Which af mode to use?

Which af to use at a ice hockey game with my 7d I've just been using auto select but idk if that is the best I will be shooting with a 7d and 70-200 II

Virtually all sports are shot in AI Servo mode, to track the subject. What AF point you select is kind of dependent on where you expect the subject in the frame. And whether you select the AF point or let the camera select any random point it can find to focus on, typically you have a better idea than the camera

Dave

tracknut wrote in post #12055849
Virtually all sports are shot in AI Servo mode, to track the subject. What AF point you select is kind of dependent on where you expect the subject in the frame. And whether you select the AF point or let the camera select any random point it can find to focus on, typically you have a better idea than the camera

Dave

Thanks I know that ai servo is the way to go but I dint know if there was af point mode that is best. It just sounds like personal preference.
Thanks

I usually do one or two up of centre. But I suck, so take that for what you will.

For basketball, I use center spot focus, with Tv mode, 1/800, ISO 1600.... but you might need a different focus at 200mm.

Look at some hockey shots you have taken and ask yourself what you would change.

Basically with any action kinda shot you usually want you subject to have some room in front of them... The landing of a jump, the players rushing down on them, the goalie focusing in.

So the focus point is dependent as to how you want your shot. If the player is rushing down from right to left you may want to use one of the focus points on the right side of the camera to show how far he has, what he has facing him or what he is chasing.

But this is in no way a rule make the photo you want.

Normally always the center. Also you may want to use the back focus button for better AI servo focus

Center focus point and Back button focus have proven most reliable to me.

The way I have upped my keepers is by dialing in what the camera seems to work best in in regards to tracking. I dont have a 7D on me now, but other cameras have adjustments that seem to work better in differing conditions.

Best thing to do is try and shoot in your conditions and review your results if you can and see if any changes to the focus settings give you more or less keepers.