Handheld shooting not in focus help

[Mugge]

Hi
Anybody can help me with this strange thing. I'v just been in Miami to shoot 4 weeks of fashion for a magazine, and when i got home, 90% of all my shoots was not in focus ? weird. I was using a Canon EOS 1Ds with a 70-200mm IS USM handheld, and i used around shutter speed 250 all time and mostly One shot auto focus with 45 AF points auto. The lens was on AF with stabilizer mode 1.
I know figured i sould have used manual pointed single AF points and AI Servo insted, or am i wrong ???
I tough a blinded person with such equipment would make fine shoots, but i guess not :(
Is there a better way of settings for a photoshoot like that ? i would love to hear about it.

Thanks in regard.
Mugge

[kwang0429]

I'd say clean your camera and lens first......

[scottbergerphoto]

The shutter speed you neeed to use depends on:
1. Lens focal length including crop factor
2. Distance from the subject (closer - faster speed needed for moving subject)
3. Subject movement (lateral vs. forward back)

1/250 seems a little slow for that lens and a moving subject although with IS it should be possible.
Scott