Had This Been In Focus...

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biglou

• Sep 20, 2008

• #1

It might have been a pretty darn good picture! Damn my non-photographer friends using my high-dollar gear, lol!

 

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biglou

• Sep 20, 2008

• Thread starter
• #2

My buddy Steve, #39, just turned 54 last month!

Go Steve!

 

MXGirl230

Stupid tires and trees

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Mi. Trail Riders

Dec 19, 2002

2,358

0

• Sep 21, 2008

• #3

LOL, kinda how it works for Phil and I...stuff of me looks AWESOME! He well gets crap. I might get ONE good picture...maybe.

 

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biglou

• Sep 21, 2008

• Thread starter
• #4

My buddy shot 200 pictures of me. He'd prefocus on a spot on the track, and not let off the button until after he snapped off 15-20 shots of each pass I'd make, with each shot being more out of focus than the last, lol! Oh, and plenty of shots of just the track, too! :laugh:

Oh well, I give him credit for trying. He did snag one or two that were in focus, they just werent all that exciting!

Like these:

 

Kawidude

D'oh!

LIFETIME SPONSOR

May 23, 2000

1,386

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• Sep 22, 2008

• #5

Next time you give him the camera, make sure you've got the focusing mode set to "AI Servo." That way he can focus on you and the camera will try its best to keep you in focus as you're moving. I like the shot at the starting gate. A little crop there might look cool.

 

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biglou

• Sep 22, 2008

• Thread starter
• #6

I need to research the AI servo more. I thought it was default on? I had it set to Aperture Priority, because I wanted that shallow DOF. I bumped it up a little (from 2.8 - 3.2 or so) to give him a little better shot at it.

Also, it's AMAZING how many people know nothing about the halfway down shutter button prefocus. And nearly every camera does this, from the cheapest pocket digital all the way up the line!

 

Kawidude

D'oh!

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May 23, 2000

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• Sep 22, 2008

• #7

I'm not sure if AI servo is the default setting. I would bet it's not. If you switch it over to that setting you'll likely increase your keeper rate. If you go with Aperture Priority, you may need to bump up your ISO a little bit if you're finding the shutter speed isn't high enough. Of course, that totally depends on the conditions the day you're shooting.

I can't remember the comedian, but I remember hearing a bit about how people become clueless when you hand them a camera and ask them to take a picture of you. They always say, "Okay, so how does this work?" And you respond, "IT'S THE SILVER BUTTON ON THE TOP! IT'S THE SAME BUTTON IN THE SAME LOCATION ON EVERY CAMERA EVER MADE!!!"

 

C

Chili

Lifetime Sponsor - Photog Moderator

Apr 9, 2002

8,062

17

• Sep 22, 2008

• #8

Lou, what are you shooting with? It likely came from the factory on one shot focusing mode.

 

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Squid31

Member

Jul 5, 2006

446

0

• Sep 23, 2008

• #9

Yep, make sure you set that thing to AI Servo for anything that moves.

Here's how...

 

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biglou

• Sep 24, 2008

• Thread starter
• #10

Thanks Emile. Yep, it was in One Shot. I guess it pays to learn all the tricks when you have the good toys.
Now, just think of how many keepers I'VE lost because of that!

 

Kawidude

D'oh!

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May 23, 2000

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• Sep 24, 2008

• #11

When you've got it in AI Servo, also make sure the camera is only focusing with the center point. Otherwise it can lock onto something else and you'll get even more shots that are out of focus. With AI Servo and center focus set, you can aim that center point right at the rider and just keep tracking it while you're firing away.

 

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biglou

• Sep 25, 2008

• Thread starter
• #12

It's been just over a year since I got this camera, and I specifically remember just the center point being used for focus. I probably set that up and incorrectly assumed I had the AI Servo running as well. Like I said, I'm a hack, with about a 2% keeper ration, lol!

Oh, and the button bit was hilarious, and oh, so true!

 

GETMETOCA

Can't Wait For Tuesdays

Mar 17, 2002

4,765

0

• Oct 2, 2008

• #13

OMG Lou, you get air now ;)

Love, Natty XOXOXOXOXOXOXO