SL3 for birding - help / tips request

[keeping_a_balance]

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Ok, this post may be too hasty on my part, but I have seen some nice bird shots on here with done with what I assume are SL cameras and very long lenses.  

The other day I went out with my longest lens for L mount (sigma 100-400) to try my luck at taking some bird images.  Used AFs and bird/animal detect most of the time.

I started off easy in a pond with ducks:

+One duck in alone in open water, not an issue, generally clear and sharp images.  

-Two ducks in frame started to make the AF jump back and forth between the ducks. 

-trying to get ducks that were in partially obstructed from some brush was almost impossible to do with AF.  Switching to manual gave slightly better results, but my MF skills at tight focal lengths is seriously lacking.  

 

I then wandered bit and came across a heron in a field.  Obviously the camera would lock on to the bird, but there was a lack of clarity to most of the shots especially on the eye of the bird, not sure it the camera is focusing partially on the foreground or what. 

The Heron eventually flew off and I did manage to get 2 of 7 shots sharp while in flight.

some small birds in trees were ok to capture.

I tried some luck with a few hawks circling around, but the AF was so bad I kind of gave up on that. 

I am FAAAAARRRRRR from experienced when it comes to wildlife photography, really actually a newb.  but curious if there is something I am doing terribly wrong, can the SL3 be saved for this purpose or should I just stick with my sony kit for wildlife?  

Any tips/comments appreciated.

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[jaapv]

Solution: use spot focus. An AF system cannot read your mind so it does not know which Duck you fancy and if branches obscure the view it will focus on the nearest object unless it has Duck recognition. The last is a general problem in wildlife photography. I tend to use manual focus if AFs, spot focus and half-press don’t work, which is the easiest way or if I have time and feel lazy, switch to my S5Ii which has good animal eye recognition. 

[jaapv]

I put this on the forum yesterday. SL2S 150-600. AFC. The camera focused on the white Goose and water spray. Which was my intention. Single shot. 

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[Photoworks]

3 hours ago, keeping_a_balance said:

I am FAAAAARRRRRR from experienced when it comes to wildlife photography, really actually a newb.  but curious if there is something I am doing terribly wrong, can the SL3 be saved for this purpose or should I just stick with my sony kit for wildlife?  

yes, this camera does not do everything!

[jaapv]

 

6 hours ago, keeping_a_balance said:

I then wandered bit and came across a heron in a field.  Obviously the camera would lock on to the bird, but there was a lack of clarity to most of the shots especially on the eye of the bird, not sure it the camera is focusing partially on the foreground or what.

Not a focus issue. This is because the long Sigma lenses suffer from shutter slap at all shutter speeds. You need to use Electronic Shutter whenever possible.

[jaapv]

6 hours ago, keeping_a_balance said:

I tried some luck with a few hawks circling around, but the AF was so bad I kind of gave up on that. 

What AF setting did you try to use? Even my SL 601 could handle such a situation using Field and AFs. Don't use AFc for things that are moving more or less parallel to the camera. AFc is meant for stuff that moves to or from you. 

[tom0511]

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Am 10.3.2025 um 10:24 schrieb keeping_a_balance:

Ok, this post may be too hasty on my part, but I have seen some nice bird shots on here with done with what I assume are SL cameras and very long lenses.  

The other day I went out with my longest lens for L mount (sigma 100-400) to try my luck at taking some bird images.  Used AFs and bird/animal detect most of the time.

I started off easy in a pond with ducks:

+One duck in alone in open water, not an issue, generally clear and sharp images.  

-Two ducks in frame started to make the AF jump back and forth between the ducks. 

-trying to get ducks that were in partially obstructed from some brush was almost impossible to do with AF.  Switching to manual gave slightly better results, but my MF skills at tight focal lengths is seriously lacking.  

 

I then wandered bit and came across a heron in a field.  Obviously the camera would lock on to the bird, but there was a lack of clarity to most of the shots especially on the eye of the bird, not sure it the camera is focusing partially on the foreground or what. 

The Heron eventually flew off and I did manage to get 2 of 7 shots sharp while in flight.

some small birds in trees were ok to capture.

I tried some luck with a few hawks circling around, but the AF was so bad I kind of gave up on that. 

