:( Could have been!

[TiKTaC]

Could have been one of the all time greatest shots I have ever had. My local school won this game to advance them to the State Championship next weekend. Our QB rushed for 149 yards and 5 touchdowns. You will see this kid at the next level. Has several schools looking but not committed yet. I was sick when I downloaded these this morning. Probably my error but I sure have had focus issues with this new 50D.

I haven't touched these yet so I will try to salvage a little just to give to him for memories.

[SPORTshot]

Would have been some sweet shots, that's for sure ! I have a 50d and am not happy with it's performance......very inconsistant in my opinion. I'm hoping the 7D does indeed handle AF better than the 50d as well as better high ISO performance.

[lespaulowner]

ouch

[ogre1231]

bummer!

[RonnieA]

happens to the best of them

[ironbelle]

I would suggest a higher shutter speed other than 1/250th to freeze the action. You have fast glass from the looks of your signature. I would have opened up wide, started at 1/500th and adjusted the ISO accordingly before using flash. I say this not knowing the quality of the field lights. Since you have fast glass, you probably could have used a bit more ISO and gotten something usable (even if you had to run it through a noiseware software).

[philwillmedia]

Originally Posted by ironbelle

I would suggest a higher shutter speed other than 1/250th to freeze the action. You have fast glass from the looks of your signature. I would have opened up wide, started at 1/500th and adjusted the ISO accordingly before using flash. I say this not knowing the quality of the field lights. Since you have fast glass, you probably could have used a bit more ISO and gotten something usable (even if you had to run it through a noiseware software).

I agree. Having your shutter speed set too slow is the problem, not Auto Focus.
At 1/250sec you have two factors working against you - the movement of the the action and also the possibility of camera shake as you move to follow the action. IS won't compensate for either of these issues.

Also are you on single shot or AI Servo?
If you're on single shot, then that's part of your problem. You need to be on AI Servo to track and maintain your focus lock.

Edit:...and dont worry, we've all done it. Have a look at this thread http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=773658

[JDCPA]

I have had good results with a 50D, but not perfect. Better with the 7D.

I assume you used center point focus.

I agree with the shutter speed comment. I find a minimum of 1/320 is the lowest you can go.

Good shots, you almost got it.

[ironbelle]

I shoot boxing so I use AI Servo. You may want to try using a monopod if you don't think your steady enough to hand hold a 70-200. So, AI Servo, higher shutter speed and a monopod would be a good start the next time you go out and see if that improves your keep rate.

[butcha27]

Pump that ISO up around 1600 and you'll get a much better shutter speed, it won't be too noisy and you'll be getting a much better speed for sport. Some good advice from those who have alrewady commented too

[JeffreyG]

The guys are right that you need a faster shutter speed. Kick that thing to ISO 1600 and you are at 1/400.

But looking at the second image, I think focus was also missed. #71 in the background looks pretty sharp.

[DHMN]

I think people are missing..that he couldn't go faster.. he used a flash so he couldn't go up to 1/400 etc. It does seem more like focus wasn't set to 'center spot' because of the lack of backgound "blur" at f2.8.and only 90mm

[JeffreyG]

Originally Posted by DHMN

I think people are missing..that he couldn't go faster.. he used a flash so he couldn't go up to 1/400 etc. It does seem more like focus wasn't set to 'center spot'

Ah, when I looked at the second shot the distant player appears so close in exposure to the near players I assumed that this shot was ambient. Even the crowd is not too dark.

So another problem the OP has is that his settings with flash are way too close to ambient. He needs to underexpose ambient a lot more (stop down, lower ISO) so that the flash has a chance to freeze motion.

Flash with sports is an either or thing. Either you go ambient and pick a high shutter speed to stop motion or you need to get rid of ambient altogether so the flash will freeze the action. In between is a blurry mess.

[ironbelle]

That's why I mentioned in my first post that he should have tried a faster shutterspeed and higher ISO in addtion to his fast glass BEFORE using flash. I figured the camera sync rate was 1/250 and that is why he was at that shutter speed(to be able to use flash).

Originally Posted by DHMN

I think people are missing..that he couldn't go faster.. he used a flash so he couldn't go up to 1/400 etc. It does seem more like focus wasn't set to 'center spot' because of the lack of backgound "blur" at f2.8.and only 90mm

[skygod44]

Oh no!
I feel so sorry you missed the shots, but as has been said up there ^^^^^ we've all done it, and you need to learn from your mistakes.

Here's my tuppence worth -

You've got two camera bodies, yes? Which one had which lens on? If I were in your shoes, I'd have the 85 f1.8 on one body and the 70-200 (set nearer the 200mm end) on the other. And I certainly wouldn't hope that flash would be of any benefit outdoors with high speed action.

With this set-up, you might have been luckier and been able to get the shots with the 85mm, because the EXIF data on your shots shows that you were at 90mm when you took the shots, and ISO was only 640 (equiv.) at f2.8.

ISO 1000+ at f1.8 would have lifted the shutter speed plenty, and you can always clean up noise (if it's not too bad) in PP, but you can't do much about motion blur.

Try, try, try again, and if you've two bodies, use 'em!!!