10D –Sports mode?

[Bob B]

10D –Sports mode?

In the “Sports “Programmed Image control mode, the manual
says, “When focus is achieved, the beeper will sound softly”.
I am not getting the beep in this mode and several pictures that I took
at a track meet yesterday where out of focus.

I have had my 10D for 2 weeks and still getting familiar
with the camera.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in Advance
Bob B

[redbutt]

Did you turn the "beep" off? That is an option in the camera settings.

Also, there is a post somewhere on here about having the camera in certain settings will let you take the picture before focus has been acheived. Make sure that you see a green dot in the viewfinder....that is your focus lock indicator.

[Bob B]

The camera is set at "Canons" default settings--
Beep on

Bob B

[robertwgross]

Bob B wrote:
10D ?Sports mode?


Bob B., before anybody else offers any suggestions, you might tell us what you've already checked and ruled out. For example, is that the only operation mode that worries you right now? Is this a Canon lens, or something else?

---Bob Gross---

[Bob B]

I am using "New Canon" lens purchased with the camera:
EF 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 USM
EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6III USm

The Sports mode seems to be the only mode
that does't work. (with both lens)

Some of the pics are in focus.
I can feel the lens "looking for focus"
but I never get the beep, AF points to not turn red and no focus confirmation light.


Bob B

[KevinM]

After reading your posting I picked up my 10D and sure enough it does not beep. All other preprogrammed modes it does. I then went to the "creative" AV mode that I usually use same thing, when using AI Servo mode. Other modes it does beep.

They must have been thinking smart, because on page 66 of the manual it clearly states that it will not beep in AI Servo mode. That is what sports mode uses. Page 41 of the manual is incorrect.

Amen! Can you imagine the constant beeping everytime you focused during a sports match or an air show ? Would be almost as bad as listening to cell phones, nextels and pagers all day.

Kevin

[Bob B]

KivenM

But does the AF light up and do you get the confirm
light in the view finder?



I called Canon twice this evening.

One Tect said it should beep and lite up
and said to sent it in for repair.

The second Tech said it was just not focusing
and just use another mode----Duhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob B

[redbutt]

Bob,

Chances are that the camera is focusing you just need to get the hang of using that mode (there are steep learning curves to these cameras as I learned back when I got my D30). If indeed the camera is use AI Servo focusing (makes perfect sense that it would), the camera is ALWAYS going to be hunting for focus if the scene is changing. So, you might be trying to focus on one thing while the camera is looking at something else. When you get your camera back, so some focus testing and pay attention to the green focus lock indicator. It will probably go on and off as your target moves. I think that Sport Mode will allow you to release the shutter before lock has been acheived...most likely the source your problem.

You might try pre-selecting a focus point. That will force the camera to use that point only. The you can make sure that your subject is on that point. It should get you better results. Also, try the creative modes...take control of the settings yourself...see what you can do that way.

Just my opinion...as always I could be totally wrong.

If my 10D wasn't broken on arrival, I would be running some tests myself right now.

[KevinM]

Bob,

Go to page 66 of the manual (AI Servo AF for Fast Moving Subjects) The green box with the notes icon. It states, that the only time the focus light will light, is when it is flashing because it can not acheive focus.

Picked up my camera moved around and the focus light does not light. Since I had a 50mm macro lens on it and it focuses right on top of the object, I put the lens cap on and tried to focus. Sure enough, light was flashing, focus can not be acheived.

Have a good day,

Kevin

[Bob B]

KevinM

I tried what you did by covering the lens.

The confirm light flashes just like your camer does.

Now, how about the AF points, does any turn red when the camers is in focus?

On p66 (as you suggested) its says "active AF point will not flash red"


Thanks for the imput


Bob B

[KevinM]

Hi Bob,

I am a little stumped on this one. First off, no, if I have all focal points active, none lighting up in red.

However, if I select a specific focus point in AI Servo, it briefly flashes red when first depressing the button. I guess this is there to show the user the active focus point.

Back to all focus point setting.
Curiosity had me, so I selected all points for focus. I tried twisting and turning the camera at different angles to get a different focus point on an object at different distance to see what the camera would focus on. Definately unscientific but my 2 minute test results varied. The camera seemed to focus on the center point more than the others. But it was definately not every time. It used the other points too. Perhaps there was more contrast on the center focus point the majority of the time.

As I write this I just had a thought. I will lay out the newspaper when I am having dinner. It will be much easier to determine what is happening.

Back in a bit with the results

Kevin

P.S. I am no expert, I have been playing with DSLR for as long as I have had my 10D, about a month.

[Bob B]

KevinM

Since I had conflicting views from Canon on whether I should send my 10d to them for repair, I called them again the evening. I wanted to be sure that my camera needed repair.

I worked with a Tech that had a “good”10D at his desk.
He tried the sports mode (p 41)-----no beep and no AF lights.
Then he tried the Al Servo (p61)----worked just as describe
In the manual.

I got the same results as he did, the same as you are getting.
He thinks the beep, etc., for the “Sports mode” is wrong.
SO! I am not sending my camera back for repair.

Thinks for your help.

Bob B

[KevinM]

Yes Bob, in that respect I think it is just fine.

Anyway, after dinner, I grabbed the camera with the newspaper laying on the table. All focus points active in AV mode with AI servo mode on.

Holding the camera at an angle so that each focus point would effectively be a different distance from the news print, I toyed with my test again. Focused on a point in the paper, tilted the camera to a different point on the paper where everything was out of focus, refocused. pointed camera aout the window to focus to infinity and back to the paper.

It used different focus points, but overall, a slightly higher percentage of the time it selected the center point.

I am curious if anyone more learned could offer their input.

This was done with my 10D and a Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro lens.

Personally, I always use a single focus point when shooting. This thread piqued my curiosity.

Have a good evening,

Kevin