Blurry

IndyMX

Crash Test Dummy
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Jul 18, 2006
5,548
2
Amo, IN
I am having a real problem with most of my photos being very blurry. I just can't seem to get the AF to work for me.

My setup is: Canon 20D / Canon 75-300mm 4-5.6 (USM) / Canon 18-55mm 3.5-5.6


I shot about 500 frames this weekend at a local track, and tried various settings, and couldn't seem to find anything
that helped me very much. I tried Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual and can't find a good solution.

The conditions were overcast to rainy. I set white balance to "Cloudy" and ISO to 400.

Are there any suggestions that anyone can give me that might help me figure out what I can do to get pictures that are sharper?

Thanks in advance.
 

Tony Eeds

Godspeed Tony.
N. Texas SP
Jun 9, 2002
9,535
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Can you post an image for people to look at with all the data from the photo?

I had the same problem with my d20 at Dirtweek year before last. It boiled down to me just needing to get more time in shooting moving objects. I was also confounded by shadows.

The gurus can give you far more help than I can.

It isn't your equipment.
 
G

Green Horn

aka Chip Carbone
N. Texas SP
Jun 20, 1999
2,563
0
Tony Eeds said:
It isn't your equipment.
Click to expand...
I HATE it when I can't blame it on the camera. :|
 

IndyMX

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Jul 18, 2006
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Amo, IN
Here is one example.. It doesn't look too bad at this resolution, but at 3504x2336 it sucks.

I know its not the equipment. It is definately a loose nut behind the viewfinder. I have taken some really killer shots with this gear, but I am having a horrible time taking anything with less than bright sunlight or completely motionless.

Thanks for the help.
 

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Squid31

Member
Jul 5, 2006
446
0
I don't think your focus is off, but your shutter is way too slow. The shot you posted was at 1/125 @ f/13 shooting in TV mode. Try upping your shutter speed to 1/1000 - 1/2000 and you will see a huge difference.
 

Okiewan

Admin
Dec 31, 1969
29,550
2,238
Texas
Tough call. On bad light days, unless you really know the game, it may be easier to pick shutter speed and let the cam do the rest. Like the man said, on tv go 1,000 and let the camera pick the aperture. A decent shot is better than no shot, right? So DOF isn't optimal, at least you'll have some keepers.

Tip #2: Always take Squid31's advice before Okie's. :cool:
 

Kawidude

D'oh!
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May 23, 2000
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A good rule of thumb is to always have your shutter speed set AT LEAST the same, if not higher, than your focal length. For example, if you're using your 75-300mm lens (I have the same one, see my other thread for sample shots) and you're zoomed in all the way to 300mm, you'd want your shutter speed to be at least 300, or more likely 400-500, depending on the amount of blur you want on the wheels and dirt.
 

Okiewan

Admin
Dec 31, 1969
29,550
2,238
Texas
Yes, that's a general rule to avoid camera shake (applies to full frame tho as do focal length numbers of lenses) ... 300mm x 1.6 crop of the 20D, ie; 1/500, which is the minimum I'd shoot moto, still allows for some motion blur. But, if you are are 70mm? 1/70th (or whatever is closest) is not even in the ball park, so that rule doesn't really apply to action shots, rather stationary subjects.
 

IndyMX

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Jul 18, 2006
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Now I can't wait to get back out to the track to try some of this stuff out.
 

Kawidude

D'oh!
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IndyMX

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Jul 18, 2006
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Amo, IN
Kawidude said:
That's pretty cool. Looks a heck of a lot easier to lug around than a monopod.
Click to expand...


I believe I could make one for the price of the shipping...
 

IndyMX

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Jul 18, 2006
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Amo, IN

The bas****s!
 

IndyMX

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Jul 18, 2006
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Amo, IN
oldguy said:
Oh I thought she came with it to do the shooting

That really is a lot better then the monopod I was lugging around for a while it just got to awkward and ended up staying in the trailer
Click to expand...


Hey, if she came with it, I might go for it..
 

Rich Rohrich

Moderator / BioHazard
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Jul 27, 1999
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IndyYZ85 said:
I believe I could make one for the price of the shipping...
Click to expand...

Not if you have an ARCA quick release plate on your camera body. ;)
 

IndyMX

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Jul 18, 2006
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Amo, IN
Rich Rohrich said:
Not if you have an ARCA quick release plate on your camera body. ;)
Click to expand...

Nope. Don't have one. So, I guess I'm in luck!! WHOOT!
 
C

Chili

Lifetime Sponsor - Photog Moderator
Apr 9, 2002
8,062
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What AF mode are you using? To shoot action you will want to be in Ai Servo mode. I've also been less than impressed with servo on my 20D's unless I use the center focus point for sports.
 

IndyMX

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Jul 18, 2006
5,548
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Amo, IN
Chili said:
What AF mode are you using? To shoot action you will want to be in Ai Servo mode. I've also been less than impressed with servo on my 20D's unless I use the center focus point for sports.
Click to expand...


I have tried AI Servo and Single shot.. But, with some of the tips I have gotten from this thread, I am going to go out and see what happens this weekend.
 
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