Focusing on toddlers...

[InskiP]

who are always on the move can be challenging, but they're my favorite subject to photograph. However, my shots aren't always as sharp as I'd like them to be. I use a 50mm and like to shoot around f/2.8 for the bokeh-challenging w/ busy little people.

Originally, I thought I'd select the center point to lock in my focus point, but haven't been so successful w/ this. If I use all the AF points, then it jumps around alot sometimes selecting the wrong focus point like the hat instead of the eyes.

Any advice for me?

Thanks

[smittymike19]

its prolly your shutter speed more than your dof thats causing the blur. if your using less than 1/30th sec, you will always get blurred shots with toddlers, unless they fall, lol. i would suggest you carefully watch your ss. keep it at 1/100th or better and use the single point focus. you will be fine if you can get 1/100th or better. i try not to use the center point as the shot seems a tad boring compositionally. hope this helps.

[InskiP]

Well my shutter speed was 1/400, ISO 800, 2.8. I shot indoors window light.
The ones I took outside were even faster shutter, ISO 200 2.8.
I think I need to focus faster and more carefully, but find challenging while watching a moving toddler, checking exposure and focusing all at the same time. Practice, practice, practice, or maybe I need AI SERVO...LOL

Oh, and isn't the center point the single point focus???

[gasrocks]

Yes, pratice helps. High shutter speed, try some manual focusing. If you get used to it, can be faster than auto focus. Also, try to structure what they do. Know where they are going, what will happen next. Really does help.