wrong with me (as if) because I love the combination of warm colors of hawk and background … and no mushiness here, very sharp! I’m intrigued by the penultimate image (love that word, don’t get to use it nearly enough!) … those vertical wings and the dark wingtips that seem to match up with and melt into the rock crevices (or their shadows). Really wonderful series, Ron!
Don’t think there’s anything wrong with you, Chris. Some folks probably like all those warm colors and some don’t. Taste, ya know.
Very nice! And good to hear since I now have the same camera. It will be nice to keep that focus locked, with the 7DMII I too have problems with it locking on the background in flight shots. The CF card came yesterday. I was planning on going out this morning but then when I looked at my calendar I saw my first arrival of my new biologic drug is to be delivered today and I have to sign for it since it is temperature sensitive. So another day sitting waiting this week. I’d like to go out in the back yard and play with the camera at least, I will have to put a note on the door for the delivery.
Sounds like you are doing well with the recovery!
So, it sounds like you got your card yesterday but still no adapter. That must be highly frustrating, April.
I got the adapter late Monday.
OK, good.
Remarkably sharp photos! What focal length?
500mm + 1.4 tc.
Sensational series Ron, thanks for sharing.
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
Very nice, Ron! Glad to hear you are recovering so quickly.
Thank you, Robert.
Gorgeous pictures of a magnificent Red-Tail. It does seem like a great camera, but as always much credit goes to the photographer. 🙂
Thanks, Cathy.
Eye detection not withstanding, your experience with shooting in aperture priority mode and your choice of f-stop make the outline of the hawk pop out from the background. Now you’re going to tell me you weren’t using priority mode.
I like the second to last photo the best, too. Loads of wing detail. Although the big stretch in the third photo is impressive.
Nope, I’m not going to tell you that Lyle. I always shoot in aperture priority and I was here also.
Thank you for helping us to SEE what we could no see before.
You’re welcome, Elizabeth.
Remarkable Ron especially with that background and time of the day etc. Have talked to a couple guys here who are using the R5 and they are very happy with its performance.
And kudos to the photographer who was overcoming a very painful back while taking these.
Get that back back ………….
“Get that back back”
I’m working on it, Everett. But it’s definitely a slog.
Excellent photos. The warm colors are beautiful and accurately represent the hawk’s environment. What’s not to love?
So happy to see that you must be recovering well.
Thanks, Lori. I’m having my ups and downs but I guess that comes with the territory in my situation.
Sounds like you have found your photographic joy in the R5.
Pretty close, Michael. It isn’t a panacea but it’s sure a step forward.
Amazing results!
Of course, new tools still require a skilled artisan to use them for maximum effect. Such as in this case.
I am a fan of hawks with warm color backgrounds. Or cool color backgrounds. Okay, let’s face it. “I am a bird-a-holic”.
No pill’s gonna cure my ill.
(Sharing my earworm.)
Earworm caught, Wally. Thanks for that… 🙂
Although I’m gratified to be able to open up “Feathered Photography” again
since your surgery, I’m wondering how– maybe you prepared several days’
posts in advance and just have to press “send” ? Your determination reminds
me of the intrepid painter, Frida Kahlo, using a mirror suspended overhead
so she could paint self-portraits while supine in her bed. GO, RON !
Nope, I processed these photos last night and wrote the text this morning. It may come to that though. Or not posting on some days.
Amazing results! I struggle to keep a bird in focus with 9-point center focus. The animal eye in this case is so tiny. Unbelievable.
Thanks, Kenneth. I continue to be impressed (usually) by Canon’s relatively new AF system.
NICE! A definite plus for the camera and what you use it for! 🙂
Thanks, Judy.