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01/27/2007 10:09:24 PM · #1 |
Hi Everyone,
Just left my daughters' basketball game. I have a great lens for shooting indoor sports (Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM). But, had a heck of a time with the auto focus. I shot about 130 shots and dumped about 60 of them. Settings were fine (ISO 1600, Shutter 400, AP 2.0). The game was way too fast for Manual focus too. Was the Auto not reacting because of the low light ?
thanks !
kopa21
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01/27/2007 10:12:40 PM · #2 |
With a lot of lenses auto focus is tough in low light, the best answer for those conditions is to either use a small enough aperture to get everything in focus, manual focus, or if the objects aren't moving (not an answer for your situation) you can use a flashlight to get the camera to see the focus point, then turn off the flashlight and shoot.
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01/27/2007 10:19:24 PM · #3 |
What focus mode were you using? You should be in AI Servo. Also, try using the center focus point, which is more accurate than the remaining focus points. DOF at 135mm and f/2.0 is incredibly thin, so your "keeper ratio" is always going to be lower. You'll have to accurately place your focus point on the area of the subject that is to be in focus, and hold it there to track the subject.
Another sports photography trick to try is "zone focus." Manually focus on a spot where you expect action to take place, and wait for the action to come to you. This technique works well with some sports, and not so well with others. Basketball, unfortunately, is one of those that it is not so well suited to it, but you still may find use for it. |
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01/28/2007 01:19:54 PM · #4 |
Thank you both ! I was in "One Shot" mode ! Can't wait to do it again in AI Servo ! Thanks again idnic and kirbic !
kopa21
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01/28/2007 02:54:21 PM · #5 |
One thing to remember when using Alservo mode. Something that I have done to help with my keeper rate(besides buying a 1DMKII) was to anticipate where I was going to shoot. Push the focus button half way down and tracking the subject and hitting a burst when getting to the peak of action. I will generally end up with a series of shots that I can pick the best of. Fast focusing USM/ring type lens will help this tremendously. The 135 is a fantastically fast focusing lens thats great, albeit a bit long for most situations. You will have better luck next time now that you know your mistake.
MattO
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01/28/2007 03:41:42 PM · #6 |
Thanks MattO. I will definitley use that technique.
kopa21
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01/28/2007 04:08:10 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by kopa21:
Hi Everyone,
The game was way too fast for Manual focus too.
kopa21 |
As most people said use the center sensor, as that is a cross sensor and more sensitive. You don't neccessarily have to use Al Servo, that is more dependant on how yout shoot.
I quoated the last part, because I have never seen where the action is ever to fast for Manual focus. That just comes with practice. |
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