I had a scare yesterday

while shooting a HS football game. (sort of a long story)

I was using the 1D4 and 500 f4 lens and I noticed the Ai Servo was not tracking the action. So, I thought to myself "$%$# I'm already having issues with the fairly new camera. So I began the process of elimination; checking my settings etc. and checking lens settings and all was ok or so I thought, but Ai Servo still was tracking the action. So, I kept saying to myself just put the 1D3 on the 500 and be done with it and worry about it later, but I couldn't do it. So, I checked the camera settings again; nothing. Then I checked the lens again and BAM it struck me; the pre-focus switch was set to on. Now, I don't know how it got switched on, especially with the lens coat plastic coverign the switch (you'd have to use a finger nail to move the switch), but it was on and the reason why Ai Servo was not tracking the action. So there was a happy ending.

Well, I guess the moral of the story, which all of you probably already know this from experience, is to always check the settings of your equipment before shooting.

Btw, I shot my 1st game ever in a down poor and cold weather and all I can say is I give much respect to those that do it day in day out. Fortunately, I just took possession of the TT hydrophobia rain sleeve - sweet piece of equipment by the way - which kept my equipment dry. I had to learn the install on the spot, though.

Just thought I'd share this story.

Al

I always 'Zero Out' before each day of shooting clear all settings check my ISO check and custom functions, nothing more irritating than getting your best image and realising you've shot everything in ISO 1 Billion

Always a good reminder to check every single setting. Glad it was nothing serious.

I'm good about checking things, too, but I don't usually use the 500 for football. I decided to use it this time, but just could not figure out what was going on this time, nor how the focus preset switch got set to on.

About the ISO setting thing, I did that at the game too, but I will blame that on me getting used to using the TT hydrophia rain cover - I accidentally switch my SS to 5000, but good thing I caught that during a time out while I was checking my settings again.

SpeedyGoo wrote in post #13195299
I always 'Zero Out' before each day of shooting clear all settings check my ISO check and custom functions, nothing more irritating than getting your best image and realising you've shot everything in ISO 1 Billion

Yep. One thing for sure, I will always check the pre-focus switch on the lens before every game or shoot.

vitacura wrote in post #13196292
Always a good reminder to check every single setting. Glad it was nothing serious.

This is embarrassing, but here goes.

I was shooting a wedding (second photographer), and 1/2 way through the formals I noticed my focus was set to "M" (WHAT?!?!). Fortunately my partner had good shots of the ones that my focus wasn't in Auto. How it was set to manual, I have no idea.

Goof ups like that drive you crazy.

That was a couple of years ago. Since then I have tried to be religious about giving my settings a "once over" & sometimes a "twice over" before starting the shoot.

Yeah that could have been a disaster. I can see you on Judge Joe Brown or Judge Judy trying to explain that one (just kidding)

guntoter wrote in post #13199582
This is embarrassing, but here goes.

I was shooting a wedding (second photographer), and 1/2 way through the formals I noticed my focus was set to "M" (WHAT?!?!). Fortunately my partner had good shots of the ones that my focus wasn't in Auto. How it was set to manual, I have no idea.

Goof ups like that drive you crazy.

That was a couple of years ago. Since then I have tried to be religious about giving my settings a "once over" & sometimes a "twice over" before starting the shoot.