X-T5 Settings, Custom Functions & Other Beginner's Questions

[G_N]

Hello, I'm new to this forum, having recently got an X-T5 to replace my Canon M5. I'm currently using the Fuji 100-400 (for wildlife & aircraft) and Sigma 18-50 (for general purpose) lenses, and am going to get a Samyang 12mm (for night sky images) and possibly the Fuji 55-200 lens as well, which would pretty much replicate my old Canon lens range and complete my setup.

I've been using the camera for a few weeks, and have got some images that I'm really happy with. However, I'm struggling a bit with the overwhelming AF options and modes. If I'm honest it feels like the good results I've got are a result of luck in choosing settings, rather than me choosing them based on anything other than a basic understanding of what they're doing.

1) The "BIRD" setting - is this for birds in flight or birds on the ground, or birds that are feeding, or...what? When activated, it doesn't seem to remove the options for AF-C CUSTOM settings, or AF MODE, so what's it actually doing? I notice it greys out PHOTEMETRY when a subject setting is activated, but that's obviously not in the autofocus menu. Ironically, I've often had to change out of BIRD mode to get decent exposure of...BIRDS. I'd have thought if there's a "Bird" setting, it would figure out everything you need to take optimum images of "birds"? Same with "AIRPLANE" mode - I've still got all the AF options to set, despite it knowing I want to photograph aircraft (presumably in flight).

2) I've assigned the four quadrant buttons to change things like AF MODE, PHOTEMETRY, SUBJECT DETECTION ON/OFF and FACE DETECTION ON/OFF. However, it can get very confusing because it seems to switch modes as soon as you press whatever button is assigned. If you continue to scroll through and press "SET" (which seems logical to select a function), it takes you to the main menu. It seems like once you scroll through the options, you have to either wait until the selection times out, or half press the shutter release button. A minor detail, but I've ended up selecting the wrong setting by instinctively pressing "SET" and not realising it's scrolled to the next option. To me it's not intuitive to not be able to scroll and set my chosen option.

3) Panning - mainly for birds in flight and aircraft flying at airshows: With the 100-400, should I switch IS on or off? Also, which AF mode should I be in? After all, if I'm panning effectively, and the subject is moving in pretty much a straight line from left to right, the subject shouldn't be moving much at all in the viewfinder, apart from perhaps towards or away from the camera at a relatively slow rate.

Any advice on the above much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

 

 

[SGinNorcal]

1) I'm no expert at the focus modes but I believe "bird" is just a fine tune to help it track birds.  I would still expect you would need ASPC to track a moving bird.

3) Keep in mind that Image Stabilization is for camera movement only, not subject movement.  I would use to help steady your motions but you still need the appropriate shutter speed to get the motion blur or not that you want.

[G_N]

3 hours ago, SGinNorcal said:

1) I'm no expert at the focus modes but I believe "bird" is just a fine tune to help it track birds.  I would still expect you would need ASPC to track a moving bird.

3) Keep in mind that Image Stabilization is for camera movement only, not subject movement.  I would use to help steady your motions but you still need the appropriate shutter speed to get the motion blur or not that you want.

 

Thanks.

What is ASPC?

Yes, the shutter speed is important for propeller aircraft to avoid the blades being frozen. I'm limited to a fastest speed of about 1/250".

What tracking and AF modes are best for panning, when the subject is moving in pretty much a straight line?

[Greybeard]

14 hours ago, G_N said:

1) The "BIRD" setting - is this for birds in flight or birds on the ground, or birds that are feeding, or...what? When activated, it doesn't seem to remove the options for AF-C CUSTOM settings, or AF MODE, so what's it actually doing?

I notice it greys out PHOTEMETRY when a subject setting is activated, but that's obviously not in the autofocus menu.

Ironically, I've often had to change out of BIRD mode to get decent exposure of...BIRDS. I'd have thought if there's a "Bird" setting, it would figure out everything you need to take optimum images of "birds"? Same with "AIRPLANE" mode - I've still got all the AF options to set, despite it knowing I want to photograph aircraft (presumably in flight).

2) I've assigned the four quadrant buttons to change things like AF MODE, PHOTEMETRY, SUBJECT DETECTION ON/OFF and FACE DETECTION ON/OFF. However, it can get very confusing because it seems to switch modes as soon as you press whatever button is assigned. If you continue to scroll through and press "SET" (which seems logical to select a function), it takes you to the main menu. It seems like once you scroll through the options, you have to either wait until the selection times out, or half press the shutter release button. A minor detail, but I've ended up selecting the wrong setting by instinctively pressing "SET" and not realising it's scrolled to the next option. To me it's not intuitive to not be able to scroll and set my chosen option.

3) Panning - mainly for birds in flight and aircraft flying at airshows: With the 100-400, should I switch IS on or off? Also, which AF mode should I be in? After all, if I'm panning effectively, and the subject is moving in pretty much a straight line from left to right, the subject shouldn't be moving much at all in the viewfinder, apart from perhaps towards or away from the camera at a relatively slow rate.

Any advice on the above much appreciated.

Thanks.

1) The subject detection options will attempt to detect the shape of the subject (such as bird) - it doesn't matter what the bird is doing - although it finds it easier if there is good light and it can see an obvious bird head or eye.

It will fallback to your AF Mode if it doesn't detect the subject.

You can't select a Photometry option when Subject Detection is set.

2) Some of these are switches (like Subject Detection) which applies the action immediately and some take you to menu (like AF Mode)

3) I tend to leave OIS on in Shooting Only mode all the time but some think you should turn it off for high shutter speeds

[SGinNorcal]

11 hours ago, G_N said:

What is ASPC?

Sorry, fat finger.  Meant AF-C - auto focus continuous