Focusing!

Hi All,

 

I could really use some help with this. I was recently shooting a subject that

was moving from right to left but also coming towards me at the same time. I

was just wondering what the best focus setting to use would be in this

situation single or continuous to get the best most constant results. I tried

both and found that I ended up with just as many poorly focused shots in both

modes. I was using a D200 and a sigma 300 f2.8

Hi

 

The best way to focus is trying not to use the camera auto focusing system .With a 300mm you might need a mono pod to steady yourself . That will help you pan the picture better . If you need to use the auto focus on the camera try and keep the subject in the middle of the frame. It would help to see what you are shooting . We all take out of focus picture even the pro's .

My best answer is take a lot of shots and have a little luck. I use the contunious mode and have had some excellent results. The more you practice taking sports pictures the better you get at it. Their is a definite learning curve but it goes very quickley when you are on the sidelines.

Thank you very much chaps.

keep the subject in the center, use center focus point only (dont let the camera guess which one to use), track from as far a away as possible, take short bursts, if you hold the button down for more than a second the subject will be out of focus even if the camera still tries to compensate. Shoot a lot. Use continuous mode. If possible, set the back button on the back of the grip to focus as it just seems easier to engage focus that way instead of pushing the button down halfway. You can manually focus if you want, but i think its a lot harder, even with a camera and lens designed for it (older cameras have a higher contrast view finder so its easier to see when your lens is focused properly).

I had this same problem this past weekend at the Gator game. I have a Canon 30D and was

using a 70-300IS lens. I was in the stadium (50 yard line), so couldn't use a monopod (I had

to beg for them to even let me in with my camera). I tried both manual and autofocus and

played around with One Shot and Continuous focus but most of my shots were not as sharp

as I'd like. Dan....I will try your suggestions next time. I think using the center focus point

should help. Thanks,

Dan,

 

Thank you very much for your advice. I will give it another try this weekend. Cheers!