Need help photographing Motorcycle racing

[veteq]

I am in Mid-Ohio enjoying a great weekend of AMA racing. All is going great except for my photography. Most of the high speed panning pictures are coming out blurry (as you can see from the attached example). I tried this before and same result. After the first weekend of racing I read several post here and changed my technique but ended up with the same result. I increased the shuttle speed to up to 500, set the ISO to 200 and set all the focus points on and turned on "all servo". Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Day two of racing is tomorrow.

Equipment: Canon Xti, Lens used: 17-85IS and 70-200 non-IS
http://www.redcedarphotography.com/webPics/DPP_0001.JPG

[cosworth]

"all servo". What mode is your camera really in? AI servo or what?

Your camera might not be able to keep up here. You might have to try MF and focus on a certain point on the track and shoot there.

[veteq]

thanks for the quick response. Sorry I meant IA servo.
Is the slow focus speed problem caused by the camera or by the lens? At the speed they go by and with no stationary targets to set focus on, it will be very difficult. I will try it though.

"all servo". What mode is your camera really in? AI servo or what?

Your camera might not be able to keep up here. You might have to try MF and focus on a certain point on the track and shoot there.

[cosworth]

The XTi might not have the intestinal fortitude to track subjects that fast.

You have to make sure it's in AI servo and not AI focus. Or switch to MF, focus where bikes will BE when you pan.

Get your DOF in check too, get it to f/8 or even up to f/16 - making sure you've got ISO 200 and a good 1/250th.

[jschro]

Yes the XTi can do it if my XT can. If you're trying to get some decent shots, maybe start out by a curve where the bikes have to slow down quite a bit first. Get used to shooting at that speed first, then once you're sure you've got some keepers try panning as they come out of the curve. I use the XT along with a 70-200 2.8 nonIS and it seems to do fine, although I do need more panning practice. AI servo is the way to go...with all focus points active.
http://jasonschroederphotography.smugmug.com/photos/158542132-M.jpg
http://jasonschroederphotography.smugmug.com/photos/158542219-M.jpg

[mongoosed]

Ive have an xti and i can focus on bikes at the end of a 1/4 mile...

Use the centre focus point... try to follow the bike longer so I has longer too focus..
That works for me.... I'm only using a cheapy 70-300 sigma..

practice, practice, practice.

[blam]

i've had no problem with my XTi and bikes...I also shoot with a cheapo sigma lens as well.

I find I get the best results on AI servo and centre weighted

these are from my first time ever on a bike track.

http://onthelam.ca/site/strat/IMG_4929.jpg

http://onthelam.ca/site/strat/IMG_4900.jpg

http://onthelam.ca/site/strat/IMG_4904.jpg

[cosworth]

Panning in a corner any camera can do it. Tracking from 300 to 80 is another thing.

[veteq]

I will try "center weighted" today but I thought that was more to do with light metering. Focus through the view finder is very difficult. Most of my pictures seem to be off by a very small amount but enough to make the pictures useless. I am not sure such a minuscule adjustment would be noticeable though the view finder; zooming on the picture in the view finder and look for blurriness might do the trick. 700 more shots here I come.
thanks for all the suggesting, greatly appreciated.


i've had no problem with my XTi and bikes...I also shoot with a cheapo sigma lens as well.

I find I get the best results on AI servo and centre weighted

these are from my first time ever on a bike track.

http://onthelam.ca/site/strat/IMG_4929.jpg

http://onthelam.ca/site/strat/IMG_4900.jpg

http://onthelam.ca/site/strat/IMG_4904.jpg

[veteq]

http://www.redcedarphotography.com/webPics/DPP_0002.JPGwell, here is one in focus :D
Nicky Hayden signing some helmets

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/redcedarphotography.com/webPics/DPP_0002.JPG

[Terry66]

I realize this is probably too late, but it looks like your problem is camera shake. When you use a slow shutter speed to blur the motion, the camera also picks up unwanted camera vertical shake that you do not want in addition to the side to side panning that you do want. It's just a matter of practice to get a nice smooth panning technique.

The XTi is perfectly capable of panning motorcycles and doing a fine job of it.

[jschro]

Panning in a corner any camera can do it. Tracking from 300 to 80 is another thing.

Well, my XT has handled straight aways as well.... I was recommending a corner to get some decent shots UNTIL the panning skills have improved. The following shot was taken on a straight away...but I wasn't able to get as close as I wanted (using the 70-200 2.8 and 1.4 TC) so I didn't stick around in this spot very long. But, you can see the focus of the XT did just fine...even with a TC in use. I'm planning on buying a 1D mark IIN and realize it's much better suited for this type of thing but saying the XTi is not capable is a lie. Even after I get my pro body I doubt I'll have a picture of myself holding it along with a big white lens to use as my avatar:rolleyes:
http://jasonschroederphotography.smugmug.com/photos/158542175-L.jpg

[blam]

veteq: centre weighted is light metering. sorry for the confusion