[Geoff F]

You can still use AI servo. Just make sure that the camera is set up so that only the centre auto focus point is active. Check centre focus point setting in you camera manual. (You can set any of the multiple focus points as the default point).

I sometimes miss a few shots because I can't get the centre point focused on a moving target in time. But I reject more images when using multiple focus points and the camera has auto focused on the closest point not the area which I had intended to be in focus. Sometimes multiple focus points will focus on the sharper background or the 'wrong' bird in a flock.

The problem will doing the 'shutter dance' (hold and recompose) is that, depending on the selected camera mode, the exposure will reset itself for the new recomposed area. The only real answer is to use manual shutter speed and aperture settings or use the Exposure Lock button. Both of which are fiddly when trying to get a quick shot of a flying bird.

Alternatively, and the method which I prefer, is to pan with a flying bird and stay with it while I press the shutter.

My normal settings are Single Focus Point and One Shot mode for static subjects or Single Focus Point and AI servo for moving objects like flying birds. Also, I normally use Av priority for static shots and Tv for moving targets.