I am FAAAAARRRRRR from experienced when it comes to wildlife photography, really actually a newb.  but curious if there is something I am doing terribly wrong, can the SL3 be saved for this purpose or should I just stick with my sony kit for wildlife?  

Any tips/comments appreciated.

- Which exposure time did you use?

- I also would rather use field than animal detection if more than one bird is in the image.

-eventually change the AF-C settings to make the AF distance change faster.

 

[keeping_a_balance]

5 minutes ago, tom0511 said:

- Which exposure time did you use?

It was sunny so I was over around 500 - 1000 from what I recall

 

[jaapv]

33 minutes ago, tom0511 said:

- Which exposure time did you use?

- I also would rather use field than animal detection if more than one bird is in the image.

-eventually change the AF-C settings to make the AF distance change faster.

 

Agree on Field or Spot. I would not use AFC but AFS. A swimming Duck will not move at Formula One speed towards you.

[shefys]

I just watched this video about wildlife photography with SL3/Sigma 500mm and your impression somewhat aligns with the video. I'm not wildlife photographer hence have no opinion but based on the review I do have low expectations 😅

 

[jaapv]

What can I say? I have been doing wildlife since 1988, used Leica M (!!) Long time Leica R, Canon , Sony, Panasonic, now SL and could not be happier, despite Internet pundits. 

[lightsourcekauai]

Hi. That’s my review posted above. I’m a professional nature photographer. I’ve owned my own gallery for the last 13 years. Selling my pictures is how I make a living, but yeah, I guess I’m an internet pundit, too. I think the review above is fair and honest to my experience using the SL3. The video has some examples of birds in flight— White Tailed Eagle, Kite, and maybe some herons. I have other videos from Hokkaido showing the SL3 in use photographing various wildlife like foxes, birds and deer on the Notsuke Peninsula; and the Japanese Brown Bear or Higuma in Shiretoko. I plan on doing a video showing the results of the SL3 photographing the Blackiston’s Fish Owl, the largest, and one of the rarest owls in the world. 
As for the original post, tips for BIF: first tip would be to use a different camera. I’m not being cheeky, I’m just being honest. I, too, wish this were not the case. But for those expecting the best results— most consistently— I think it needs to be said. However, if you choose to use the SL3 please understand that it is indeed possible to get excellent images of birds in flight, but it is difficult. But we’ve made the investment and we like the camera and we want to try so here we go…

When using the SL3 it is important to catch the bird from sitting or perched and then flight. This will give the AF the best chance to get the first few wing flaps in focus, and give you the best chance to see the bird clearly before the electronic viewfinder blurs and lags behind the action. Trying to focus on a bird already flying in the air is very, very difficult with the SL3. The lenses that I have used — Sigma 500 f5.6 and Leica 90-280– tend to be very slow in combination with the SL3. Often times the bird, especially the small ones, have already flown out of frame before the camera / photographer can locate and focus onto the bird.
I would also recommend faster shutter speeds than what you are currently using. I like 1/2500 as a minimum for birds in flight. Faster for smaller birds, and really, 1/3200-1/4000 is a sweet spot for me for most birds, including larger birds like raptors and herons. Light willing. The good thing is the SL3 is very comfortable , ie performs very well at ISO 6400 to 8000.
I would be hesitant to use the Electronic Shutter because the rolling shutter effect on the SL3 will often distort the birds wings in flight, making the images unusable. 
As others have recommended , AF-C and animal Tracking are a no go. For now, it is best to pretend that Animal Tracking doesn’t exist. In the current firmware, Animal Tracking is unreliable. Use AF-S and spot or small field focus.
The key is that you must be very intentional and precise when using the SL3 for wildlife/ birds. This, of course, can be a very good thing! But you must also be very forgiving of yourself and camera,  because you will miss many more shots than what you may be accustomed to when using cameras from other manufacturers. 

As a side note, but relative to the topic: I should be stoked that Sigma released a 300-600 F4 lens for the L mount! I mean an industry first and at a very reasonable price, too! But why would I buy a birding lens for a system that is not enjoyable to use when photographing birds? That’s the real issue for me, an amazing piece of gear at a great price is released but I have no interest in it because I have no confidence in the camera in this specific application. And the same for the SL3 S.
It’s like the old saying, Burn me once shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me. 

