Pls help identify user error - basketball

Hi Folks,

I just purchased a used 60d and last night was the first I was able to use it.
Aside from composition, which I can identify myself, can you help me understand what I am doing wrong using the equipment I have? I am using the 60d with 50mm/1.8. I understand that there is better equipment that I can be using. I am just looking to get the most of what I have now.

Settings used: f2.0, 1/640, iso 2500, partial metering, custom wb, center focus point

The photos are not sharp. :/ I do know that part of the problem was my unfamiliarity with my equipment. I couldn't auto focus with the shutter button..I didn't know that could be changed in the menu. So last night it was set with the af functioning via the af-on button s0 I was doing a two-finger approach, which was foreign to me.

TIA

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Here's a good start for you to learn back button focus. The 50 f1.8 does focus slow, but it's usable for hoops. Don't know if the 60D has an expanded center point focus which is what I use for basketball. Sometimes I find that the single focus point will fall between players' outstretched arms on rebounds and focus on the wall behind the players or on the ceiling if I'm sitting under the basket.

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=1F4KFyz7KoE

whuband wrote in post #15474894
Here's a good start for you to learn back button focus. The 50 f1.8 does focus slow, but it's usable for hoops. Don't know if the 60D has an expanded center point focus which is what I use for basketball. Sometimes I find that the single focus point will fall between players' outstretched arms on rebounds and focus on the wall behind the players or on the ceiling if I'm sitting under the basket.

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=1F4KFyz7KoE

Thanks for the link. When I got home last night that was the exact video that explained to me what was going on. I couldn't figure it out at the game...must have had a very perplexed look on my face. lol

Off to google expanded center point focus for the 60d..

What's your shooting mode? For moving subjects, its best to use Ai servo since this mode will continuously focus on the subject until the picture is taken. One shot mode will only focus once.

Also, having the lens fully open at 1.8 will produce softness all along the corners of the picture even at 2.0. I would suggest using a higher fstop, like f4 and up. This will get more subjects in focus.

CoRNDoG R6 wrote in post #15475225
What's your shooting mode? For moving subjects, its best to use Ai servo since this mode will continuously focus on the subject until the picture is taken. One shot mode will only focus once.

Also, having the lens fully open at 1.8 will produce softness all along the corners of the picture even at 2.0. I would suggest using a higher fstop, like f4 and up. This will get more subjects in focus.

oops..forgot that detail. I am using AI servo. With f4 won't I have to bump the iso up like crazy to get it exposed? When I look through the thread here in the sports section, it seems that I see more using the f2 rather than f4. I am willing to learn, so please help me understand the trade off.

Thanks

Your horizons are not level in the first two pictures. I'd crop close on the first picture even cutting the guy's legs off whose shooting. The second picture is no good because you can't see the face of the guy with the ball. Remember 98 percent of the time - no face, no ball, no picture. The last picture has nearly half the frame not used above everyone's head. Fill the frame with players.

Try and get under the basket on the baseline. Stay out of the paint, or, if there is no paint, stay two to three feet off the line. Shoot close and crop tighter.

Just my 2 cents worth.

hdgiles wrote in post #15493548
Your horizons are not level in the first two pictures. I'd crop close on the first picture even cutting the guy's legs off whose shooting. The second picture is no good because you can't see the face of the guy with the ball. Remember 98 percent of the time - no face, no ball, no picture. The last picture has nearly half the frame not used above everyone's head. Fill the frame with players.

Try and get under the basket on the baseline. Stay out of the paint, or, if there is no paint, stay two to three feet off the line. Shoot close and crop tighter.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Thanks for your 2 cents worth. Any advice is welcome. I understand the shot compositions are poor. It was my first night with my new-to-me 60d and mostly just trying to figure out how to work the thing. You give you advice about composition. I am shooting close; the gyms where I shoot are small so there is no other choice. But am obviously not framing the shot well. I need to bear that in mind more.

I am also hoping to get sharper images. These are too soft.

I had tried the 50 1.8 and found that the focus was too slow. If you can afford it, get the 85 1.8 This lens is a bargain compared to other Canon lenses and the IQ is great. I use it in a poorly lit gym, shooting at f/2.5, 1/500, ISO 6400. my body is a7D. As others have said, it's best to have the ball and face in the shot. However... don't throw out shots like your 2nd one. "Johnny's " mom will still like it and that's what matters.

Mike R wrote in post #15514844
I had tried the 50 1.8 and found that the focus was too slow. If you can afford it, get the 85 1.8 This lens is a bargain compared to other Canon lenses and the IQ is great. I use it in a poorly lit gym, shooting at f/2.5, 1/500, ISO 6400. my body is a7D. As others have said, it's best to have the ball and face in the shot. However... don't throw out shots like your 2nd one. "Johnny's " mom will still like it and that's what matters.

Thanks, I have put the 85 1.8 on my wish list. I know the composition on these shots are crappy. I was just using them to get feedback on sharpness. And, ironically, I am "Johnny's" mom. I take shots of the other kids just because they get a kick out of seeing them on fb and using their jump shots as profile pics.

NewCreation wrote in post #15526134
Thanks, I have put the 85 1.8 on my wish list. I know the composition on these shots are crappy. I was just using them to get feedback on sharpness. And, ironically, I am "Johnny's" mom. I take shots of the other kids just because they get a kick out of seeing them on fb and using their jump shots as profile pics.

You'll get better before you know it. Then one day you'll be shooting another sport, then another and before long you'll be out 3-5 nights a week, have a web site and be turning teams down. Believe me it happens. I started with one team, a couple of games for fun and before I knew it I'm shooting the T&I and games for 8 sports. ENJOY IT!

Mike R wrote in post #15530357
You'll get better before you know it. Then one day you'll be shooting another sport, then another and before long you'll be out 3-5 nights a week, have a web site and be turning teams down. Believe me it happens. I started with one team, a couple of games for fun and before I knew it I'm shooting the T&I and games for 8 sports. ENJOY IT!

I am enjoying it and I would love to fund my hobby that way.