SPEED UP YOUR CAMERA

Select the ideal settings to accurately capture changing behaviour and movements

1 SHOOT SILENT

The shutter release noise of a camera might scare any wildlife nearby. Compared with DSLRs, mirrorless cameras produce a much quieter sound. To further reduce the noise, activate the electronic or silent shutter option. If this feature is not available, some cameras have a lockup option to minimise noise.

2 SHOOT IN M

To achieve sharp results, select an aperture of around f/8. The shutter speed should be adjusted depending on the speed of the subject, and typically ranges from 1/400 to 1/2000 sec. Set the ISO for a wellexposed photo, using a high ISO if needed; a sharp, noisy image is better than a blurry one, as noise can always be corrected at the editing stage.

3 SELECT BURST MODE

Using burst mode is a great way to ensure you never miss the action. In this mode, the camera takes multiple frames per second, giving you a better chance of capturing the perfect shot. Mirrorless cameras are particularly effective at this, as they have electronic shutters that perform better than those in DSLR cameras.

4 BACK BUTTON FOCUSING

Sometimes it can be difficult to control both the focus and shutter button operations at the same time. Here, the back-button focus method is a great solution. This allows you to control both functions independently, as the autofocus can now be activated with the AF-ON button located at the back of the camera.

5 DETECT THE ANIMAL’S EYE

Many newer camera models come with an advanced feature that automatically focuses on the subject’s eyes. With the Subject-to-Detect mode, found in the AF menu, the camera maintains focus and tracks the subject even when it moves within the frame. Alternatively, select the Servo AF, which acts in a similar way but isn’t as accurate.

6 ADJUST TRACKING SENSITIVITY

If the tracking sensitivity is set to a low value the camera may fail to track the subject’s movements correctly, which can result in blurry shots. To avoid this, it’s essential to set the sensitivity to a high value. This way, the camera can accurately detect the movement, and record the wildlife’s action in detail.