Noobie Question: How to get in-focus pics of moving objects...

This probably sounds dumb, but I had to ask.

What do I need to do / what settings do I use to take pictures of my puppies (for example) when they're moving around and playing / running? I just got a new Canon t2i with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens, and I also have a canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong but they are always out of focus if they're moving.

AI Servo mode helps but so does lots of practice and some luck. Also, be sure you're using a fast shutter speed. 1/60 sec doesn't cut it when things are moving.

You have to "pan" your subject or shoot at a higher shutter speed.

Also bright light, choose a ISO so it allows you to keep a fairly high shutter speed. 1/250th or higher will freeze motion pretty well.

Thanks so much everyone.

I would ditch the 75-300 lens and instead pick up the 55-250 IS lens. Much better IQ and it gives you IS like what is on your 18-55. You might have to pony up about $30-40 to do the swap though, but it is worth it, both with IQ and IS helping any unsteady hands.

Bump your ISO to 1600, go to Av mode, set the smallest number you can for your aperture (means more wide open), and see if you can nail some shots at 1/250th or so. Work from there, if you go up with ISO, you will get faster shutter speeds, but more noise to deal with, and if you can lower your ISO, your shutter speeds will go slower, but there will be less noise to deal with. Somewhere in there is a happy median.

My 4 month old puppy can be a challenge, but I have had some luck with these settings in bright sunshine.
50D with 100mm lens, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec, AI Servo AF and High Speed Continuous Drive Mode.
Here is one of the puppy with the 50D. I've also posted one taken of my older dog using a 450D and 18-55mm IS lens,
Single Shot Drive Mode and One Shot AF.

...Terry

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AI servo, back button focus, fast enough shutter, and a good fast focusing lens.

rral22 wrote in post #13768765
AI servo, back button focus, fast enough shutter, and a good fast focusing lens.

Add in the single point focus to this list then lots of practice.

RandomMusing wrote in post #13768345
Thanks so much everyone.

Do you have any understanding of AI Servo and how to use it?

...and center focus point.

Along with the other suggestions, track your subject (in AI Servo with a shutter button half-press) for a short while before taking the shot. This will give the auto focus system time to lock on and follow your pup.

Panning with a slower shutter speed (1/125) to show motion: