Bicycle Races with the G10?

[fishtek]

Yup!


I took my G10 to the Readington Time Trials event today, to see if it'd be able to do "action" shooting. I set the ISO up to 400, 'cause it was rainy and gray, and tried a few shots. If I set up the shot correctly, and activated the focus early enough, or panned a bit, it seemed to work pretty well. I'm encouraged, and will subject it to further tests, working with various permutations. This camera has a LOT of variables to mess with...I think this thing can be a better action shooter than I ever imagined...

Stay tuned...

[ryandood]

Nice attempt. I'd like to see how the G10 would perform on a better lit day.

[fishtek]

Yeah...me, too!

It's just a matter of understanding the machine better, and refining my technique. I'll post new stuff another time...

Regards!
Don

[begrie]

nice bro.

[Styk33]

Good job. It looks like you could only shoot the slow people though. No skinsuits or deep wheels. :(

I would add a big more shutter speed.

[fishtek]

Like I've inferred...this is an experiment in progress. The speeds were around 25 mph coming back to the finish. The day was DARK and rainy, forcing a higher ISO, inducing noise. Attempting a bit more DOF meant a higher aperture, limiting the shutter speed choices. It'll be better on a sunny day...

Regards!
Don

[Kevan]

I wonder if the "sports" setting might yield better results. You'd lose the RAW file, but shutter response time improves some.

Just throwing that idea out there.

[JohnJ80]

actually, these are pretty much out of focus.

The way to fix that with a P&S like the G10 is to prefocus on predetermined spot and wait for the subject to get there. Here's an example where I did that with a Pro1 (ski racing) and it worked well.

http://www.pbase.com/johnj80/image/46106391.jpg

Not as good as you can do with a dSLR.

The problem is that the shutter lag in the P&S cameras is on the order of 1/2s or so. That is more than enough for a rapidly moving subject to get out of the area that is in focus. If you use the half depress of the shutter button (pre focus), you take a big component of the shutter lag out of the equation.

J.

[CJinAustin]

Basically point and shoots don't do action; all these pictures look bad and you have to get really lucky to do much better.

[fishtek]

You're right, of course...they're NOT made for action shots. As I said above, my intention is to see just how far towards "acceptable" I can push it. The by-product, of course should be a rather good understanding of the variables and capabilities. I didn't buy it for action, but if the chance occurs, and the G10 is what I have, I'd like to think that maybe...just maybe, I can get a decent shot. To get the best results possible out a camera shouldn't be relegated to luck...

Regards!
Don

[JohnJ80]

Basically don't waste your time. Even if you do all the tricks, it is going to give - at best - mediocre to poor results. Action shots need a better sensor and and at least two orders of magnitude less shutter delay.

J.

[fishtek]

I've spent about 40 years messing around with everything from 5x7 view cameras to medium formats, to rangefinders, to SLR's to early p/s digitals (2 meg stuff), to more recent ones (C5060W), 3 DSLR's, and the G10. I'm pretty well cognizant of the strengths and weaknesses of all of 'em, and never meant to generate all the detractions I've seen but announcing that I intend to work the camera over in an attempt to create good images of action. I KNOW it ain't the machine for action pix, but isn't it OK to see how far I can push the envelope?

Relax! I'm only taking pictures here...not documenting world-shaping events!

Regards!
Don

[Kevan]

I've found joining the cyclists offers the better photo opportunity.

[Kevan]

and here from my usual station:

[CJinAustin]

I've spent about 40 years messing around with everything from 5x7 view cameras to medium formats, to rangefinders, to SLR's to early p/s digitals (2 meg stuff), to more recent ones (C5060W), 3 DSLR's, and the G10. I'm pretty well cognizant of the strengths and weaknesses of all of 'em, and never meant to generate all the detractions I've seen but announcing that I intend to work the camera over in an attempt to create good images of action. I KNOW it ain't the machine for action pix, but isn't it OK to see how far I can push the envelope?

Relax! I'm only taking pictures here...not documenting world-shaping events!

Regards!
Don

I think you are getting defensive for no reason; all we are saying is the pictures aren't going to get much better because of the camera's limitations... not yours... You can push the envelope all you like and I honestly hope you get some great pictures... but will you get outstanding action pictures consistently? Well probably not,,, so to me the whole thing is kind of futile. On the other hand if your attempt is aimed less at productivity and more as a meditative exercise in patience, then enjoy the challenge,,, nothing wrong with a good challenge.

warmest regards...

[JohnJ80]

I agree with C.J. I guess I'm surprised that the pictures you posted you would consider anything other than very out of focus especially after your dslr experience. In other words, what are you seeing in those images that you find encouraging?

J.