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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Do I need a monopod for an IS lens?
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Showing posts 26 - 35 of 35, (reverse)
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 03/16/2009 12:23:48 AM · #26
I thought I would be fine too - I had the auto focus on. Some came out okay, but mostly the ones that came out better were the ones where I tried to predict the action, i.e, baserunner on 2nd, focus on 3rd base and wait for the runner to come into the shot. If I tried to follow the runner with the autofocus it usually missed and got the background in focus instead.

even the ones that seem in focus still seem grainy. could it be the filter I used? I used an inexpensive uv filter - or would that have nothing to do with it?

Originally posted by jbsmithana:
Originally posted by BJ:
Hi,

I tried to keep the focal length under 200mm - the shutter speed averaged from 1000 to 1600 with ISO at 400.


With shutter speeds that high, over 1/1000, at 200mm you should have been golden! If focus was a problem maybe you needed to be on predictive focus setting (as used for moving subjects)? Did you choose a spot for focus and make sure it was on the subject? Or if the camera was choosing the focus point it likely was not catching the right subject.
03/16/2009 12:26:13 AM · #27
When I shoot baseball, I turn on AIservo, but I also keep it just on the center focus point and crop things later so they're not centered. when I tried putting on all focus points, it never guessed correctly.
 03/16/2009 12:28:58 AM · #28
Yes I think that's what I did.

Thanks for the tip.
 03/16/2009 12:29:35 AM · #29
Originally posted by BJ:
I thought I would be fine too - I had the auto focus on. Some came out okay, but mostly the ones that came out better were the ones where I tried to predict the action, i.e, baserunner on 2nd, focus on 3rd base and wait for the runner to come into the shot. If I tried to follow the runner with the autofocus it usually missed and got the background in focus instead.

even the ones that seem in focus still seem grainy. could it be the filter I used? I used an inexpensive uv filter - or would that have nothing to do with it?



I'm not familiar with the Canon 350D focus system so I could not say. It is an older body so the focus system may not be fast enough and be more affected by the filter or panning. Sounds like you are doing the right thing by predicting the action yourself. I do that with birds when I can.
 03/16/2009 12:31:46 AM · #30
One other thought--do you have the IS that has two modes? If so, you want to put it on the panning mode. I've heard that the old IS when panning doesn't work well.
 03/16/2009 12:36:40 AM · #31
yes it does - I left it on mode 1 - I think you are right - I think I should have switched to mode 2 for panning - I never even thought of that! thanks for pointing that out.

Originally posted by vawendy:
One other thought--do you have the IS that has two modes? If so, you want to put it on the panning mode. I've heard that the old IS when panning doesn't work well.
03/16/2009 12:39:37 AM · #32
Originally posted by vawendy:
One other thought--do you have the IS that has two modes? If so, you want to put it on the panning mode. I've heard that the old IS when panning doesn't work well.


Good point.
 03/16/2009 12:48:10 AM · #33
Thanks everyone,

now that I know more hopefully next time will be more successful with more "keepers". A good learning experience.

Thanks again:)
 03/16/2009 12:26:44 PM · #34
Originally posted by BJ:
Hi Everyone,

I got a couple of good shots I think but my primary problem was indeed focus. Very frustrating. Also, I used ISO 400 for most if not all of the shots I took and still they look noisy to me - should I have used a higher ISO? I thought 400 was fast enough for most action shots?


These are at ISO 1600. Without a VR lens and with a mono. You can judge for yourself the clarity - but the challenge shot has numerous comments regarding "no grain" which to me meant that it wasn't noisy enough.

03/16/2009 07:50:08 PM · #35
Those shots are great - I didn't get anything like that for sharpness or clarity.

Maybe I'll try a higher ISO next time:)

Originally posted by Flash:
Originally posted by BJ:
Hi Everyone,

I got a couple of good shots I think but my primary problem was indeed focus. Very frustrating. Also, I used ISO 400 for most if not all of the shots I took and still they look noisy to me - should I have used a higher ISO? I thought 400 was fast enough for most action shots?


These are at ISO 1600. Without a VR lens and with a mono. You can judge for yourself the clarity - but the challenge shot has numerous comments regarding "no grain" which to me meant that it wasn't noisy enough.

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