Focus Question on DRebel

[cgratti]

I read the manual, but still dont understand something. When shooting action shots sometimes the camera wants to focus on the background not the subject. I was shooting some pee-wee football today and some of the shots had the trees in focus and the players I wanted to shoot out of focus? I don't quite get the grasp on the proper way to get the camera to focus on the players and not the trees in the distance?

Any help would be appreciated.


--G

[Transfix]

I'm a mkii user, but I'll try to help.

If you have an AI Servo setting for focus, use that.

It sounds like you are using a center focusing point, and as the action moves you are panning with it. If that's the case, and you miss the action with that center focusing point, it will focus on the background. Try using the elements grouped together, or improve your shooting with the center point selected.

[robertwgross]

Also, another point to consider is that the camera might be trying to select between two areas of focus. If one has good contrast and one does not have good contrast, it is likely to jump onto an autofocus lock on the contrasty one. So, if you see the camera doing that to you and you can't work around it any other way, maybe line up your background differently.

---Bob Gross---

[OviV]

I'm a mkii user, but I'll try to help.

If you have an AI Servo setting for focus, use that.

It sounds like you are using a center focusing point, and as the action moves you are panning with it. If that's the case, and you miss the action with that center focusing point, it will focus on the background. Try using the elements grouped together, or improve your shooting with the center point selected.

I get a feeling that the opposite is true here. He may have all 7 focus points enabled and the camera is choosing the wrong ones. I would say that if that is the case, use the center focus point only and make sure you have it on what you are trying to shoot. No AI Servo on the D. Rebel except in sports mode.

Ovi

[drisley]

No AI Servo on the D. Rebel except in sports mode.
Ovi
Au contraire Mon frère...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39873

[OviV]

drisley,

I read your post. I have had mixed results with the method you describe. It certainly does not work with my big lens (Sigma 170-500). I have to test with other lenses. Also, the camera only supports AI Servo without using Sports Mode, if you have the hacked software on it. We should not assume that everyone has loaded it.

Ovi

[cmM]

No AI Servo on the D. Rebel except in sports mode.
Ovi
Au contraire Mon frère...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39873

LOL
C'est vrais ;) (did I spell that right?)

As for the focus, I have a rebel, and I had/have that issue at times. Practice will make it better. And, use center point only, as mentioned above. That way it's much easier for

[dorkn]

How do you set the DR to use the center focal point of the 7 points? Is that the button on the back up near the Shutter release button?

Brian

[cmM]

How do you set the DR to use the center focal point of the 7 points? Is that the button on the back up near the Shutter release button?

Brian
yup

[dorkn]

Ok thanks. Now will that stay set till you change it? Or till you turn camera on and off?

[cmM]

Ok thanks. Now will that stay set till you change it? Or till you turn camera on and off?
until you change it.