Which exact AF config do you guys use for wildlife?

Started playing around with all the options today, but want to get some opinions from all you vets. Clearly only single point is not enough, especially for birds, and the full-on 39 points seems to make it miss the subject if I'm panning through obstacles. Then there's 9 point and 21 (I think).

So what do you guys usually use?

Nine works best for me. But I don't shoot a lot of critters.

I use 9 points as well, generally. That's enough for things I can logically track even if moving relatively fast.

For something I know will be moving fast, and erratically, I use 21. But then I don't shoot a lot of critters either...

...

Might be overkill but I keep it at 51

Single point AF-S for birds in trees, 9-point AF-C in flight.

BackdoorHippie said:

Single point AF-S for birds in trees, 9-point AF-C in flight.

Click to expand...

Ditto (now).

I have tried 9 for BIF, but never seem to achieve a lock, which do (at least some of the time), using 1. Entirely possible it has more to do with the operator than the camera. . .

I'll use 9 point most of the time.
Also af-c.

I am fine with Single Point AF-C. Tried multi-point and never could get the head and eyes in focus while tracking flight.

AF-S for relatively stationary birds and animals.

AF-C for active animals or birds in flight.

Whichever I am in I keep a mental note going in my head of what to do to toggle back and forth quickly in the event of a change.

I shot a lot of birds in flight last week and I had U2 set up for BIF. AF-C 51 point. I got probably 75% or more in focus with my 70-300 The ones I missed were my fault since I could not move quick enough to get the bird in my field of view.

9 usually works just fine for getting a focus lock.