Moving motorcycles

[mel513]

Hello all. New to the canon forum. Member of ETR motorcycle forum and have recently bought a Canon S2 IS. Still shots are Ok, but moving targets are different story. When I go to other settings like P, TV, and so on, the pictures turn out kinda grainy almost like color distortion. The smaller the pictures the better they look. I have worked a little with ISO speed and white balance, but no great success. Any help would be appreciated, below is an example.

http://img311.imageshack.us/img311/7563/kneedown21qu.jpg

[cool_dude07]

Use settings similar to this. Use the smallest ISO possible without sacrificing image quality (50 or 100). Use Tv mode and set the shutter speed to about 1/50 to 1/125. The speed of the shutter depends on the speed of the motorcycle. If it is going around the corner, use about 1/50 to 1/60, if you're unpleased with the results, decrease the shutter speed to increase motion effect. Set IS mode to panning and be sure to follow the motorcycle for the entire shutter actuation..that's the most important part! Obviously there are other factors but that depends on lighting conditions, speed, etc.. you'll have to experiment until you get the hang of it, but these settings should get you well on your way. Try this and don't get frustrated. I practice this technique at the end of my driveway on passing cars. Don't produce any award winning photos (in terms of composition, etc..) but my technique has certainly improved.

Good Luck!

Ty

PS. Search the transportation section for some of snowrdr's threads, I think he/she has some good motorcycle shots.

[mel513]

Thanks. I was using the top speed on the ISO. 400 I believe. It's kinda hard to tell about what I'm saying in that picture, but the closer you zoom in you can tell. Almost like when you take a picture with not enough light. I will give it a try. Haven't messed with the shutter speed. The way I understand it, the longer the shuttle speed, the longer one has to hold it steady during the shooting.

[cool_dude07]

That's true...but if you pan with the motorcycle, you should get a clear shot..practice makes perfect!

Ty

[mel513]

Thanks, we'll see how that works. I hadn't even changed my shutter speed until just now. Wasn't sure how to do it, but figured it out. It may be a couple weeks before I'm able to shoot more. I' ll let ya know how it turns out.

[snowrdr]

I've caught a few bike shots during race and trackdays with my S2IS. Try keeping the ISO at 50 for the best quality. If the lighting isn't very good you can jump up to ISO 100, but I wouldn't go above that. I see in the exif data for your posted shot that you have the Exposure Bias set to +1/3
I have found the S2IS to over expose a little and so I usually set the bias to -1/3 to help out on blown out highlights. For mid-corner shots like yours I use Tv mode set to 1/800 sec. And for panning shots I drop the shutter speed down to 1/250 and below. Good luck and post more when you can.

PS
Your subject in your picture has alot of lean angle left to use if he doesn't hang off so much and/or ups his corner speed... :mrgreen:

[mel513]

That subject is me. You're right, I do have a lot left to go. Just started getting my knee down about a month and a half ago. Been riding for close to thirty years and sportbikes for about 15. Have been trying to get it down for about year and a half. Thanks for the help, soon as I can I'll go check out your pictures. I done that deal with exposure, to give more light i reckon to the exposure. But you're dealing with a novice here. Had a kodak 3.1 megapixel before this. So a lot of this stuff is over head a little. Just a matter of knowing what to set. These few posts have helped me to get started.


http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/3233/caution9pn.jpg


Here's my preacher. He's the one that usually takes my pictures, but if I can get my settings right. That will help.


http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/635/goodlinegoodform2et.jpg


Another one.



http://img311.imageshack.us/img311/4504/kneedown2lp.jpg

[snowrdr]

That corner would be a good spot to try a panning shot from the inside. Switch to continuous focus and panning IS and put the exposure bias down to -1/3.

Try not getting so far off the seat, maybe just one butt cheek and then increase your corner speed to get more lean angle. I'm just the opposite in my riding, everyone tells me to hang off more... :D
Looks like you two have a great line through there because you are staying away from the center line. A friend of mine let me ride his new R1, they are great machines, have fun and ride safe.

[mel513]

Thanks again for the help. I'm excited to what difference it makes. Your right about the riding. I'm off a little far, due to a little less speed. I feel more comfortable coming off the bike than having more speed. Just like camera shooting. More practice.

[Stefan A]

Did you make sure your resolution was set at the highest and the compression set a the lowest?

Stefan

[mel513]

The resolution was set to the highest, but I'm not sure about the compression. I messed with the it today, nothing moving but still shots and worked with the aperture. They look better already.