Eagle in flight
Full-frame body + 100–400mm
Track a fast raptor against a bright sky and keep the wings tack-sharp.
Settings
Mode: Manual + Auto ISOwhat's this?
lock motion and exposure, let ISO float as the bird moves sky-to-trees
Shutter: 1/2000–1/3200swhat's this?
freezes wingtips at full beat
Aperture: f/6.3what's this?
a hair stopped down for sharpness + a little depth on the bird
ISO: Auto, cap ~6400what's this?
keeps the shutter where you need it without going to mush
AF: Continuous + trackingwhat's this?
holds focus as the eagle crosses the frame
Drive: High-speed burstwhat's this?
one frame will have the perfect wing position
Dial it in
- Set Manual: shutter 1/2500, aperture f/6.3, ISO Auto (cap 6400).
- AF to continuous + subject/animal tracking, back-button focus if you have it.
- Meter off the sky, then add +2/3 to +1 EV so the dark bird isn't underexposed.
- Pre-focus on a cloud at the bird's distance to speed up acquisition.
Common mistakes
- Shutter too slow — blurry wingtips even when the body looks sharp.
- Letting the bright sky underexpose the eagle to a silhouette.
- Single-point one-shot AF — it can't keep up with the flight path.
Pre-shoot checklist
- Battery + spare
- Fast card, plenty free
- Continuous AF on
- High-speed drive
- Lens IS on / tripod-mode if panning
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