350 RebelXT help pleeeeeezee... - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/08/2006 08:59:15 AM · #1

OK...just learning my rebel but I find myself relying on my Olympus 500Evolt for clarity and focus. For some reason, I cannot get a good focus shot with my rebel. Using the 75-300mm, taking shots 50 yards out of the seagulls on the jetty, I can't seem to get one clear shot. I have it set on Large/Fine...should that be changed? i know I'm not fully aware of how to use this camera yet, but I usually figure things out pretty quickly and this has me stumped. I keep changing the dial in the viewfinder, but can't find that "perfect zone". I'm going out to shoot 3-4 year olds playibg soccer this morning. It is cloudy and overcast outside, and these keids don't move quickly at all. LOL. What should be my settings and what mode should I try these shots on. I really appreciate all the help i get here so thanks in advance to whoever comes to my rescue!!
Signed,

Blonde at the Beach

kenskid

Nikon D700

04/08/2006 09:08:55 AM · #2

What is the shutter speed you are using? With a 70-300 mm lens, you should use a "high" shutter speed....at least over 1/500 sec or higher if possible.

The "longer" the lens mm the faster shutter speed you need to get a steady shot. Of course with the fast shutter you will need good/lots of light on the subject.

The above has been my personal experience!

Hope this helps...

...can you post a few shots?

Message edited by author 2006-04-08 09:10:24.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

04/08/2006 09:08:58 AM · #3

Is your shutter speed high enough for use with a long lens? At 300mm, you would normally need a shutter speed of 1/500 of a second or faster. That's one thing to consider.

edit: too slow again.

Message edited by author 2006-04-08 09:09:32.

kenskid

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/08/2006 09:11:39 AM · #4

You may have been too slow...but your 1/500 shutter speed is better than the 1/300 I had posted !

KS

Originally posted by AJAger:

Is your shutter speed high enough for use with a long lens? At 300mm, you would normally need a shutter speed of 1/500 of a second or faster. That's one thing to consider.

edit: too slow again.

04/08/2006 09:14:49 AM · #5

I'll post a couple, thanks, and YES, my shutter speed was too slow. THANK YOU!!

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

04/08/2006 09:23:04 AM · #6

ok here are a couple...mind you, I had these set at default modes, landscape and close-up...from fear of not being comfortable with other settings yet...they both took at 1/400 shutterspeed. I KNOW...just learning here

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/08/2006 09:25:00 AM · #7

First things first set the diopiter of the view finder to match you shooting eye for clearness.

Is there any part of your shoots clear? Like the cam is focusing somewhere else. First thing to learn is the AF point indicators in the viewfinder. Start out by setting it to the center AF point only and try some shots. Set you camera to Single Shot AF mode and Compose your static shots with the center AF point.

Between you and me, I have set mine to Center AF point and have been shooting with it there for two years. Having all 9 or 7 AF points enabled will produce some weird focusing results at first.

Seagulls moving, I would be in AI Servo mode to track the movement, anything that moves toward or away from you can become out of focus quickly. Also a smaller aperture f/9 or f/11 or better will give you a larger DOF giving you more room for movement.

At a soccer game I would probably be shooting Av mode with larger Aperture to blur the background, Center AF point only, AI Servo Mode, I would start with an ISO of 200 to attain faster shutter 1/640sec-800 depending on the brightness of the stadium.

What mode are you shooting your rebel now?

The auto modes can choose some funny things for you sometimes, learn the Creative Side Av, Tv and M modes for full control of the camera.

ED: Sorry a little slow, as you answered some of the questions while I typed this, I am only on my first cup of coffee... :)

Message edited by author 2006-04-08 09:28:45.

kenskid

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/08/2006 09:28:53 AM · #8

Hello again,

The close up of the bird looks much like many of my shots when using my long lens. I can see that it is overcast or somewhat cloudy in the shot. This leads one to need to use a slower shutter speed...which will increase the "motion blur". I pray for lots of light when I use my 300mm lens.

Another fix would be to increase your ISO a little. This will allow you to use a faster shutter speed while still getting a little more "light" on your sensor. However, no matter what the ISO or light..you will still need a minimum of about 1/500 to get a steady shot.

EDIT: Ooops....I forgot my best buddy...I have an SB800 flash for my camera. It does well with my long lens for objects that are say...less than 200 feet out.

EDIT again: This kitty was taken at about 150 feet using my 300mm lens and my flash.

Originally posted by dolphnz8:

Message edited by author 2006-04-08 09:33:00.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

04/08/2006 09:33:12 AM · #9

Andy, thanks a million. My hesitant side of manually working the camera myself was relying on the camera to focus itself. just looking over some pics I took with random AF points, you are right. The focus seems to move around. Gonna take your info, (and my manual :P) and work on Av, Tv settings. You know how it is when you want to capture a moment but don't want to miss it by using the wrong manual settings?? You think the camera will do it for you!!

Thanks to you all for your input. Gonna work with that today!! Will post much better shots after the soccer game...Most of them will be of the girls off on the side picking flowers or something!! LOL

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/08/2006 09:34:29 AM · #10

What Kenskid said, overcast beach day with a long (slower) lense, count on ISO 400 or 800 (at least) to bring the shutter speed up.