Hard to grab focus with tokina 11-16 f2.8?

ive been using my 11-16 for downhill biking, with subjects moving as fast as 25-30 mph, and it is damn near impossible for me to get a non blury picture on my fast moving subject, im using a 7d, should manual focus improve the situation at all? im using AF and hoping itll capture the rider with focus fast enough but it clearly isnt if anyones got any tips please let me know, my 70-200 f4 doesnt have a problem capturing riders but then again its a telephoto

That lens is not made for action sports. The focus motor in it is far from fast!!

I'd suggest you preset the focus to where you want to capture the image of the rider or use a lens with an AF motor that can keep up with fast moving subjects.

jonathanheierle wrote in post #16238129
ive been using my 11-16 for downhill biking, with subjects moving as fast as 25-30 mph, and it is damn near impossible for me to get a non blury picture on my fast moving subject, im using a 7d, should manual focus improve the situation at all? im using AF and hoping itll capture the rider with focus fast enough but it clearly isnt if anyones got any tips please let me know, my 70-200 f4 doesnt have a problem capturing riders but then again its a telephoto

With such a wide lens, it is probably better to use hyperfocal focussing (see http://dofmaster.com/d​ofjs.html). I have the Tokina 12-24 and with the 7D what I would do is the following: In liveview (with +10 magnification) and with the lens in manual and at 12mm, I would focus the road where the bike will be and that´s it. You do not need to focus anymore.

Miguel

Can you post an example or two, with EXIF information still embedded in the photos (not stored 'for web')? Also some clues about the shooting...

• How far from the subject do you estimate you were?
  
• ...were you panning the camera to match subject speed?
  
• ...were you using the factory default 'all AF zones active' and letting the camera choose AF points?
  
• ...(if no embedded EXIF) typically about what shutter speed?
  

Wilt wrote in post #16238223
Can you post an example or two, with EXIF information still embedded in the photos (not stored 'for web')? Also some clues about the shooting...

• How far from the subject do you estimate you were?
  
• ...were you panning the camera to match subject speed?
  
• ...were you using the factory default 'all AF zones active' and letting the camera choose AF points?
  
• ...(if no embedded EXIF) typically about what shutter speed?
  

ill post a few soon, and compare them to the 70-200 shots