Autofocus on dark smooth subjects

[Leo Berzins]

I have been trying to photograph a Satin Bowerbird during a courtship display at its bower. Its plumage is like black satin (dark, smooth and glossy) and my Canon 50D has great difficulty acquiring autofocus on it. Naturally I try for the eye or the bill but with a constantly bobbing and weaving target, I often just miss and hit the plumage instead which then sends the camera hunting for autofocus, losing precious moments and missing the active poses that I want to capture. (My lens is the Canon 400mm f/5.6L.)

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

The bird (in a brief static pose) and the bower can be seen here:

[Charles Glatzer]

Sometimes manual focus is best.

Chas

[Jim Neiger]

You could also try using focus lock and shoot when the critical area is in the same focal plane.

[Charles Glatzer]

You could also try using focus lock and shoot when the critical area is in the same focal plane.

I use AF lock and manually tweak, simply letting off the AF LOCK when appicable as this keeps me always at the ready.

Chas

[Leo Berzins]

Thanks Chas and Jim. I will experiment with AF lock and manual in the backyard and then try it when I next visit the bowerbird.