AI Servo

[minatophase3]

I bought my D60 last Wednesday, my lenses arrived on Friday evening and I had some time over the weekend to play with the camera. I was trying to figure out the AI Servo focusing and found that my daughters swinging on the swingset was a perfect opportunity. Here are a couple of my successes!

Picture 1
http://www.thenationfamily.com/images/girls/july04/kaitlyn_swing3.jpg

Picture 2
http://www.thenationfamily.com/images/girls/july04/mackenzie_swinging2.jpg

Picture 3 My daughter is afraid of any type of flying insect, this was just after a bee flew by her while swinging :shock:
http://www.thenationfamily.com/images/girls/july04/mackenzie_bug.jpg

I am really starting to like this camera. By the way, all 3 pictures were taken with a Canon 70-200 4.0L.

Tim

[abel]

i used the ai servo at the local dog track last weekend and it came in very handy... it quickly locked focus in every instance...

[who10]

Nice captures! I love her "bee careful" expression :D

[Conk]

She's quite cute. :) I've considered installing the firmware hack on my Rebel just so I would have the AI servo work in manual other than just the sport setting.

[drisley]

Do it Conk! The firmware "hack" is awesome.
I contemplated for a LONG time before trying it.
My only regret is not trying it sooner.

In addition to my fav functions like AI Servo and FEC, I increased my max raw images on a 512mb card from 69 to 79 by changing the embedded jpg size to small! Darn good for a free "upgrade"!
I think it's the word "hack" that scares people away.

[dsze]

Keep in mind that AI Servo does not really work yet in the 300D hack. (unless something has changed since I sold my 300D a couple weeks ago). It's there in the hack, but it isn't fully functional.

Nice swing photos. I actually used the AI servo on my new 10D last weekend for wakeboarding shots and I'm not sure if I liked it or not....I think I have to get used to it a bit more.

I did build my daughters a tree swing today (just so I could test out the AI servo) :) and I was very happy with it....got some good stuff. Very similar to yours, also using the 70-200 f4.

-daniel

[drisley]

AI Servo does work with the hack, and is fully functional, with a slight twist.
You just have to lift and repress the shutter button to shoot.
It happens so fast and seamlessly (at least for me), that I dont think it would make much difference even if I didnt have to.
I can lift my finger 2mm and press down almost as fast as just pressing straight down. It's not like you have to lift your finger off the button or anything. It's totally seamless to me.

It's not perfect, but still a very good (and free) solution.
I often wonder if Wasia will be able to get the AI Servo to work 100%

[dsze]

Yes, you can do the lift and re-press, but like I said, AI servo is not fully functional yet in the 300D hack...I'd bet it will be in the next version though. I used to do the lift and press too, but I found it easier and more effective to just use 'one-shot' mode and focus/shoot all in one movement (if I had enough light to allow the lens to focus that fast). I guess my finger wasnt fast enough to do it your way.

-daniel

[drisley]

I have no problem doing the lift and press.
You dont have to lift your finger right off the button, just lift it slightly and down in one quick movement.

[dsze]

Yeah, I have no doubt that it can be perfected. And I totally agree...the hack is a great addition (free addition ) to the Drebel. I had it on mine before I sold it.

[drisley]

You need to drink more caffiene!
That will have your trigger finger twitching so fast you'll be taking pictures you hadn't planned on! :D

[blackviolet]

i agree ai servo rocks. the 'sports' mode on the drebel just doesn't cut it for sports - and the buffer is too small. on my 10d when i'm shooting rugby, i use aperture priority, single af spot (either centre or the upper one), and of course ai servo.

http://www.blackviolet.com/rugby/4694_small.JPG

http://www.blackviolet.com/rugby/4703_small.JPG

i played around with my hacked drebel using the ai servo mode - it does behave like the 10d's ai mode when depressed - in otherwords it tracks the af intelligently rather than trying to go back the other way. the problem is it's too slow even using their patented 'click click click click' method (and the finger starts to ache!!). and yes there is the 'oops i just took that photo' effect. hopefully wasia gets it to work, so my (oops, my wife's :oops: ) drebel will be more like its bigger brother -although i'm very happy with my main body :D