Auto Focus Selection

[tombryan]

Trying to figure out what would be the best Autofocus and Mode selections for sports (Track) at the moment.

Tried regular AF yesterday with AI Focus and Servo mixed in there. Got mixed results.

Sometimes my AF points would lock in on the crowd, or the judges on the sidelines, so the runners would be out of focus.

Wondered about selecting the Sports Mode.....

Or am I better off just using manual focus.

I usually us Av mode because I like Aperture Priority.

Thanks,

[primoz]

AI Servo is pretty much only choice for sport. I don't have any idea what's difference between AI Focus and AI Servo since 1d has only AI Servo (and oneshot). Another thing to try is to select one af point and not let camera select one by itself. With this you have more control over this.
When it comes to aperture priority... try manual. Might be a bit awkward on begining but will give you much better results after a bit of geting used to. With sport cameras metering can be fooled pretty easy so manual is way to go.

[vkalia]

If you are shooting motion, the best thing to do is:

1/ Set CF4 to 1 - this way, you use the * button on the back to set focus, and the shutter button to set exposure

2/ Select the appropriate AF point (usually the center one, which usually tends to be the high-precision sensor) and keep that on the subject. Keep the * button pressed in Servo mode to track the subject. Fire when ready.

3/ If the subject stops moving, you can quickly recompose and shoot by simply releasing the "*" button (thereby preventing refocus in Servo mode).

Letting the camera select the AF point is asking for trouble, especially with longer teles.

HTH,
Vandit

[tombryan]

Thanks Guys....

I'll play around a little and try what you suggested. I really appreciate it !

[robertwgross]

Often it helps if you state what kind of camera you have. The different autofocus modes show up a little differently on one or two models of camera.

---Bob Gross---