sports photo

[canon shooter]

I am going to be taking some photos of grandsons T-Ball this weekend and want to make sure I get the action and AF stay on. Is the best mode for this the Sports. And if placed in this mode do I have to keep the shutter botton half way down to keep the focus on. If I release the shutter button I assume it will quickly refocus and continue to refocus as long as I hold the shutter half way down.

Any tips,,,this is the little guys last game so I won't get a second chance.

[ssim]

If I were shooting I would shoot in AV mode (I just don't use much of anything else) and make sure that your focus is in AI Servo. In addition go to your custom functions and change number 4 to either 1 or 3. This reassigns the * button near your right thumb to controlling the focus. Simply hold this down and shoot away, the camera will continually find the focus.

[Nekkid]

change number 4 to either 1 or 3. This reassigns the * button near your right thumb to controlling the focus. Simply hold this down and shoot away, the camera will continually find the focus.

I thought it would continually focus in AI Sevo mode anyway? Do you have to reasign that button?

Thanks!

[PhotosGuy]

I thought it would continually focus in AI Sevo mode anyway? Me, too! Which allows you to get out of Sports mode.

[canon shooter]

If I were shooting I would shoot in AV mode (I just don't use much of anything else) and make sure that your focus is in AI Servo. In addition go to your custom functions and change number 4 to either 1 or 3. This reassigns the * button near your right thumb to controlling the focus. Simply hold this down and shoot away, the camera will continually find the focus.If I just put it in Sports Mode won't it automatically use these functions you stated. And with things moving fast won't that be the best way to handle?

[fslshooter]

Jim -

First of all try to get inside the fence to shoot if at all possible. If there's a fence between you and the action you probably can't use auto focus at all. To get inside the fence, ask permission from your grandson's coach who'll need to ask the umpire. If the ump grants it, ask him the rules that apply to you -- he'll probably tell you to stay outside the foul lines at all times, not to move around during play and to stay down the third or first base line near the ends of the dugouts. Assuming that you have field access here are my suggestions.

Try to shoot with the sun at your back or side and avoid shooting into the sun if at all possible. Shoot in AV mode using the center focus point. You'll probably have your best luck if you forget about AI Servo AF and use single shot focus mode then pre focus on the action or where you expect the action to be. Use your 70- 300 lens and shoot tight -- zoom so that the subject fills the frame as much as possible. In order to stop the action you'll need to shoot at speeds above 1/350 and preferably above 1/500 with 1/1000 to 1/2000 optimal. So open your lens as much as possible and adjust your ISO to obtain the best shutter speed. Just remember that the more open your lens is the more critical the focal point becomes but if you do nail it you'll get nice background blur. From time to time check your histogram to insure that the exposure is correct.

Sunlight permitting, your best shooting positions are: 1) Down first base line for batters coming out of the box. 2) Down third base line for action at second base. 3) From first base line for left hand pitchers and third base line for right hand pitchers. 4) For a play at the plate you'll more often get a better shot of the runner from first base line and a better shot of the catcher from third base line.

Since it'll be his last game I suggest you get a few posed shots of him on the field before the game starts. IMO the classic posed shots are 1) of a batter down on one knee sort of leaning on his bat with his glove at his feet, 2) of a batter with his bat on his shoulder in a casual pose, 3) of a pitcher with his glove on and pressed to his chest. These shots look best when either the scoreboard or grandstand is in the background. I posted a few of my photos so that you can see some example shots. Click on the following link to see them: http://www.ourcubs.com//potn/bbe/index.htm

Good luck and we'd like to see your results in the Sports forum of the Photo Sharing Section.

[canon shooter]

Thanks for everyones replies. I will try to work with them.

The one thing that surprises me is no one is saying to set it Sports Mode. Doesn't this work well. I thought that was what it was for. The ability to have camera continue the focus, and shoot fast

[Roach711]

Real photographers don't use the picture modes! <LOL>

Seriously, you won't see much discussion of the picture modes on the advanced forums. For one, it prevents capturing in RAW format and most of us see that as a handicap. I personally have never used any of the picture modes on my 20D for just that reason. When shooting my niece's games I'll use AV or P mode with AI servo or one shot focusing depending on how fast the motion is (AI servo for soccer and one shot for baseball where the action is much more sporadic and predictable). Best thing for you to do is to experiment at a practice game and see which works best for you. As I become more experienced I tend to rely on the automation less and less.

[fslshooter]

The one thing that surprises me is no one is saying to set it Sports Mode. Doesn't this work well. I thought that was what it was for. The ability to have camera continue the focus, and shoot fast

In Sports Mode your 20D is basically a point and shoot camera. You have a fine piece of equipment that cost you considerably more than a P&S camera and we're suggesting that you use the bells and whistles that you paid for. You'll get average photos in Sports Mode but you'll get excellent to outstanding photos if you shoot the way we're suggesting.

[canon shooter]

Jim -

First of all try to get inside the fence to shoot if at all possible. If there's a fence between you and the action you probably can't use auto focus at all. To get inside the fence, ask permission from your grandson's coach who'll need to ask the umpire. If the ump grants it, ask him the rules that apply to you -- he'll probably tell you to stay outside the foul lines at all times, not to move around during play and to stay down the third or first base line near the ends of the dugouts. Assuming that you have field access here are my suggestions.