I did take the SL3 to Tanzania recently and have posted a few images in the SL3 image thread. But alas, no birds in flight. 
Aloha,

Lee

 

[jaapv]

Wildlife is not solely birds in flight... And yes, it does need better AF for that if you want to rely on it - but for me it is but a small part of wildlife work. BTW-The Sigma 70-200 is much faster than the Leica 90-280 and about the same optical quality. 

[lightsourcekauai]

Agreed. Good to know about the 70-200. I may have to look at it. That’s such a versatile focal length, too. Great for landscapes, environmental shots, and for those occasions when a big animal is near or a small one comes close. 

[jaapv]

It is all fine to think about things like AF speed and other technicalities- I still maintain that a good photographer is rarely hampered by his gear, provided that he knows how to use it and compensate for shortcomings, but even more important is the robustness in wildlife photography   A Zodiac in the Antarctic, Landrover slamming through the Kalahari, Chimpansees in the rainforest, Gorillas in the mud- it is a hard life for camera gear. The SL can take it- solid block of Aluminum, IP54, Sigma Sports lenses are really robust and weatherproof-except for the hoods which are s**t. I have seen aCanon 100-400L break in two, the. OIS on a Canon 300 L fell apart because it was  (non) secured by three miniscrews, Sony cameras shed rubber and buttons,,, 

And I am just an amateur, nobody is going to starve if my gear falls to pieces two days travel from the nearest camera dealer. 

[lightsourcekauai]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

It is all fine to think about things like AF speed and other technicalities- I still maintain that a good photographer is rarely hampered by his gear, provided that he knows how to use it and compensate for shortcomings, but even more important is the robustness in wildlife photography   A Zodiac in the Antarctic, Landrover slamming through the Kalahari, Chimpansees in the rainforest, Gorillas in the mud- it is a hard life for camera gear. The SL can take it- solid block of Aluminum, IP54, Sigma Sports lenses are really robust and weatherproof-except for the hoods which are s**t. I have seen aCanon 100-400L break in two, the. OIS on a Canon 300 L fell apart because it was  (non) secured by three miniscrews, Sony cameras shed rubber and buttons,,, 

And I am just an amateur, nobody is going to starve if my gear falls to pieces two days travel from the nearest camera dealer. 

All excellent points. I had an R3 die in Tanzania in 2023 due to overheating and I had it break again in Alaska in 2024 (top plate was broken?? And it just stopped taking pictures). I paid for the first repair and CPS paid for the second. 
I think it is fair to say that despite the shortcomings of the Leica SL3 in my hands, I still haven’t sold it and I still want to use it. The best advice that I have learned from the forum is to understand what the Leica does best and photograph in a manner that plays to its strengths: Take more time, be more precise, choose the moment carefully and try to anticipate the special moments of the encounter rather than simply photographing “through” the scene. All good habits to practice, regardless of which camera I am holding. 

[jaapv]

Great wildlife country, Tanzania. We are seeing some fantastic work lately by our member @michali who is spending a lot of time in the unknown North West as he is involved in opening it up. He uses  SL cameras. He recommended the SL2S to me as main camera and I use my S5Ii as second string with more refined AF. Superb results and I cannot wait to put it through its paces in Africa coming year. 

[keeping_a_balance]

@lightsourcekauai@jaapv

Thanks for the tips. 

Yes the SL system definitely has it's flaws, but it's still my favorite body to use despite these shortcomings.  When most enjoyed it's when you take it slow and learn to use it's limitations.  

Wildlife is far from something I will spend too much time on, however it's always something that attracts me and may delve into in the future when I have more time.  

The tips are great, will try them in the near future.  But as Lee says in his review on YT, I am definitely not good enough, yet, to not need cameras help.  

Side note very funny that YT algo never showed me Lee's video before, I regularly search for new vids on SL3 and nothing ever popped up... 

 

 

 

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[HPFM]

Regarding wildlife imo the better choice is the SL3s… i own both (SL3 and SL3s). For fast moving animals i use the SL3s with 7fps/Afc and the 500 5.6 with or without the 1.4 extender. I love it.

Edited March 13 by HPFM

[jaapv]

@HPFM Very nice work on your website!