Emergency Action Button: The Secret Weapon for Wildlife & Bird Photography

3/22/2025 ISO 1200 Magazine 0 Comments

Capturing wildlife in action can be incredibly challenging, especially when unexpected movement occurs. Many photographers struggle with quickly adjusting their camera settings to capture split-second action shots. However, the Emergency Action Button (EAB) is a game-changing customization that allows photographers to instantly switch their camera settings for high-speed wildlife and bird photography.

What is the Emergency Action Button?

The Emergency Action Button is a customizable camera function that lets photographers switch to pre-configured action settings at the press of a button. This feature is particularly useful for wildlife and bird photographers who may need to transition from slow-paced compositions to sudden bursts of movement.

Why is the Emergency Action Button Essential for Wildlife Photography?

Instant Reaction Time: Allows photographers to adapt instantly to unexpected action shots.
Consistent Exposure: Ensures optimal shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings for fast-moving subjects.
Flexible Autofocus: Quickly switches to action-oriented autofocus modes, making it easier to track moving animals or birds.
Prevents Missed Shots: Reduces time wasted on manually adjusting settings, which could cause photographers to miss crucial moments.

How to Set Up the Emergency Action Button on Different Cameras

Most modern mirrorless cameras from Nikon, Sony, and Canon support the Emergency Action Button under different names. Here’s how to set it up:

Nikon – Recall Shooting Functions

Navigate to the Custom Settings Menu → Controls → Custom Controls (Shooting).
Select a button (e.g., Display or Function button).
Choose Recall Shooting Functions.
Adjust settings for shutter speed (e.g., 1/3200s), aperture (e.g., f/2.8), ISO (Auto), and AF tracking mode.
Save the preset and assign it to the button.

Sony – Recall Custom Hold

Open Setup Menu → Operation Customize → Custom Key/Dial Set.
Assign a button (e.g., Movie Record Button).
Select Recall Custom Hold 1, 2, or 3.
Configure settings such as shutter speed, aperture, and autofocus tracking mode.
Save and test the setup.

Canon – Register & Recall Shooting Function

Navigate to Custom Function Settings → Register/Recall Shooting Function.
Assign a button (e.g., AF-ON Button).
Adjust settings for high-speed action photography.
Save the preset and activate it instantly when needed.

Highlight Weighted Metering: Preventing Overexposure

One of the key settings to pair with the Emergency Action Button is Highlight Weighted Metering. This setting ensures that bright subjects, like white birds against dark backgrounds, are not overexposed. Instead, the camera prioritizes retaining highlight details, preventing blown-out areas in the image.

Best Settings for Wildlife & Bird Photography

Shutter Speed: 1/3200s (to freeze fast motion)
Aperture: f/2.8 (for maximum light and subject isolation)
ISO: Auto ISO (to adjust exposure dynamically)
Autofocus Mode: Auto AF (Nikon) / Zone Tracking (Sony) / Animal Tracking (Canon)
Metering Mode: Highlight Weighted Metering (to prevent highlight clipping)

Conclusion

The Emergency Action Button is a revolutionary tool for wildlife photographers, ensuring that no sudden action shot is ever missed. By setting up this feature correctly, photographers can react instantly to dynamic situations without fumbling through settings.

Image and video via Steve Perry | Subscribe to his newsletter