Try to shoot with the sun at your back or side and avoid shooting into the sun if at all possible. Shoot in AV mode using the center focus point. You'll probably have your best luck if you forget about AI Servo AF and use single shot focus mode then pre focus on the action or where you expect the action to be. Use your 70- 300 lens and shoot tight -- zoom so that the subject fills the frame as much as possible. In order to stop the action you'll need to shoot at speeds above 1/350 and preferably above 1/500 with 1/1000 to 1/2000 optimal. So open your lens as much as possible and adjust your ISO to obtain the best shutter speed. Just remember that the more open your lens is the more critical the focal point becomes but if you do nail it you'll get nice background blur. From time to time check your histogram to insure that the exposure is correct.

Sunlight permitting, your best shooting positions are: 1) Down first base line for batters coming out of the box. 2) Down third base line for action at second base. 3) From first base line for left hand pitchers and third base line for right hand pitchers. 4) For a play at the plate you'll more often get a better shot of the runner from first base line and a better shot of the catcher from third base line.

Since it'll be his last game I suggest you get a few posed shots of him on the field before the game starts. IMO the classic posed shots are 1) of a batter down on one knee sort of leaning on his bat with his glove at his feet, 2) of a batter with his bat on his shoulder in a casual pose, 3) of a pitcher with his glove on and pressed to his chest. These shots look best when either the scoreboard or grandstand is in the background. I posted a few of my photos so that you can see some example shots. Click on the following link to see them: http://www.ourcubs.com//potn/bbe/index.htm

Good luck and we'd like to see your results in the Sports forum of the Photo Sharing Section.I understand the reason for fast shutter speed to catch the action. But if that is your concentration why not just use TV mode vs. AV (app mode).

[AjP]

it is depends on light condition, if there enought light to give you good shutter speed in AV, use AV... if not use M
Main reason for AV, M vs S.. S mode will chage you apperture which is not good, you don't need cleat bg with people etc.... I shoot football and use 2.8 this give good blur bg. u need to experiment and see but main this is to have fast shutter speed 1/320 and up (faster is better)

[fslshooter]

I understand the reason for fast shutter speed to catch the action. But if that is your concentration why not just use TV mode vs. AV (app mode).

When I shoot baseball action my goal is to get the best pictures I can. To me the best pictures are ones where the action is in focus while the background is out of focus and the aperture value controls this -- the depth of field. Shutter speed is important but as long as it's fast enough to stop the action then almost anything above 1/350 and preferably above 1/500 will do. By shooting in AV mode I have total control over the depth of field then I can dial in whatever ISO I want to get an acceptable shutter speed as long as I have enough available light. That's why I shoot in aperture-priority (AV) vs shutter-priority (TV) mode.

[canon shooter]

When I shoot baseball action my goal is to get the best pictures I can. To me the best pictures are ones where the action is in focus while the background is out of focus and the aperture value controls this -- the depth of field. Shutter speed is important but as long as it's fast enough to stop the action then almost anything above 1/350 and preferably above 1/500 will do. By shooting in AV mode I have total control over the depth of field then I can dial in whatever ISO I want to get an acceptable shutter speed as long as I have enough available light. That's why I shoot in aperture-priority (AV) vs shutter-priority (TV) mode.So sound like if I were to follow you on this with my 70- 300 I woudld open it up to max aperture (4.0 - 5-6) Then dial in ISO until I get the shutter speed of at least 350 or 500 I will have to increase the ISO to get shutter speed up. Don't you now have risk of more grain (guess in the new world of DSLR we call it noise), but it will effect image quality??

I have been a P&S guy now for years (from my SLR 35MM days), have to remember my mechanics.

I would assume that on normal sunny day in AZ I should be able to shoot somewhere around 5.6/ 500 / ISO of about 200.

Am I getting it???

[PhotosGuy]

Search for "Sunny 16" . Basic sun exposure is 1/ISO seconds at f/16. Don't you now have risk of more grain (guess in the new world of DSLR we call it noise), but it will effect image quality?? You should see more grain in an underexposed shot than a properly exposed one. Try it.

[fslshooter]

So sound like if I were to follow you on this with my 70- 300 I woudld open it up to max aperture (4.0 - 5-6) Then dial in ISO until I get the shutter speed of at least 350 or 500 I will have to increase the ISO to get shutter speed up. Don't you now have risk of more grain (guess in the new world of DSLR we call it noise), but it will effect image quality??

I have been a P&S guy now for years (from my SLR 35MM days), have to remember my mechanics.

I would assume that on normal sunny day in AZ I should be able to shoot somewhere around 5.6/ 500 / ISO of about 200.

Am I getting it???

Yup you've got it. Just remember that a shutter speed of 350 is the absolute minimum with 500 a preferable minimum. I'd probably dial up to above 1/500 and not worry about noise until above ISO 400. I'm not familiar with the 20D but I seriously doubt that you'll see objectionable noise at ISO 400 and below. It's certainly something you can find out prior to the shoot by doing some test shots in your back yard tomorrow to determine what your threshold is.