Drive mode vs. AF mode

[photofinish]

Ok, I took my first action photos Saturday of an autorace where racers race against the clock around cones in a parking lot course. So I did what others here http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=62791 suggested: shutter priority at 250 with my 100-400mmL IS set to stage 2, no tripod. It was a perfect day with lots of sun. I shot at ISO200 and shade white balance. The pictures and color were great, except, as folkes warned me for my first time, most had a slight blur.

Like a dummy, I forgot about the AF mode on the 20D! I set my drive mode for continuous.

So my question is, would one of the AF modes have helped me? I was also set at center-weighted metering. Which AF mode would be the best to use for this??

I know practice makes perfect, and I intend to get some more practice...

[tim]

Nope, the only thing that helps reduce motion blur is to increase your shutter speed. An advanced technique is panning with the motion, but a pro who did a presentation at my photography club said that's pretty hard and took him ages to get right.

AF mode to use would be AI servo. Metering would depend on the location, I tend to use center weighted metering mostly though.

[Cadwell]

It rather depends whether the blur you are seeing is "out of focus blur" or "motion blur". Setting the camera to AI Servo AF would probably fix the former, panning technique will sort out the latter.

[scottbergerphoto]

AI Servo will lock focus on the moving target and if your shutter speed is fast enough there will be no blur. You are better off in Continuous Shooting then Single Shot if you want more frames in focus. In Continuous Shooting, AI Servo, the first shot is release priority (in focus or not) and subsequent shots are focus priority-the camera won't fire without focus lock. In Single Shot, AI Servo, each shot is Release Priority.
Scott

[photofinish]

In Single Shot, AI Servo, each shot is Release Priority.
I'm sorry, Scott, what is 'Release Priority'?

[scottbergerphoto]

I'm sorry, Scott, what is 'Release Priority'?
No apology needed. Release priority is a fancy way of saying that if you press the shutter release, the camera fires reagrdless of focus lock. In Focus Priority, shutter release will not occur unless focus is locked.

I should also mention that for sports shooting, use CFn. 4-1, to separate focus from exposure.
Scott

[PhotosGuy]

a pro who did a presentation at my photography club said that's pretty hard and took him ages to get right. True, but there's a trick to it that might help you out.
1. Start panning WAY early, & KEEP panning after you release the shutter.
2. Throw away the ones that don't work out! ;)
Granted this is an extreme example, but the extra work is worth it, don't you think?

[Jon, The Elder]

Yup - It's just like "photos guy" said. This is a technique we have all had to master. It is one of those things that separate the serious shooter from the rest of the crowd.

It's not hard, heck yer just moving the camera from right to left (or the other way). Trick is to get your camera in position, and "lead" the car. Let it come into frame and then stay with it as you click away. Follow through is important. Not hard, just takes lots (I mean lots ) of practice. Then you can come back and tell the next guy what yer readin' here !

[photofinish]

The problem for me was that the race course snaked its way, zig-zaging across the parking lot so that the action often was not going parallel to me, but moving sideways. I was only allowed to be at certain points on the course, so lighting/action limited my choices.

Scott said:
I should also mention that for sports shooting, use CFn. 4-1, to separate focus from exposure.
I tried this first, but had a difficult time with the focus. When I defaulted back to the shutter button default, I felt I had a better chance at capturing something.

Also, I was seated on a log. At first I tried to use my hips to pivot my body after locking my elbows to the tops of my thighs. That seemed too confining since the action was on the far end of the course where I could not go. So, I simply jamed my elbows into my stomach and handheld the camera and that heavy L.

Is there a better way to hand hold the 100-400L??

[photofinish]

Hey Frank, I like your picture!!

[PhotosGuy]

Is there a better way to hand hold the 100-400L?? That's pretty much the way I do it, too. One thing I forgot to add is to try to stand so your shoulders are parallel to the path of the car when you anticipate clicking the shutter. Also, re "shooting" if you were shooting with a rifle, squeeeeeze the shutter button. It should release just where you want it to, but should always be a bit of a surprise when it does.

photofinish, I'm glad you liked it. It's about 1 out of 1000! ;-)