New gear test (1DM3 & 70-200 II)- HS soccer

This is a follow up to my post in the talk section regarding some new gear I recently acquired (!DMkIII and 70-200 IS II). First outing with this kit was VERY disappointing for me as I expected to see IQ on par with my 1DMkII/300 f2.8 kit. What I was rewarded with was an entire shoot with not a single in focus frame. I have pretty high standards and some were almost there but not a keeper in the bunch and all IQ related. Something was obviously wrong. Before the second match, I reset all CFn's to factory default with the exception of AF-On focusing and CFn 1-14 to allow a switch to a preset Av setting in case lighting got really squirrelly. I also changed the IS setting to mode 2.

I'm still not thrilled with the results but at least I got images acceptably in focus with and without the 1.4 TC attached. This match was actually a good test as lighting was goofy for sure with intermittent rain to boot. Skies were very bright despite being overcast so it made metering tough since I was unused to how the new body would meter (my 1D2 underexposes about 1/3). Making matters worse, I have not shot sports much over the past year as family has been the complete focus. Needless to say, I was VERY rusty. Backgrounds were also a train wreck as cars were parked along three sides of the pitch and the fourth side had what appeared to be a Zeppelin hanger or something on it. Lastly, to make things even tougher, winds were 25-35 mph gusting to 50mph throughout the match which made keeping anything steady almost a joke. In any case, here's a few samples from the match which we (Excalibur) were fortunate to win 3-0. All shot handheld with 1D3 and 70-200 II (and most with a Canon 1.4x tc). Exif should be intact.

I know these are weak images overall relative to what I have produced in the past but I'd love some feedback regarding image sharpness. I was tempted to mess with micro adjustment but the few tests I tried didn't seem to find a need so I left it alone.

1.

These look good Scott and timing seems to be in tact as well. Do you still have your 300?

Dan-o wrote in post #12250172
These look good Scott and timing seems to be in tact as well. Do you still have your 300?

Thanks for looking Danny. The 300..sadly, I sold it as it just was sitting in the closet. With the additional kids now, I wound up stepping away from a few of my regular shooting jobs that required the 300 so I opted for the new 70-200 instead since it is more versatile and takes even a 2x pretty well from what i hear. I'll go back to a big prime once the little ones have been here a bit longer and are settled in, but probably the 400 when I do.

Ahh I see. For what I'm doing now I really have no need for the 400 but it is one sweet lens. Pretty much gave up on the youth and prep stuff for now. Still do occasional stuff on request only. Just focusing on cycling and other adventure sports stuff as it seems to be paying well and consistent.

You'll get the camera figured out I'm sure. have you set up the two focus buttons yet? You'll love that.

Dan-o wrote in post #12250236
Ahh I see. For what I'm doing now I really have no need for the 400 but it is one sweet lens. Pretty much gave up on the youth and prep stuff for now. Still do occasional stuff on request only. Just focusing on cycling and other adventure sports stuff as it seems to be paying well and consistent.

You'll get the camera figured out I'm sure. have you set up the two focus buttons yet? You'll love that.

Did the same on the youth/prep stuff other than my own kids teams. If its request, I only shoot flat fee up front.

focus buttons, you mean AF-on and *? If so, I already love that setup. AF-on in M, * in Av and it seems you have far fewer excuses for messing up exposure.

If these are your idea of not sharp, I guess I don't know what "sharp" is. These look excellent. You have blades of grass flying up, hairs on the players legs visible. These look great to me.

namasste wrote in post #12249821
... First outing with this kit was VERY disappointing for me...

IMO - making a statement about camera performance without posting your complete camera setup and shooting style (eg. all settings and custom functions) is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Awesome set, Scott. Focus tack sharp, lighting pretty good, blacks perfect. What's not to like ... other than the WEATHER around here!!!

dave

Palladium wrote in post #12258990
IMO - making a statement about camera performance without posting your complete camera setup and shooting style (eg. all settings and custom functions) is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

agreed and good point. on the first outing, I was at center point, no expansion, no NR in camera. I had a few other CFn's but the only other AF related CFns I was using was tracking sensitivity at medium/slow and continuous AF tracking. Shot in servo, high fps, IS on mode 1, and the longer of two limit settings (I cant recall the distances as marked on the lens). ISO was between 500 and 1000 with shutter speeds in the 1/500s and up range, wide open, of course).

For outing two, I reset all settings to default and any CFns set were not AF related at all other than AF-ON focus button and registered settings to * so I could switch to Av if needed. I also switched the IS to mode 2 but left it on. Exif is intact on the posted samples for reference.

Hope that helps provide some more clarity (no pun intended) on my original dilemma/problem.

Dave and Joe, thanks for taking the time to comment. You know how it is sometimes...you see one thing but need a much more objective opinion. Appreciate the help and comments guys.

It was a learning curve from the MkII to the MkIII for me also...so much more settings in the AF dept. on the MkIII. Now it's a breeze...
Ron

namasste wrote in post #12259534
agreed and good point. on the first outing, I was at center point, no expansion, no NR in camera. I had a few other CFn's but the only other AF related CFns I was using was tracking sensitivity at medium/slow and continuous AF tracking. Shot in servo, high fps, IS on mode 1, and the longer of two limit settings (I cant recall the distances as marked on the lens). ISO was between 500 and 1000 with shutter speeds in the 1/500s and up range, wide open, of course).

For outing two, I reset all settings to default and any CFns set were not AF related at all other than AF-ON focus button and registered settings to * so I could switch to Av if needed. I also switched the IS to mode 2 but left it on. Exif is intact on the posted samples for reference.

Hope that helps provide some more clarity (no pun intended) on my original dilemma/problem.

A couple of items jump out for me and IMO should be changed:

eg. for team sports there is a Canon PDF that recommends using Focus point with the side adjustment points active, top and bottom or left and right (not all - I forget the exact name on the CF and I don't have my cameras nearby)

Using Image Stabilazition all the time with fast moving objects and high shutter speeds slows down the focus lock and your slowing down focus lock on new targets even more by having the tracking sensitivity at medium/slow, add an extender and you might as well get a cup of coffer waiting for focus .

Re: the longer of two limit settings (I cant recall the distances as marked on the lens), IMO you may want to reconsider using this in the longest position. In the longest position the camera will not try to focus on close subjects, IME capturing soccer there are many times when the action is in front of you that you can full the frame with, but if you using the longest setting the camera will not focus lock on any subjects before 2.5 meters.

One of the advantages of the Mark II over the reg 70-200's is the Mark II has a closer focusing range, use it, don't limit yourself.

Wow! Those are masterful shots. Did you use center-point focus?

I'm beginning to understand the appeal of multiple lenses... 70-200... huh.

Other than the messy backgrounds, these are fine. Good even!

Scott, my suggestion, your watermark disappears after the se (at least to my eyes).