Sports Mode problems :(

Gregg.Siam wrote in post #16662578
from Canon

I'm not sure who you are responding to, but this is not included on every Canon IS lens.

Gregg,

I've not experienced that problem, despite shooting MotoGP and F1 many times. Perhaps I've simply been lucky.

People are throwing out a lot of technical jargon at this first time poster -- AI Servo, back button focus, etc. Did you read what she stated right at the beginning of the post (see below)? We are probably going to scare her off. I think it would be more helpful to start with the basics.

StephanieUK wrote in post #16658578
First off, I am just a simple photographer, I use my camera to take shots of my dogs and holiday shots. I have no idea how to use the functions on the camera and at my age and stage of life, feel it is far beyond me.

Stephanie, first of all, welcome to POTN. This is a great place to learn. It would be helpful, as some people have already requested, if you could post an example photo or two that demonstrates the issue you are having. If you store your photos online somewhere, you can post them by using the following command (remove the spaces):

Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Yes, but don't forget that some lenses don't have any manually selectable mode 2. They are either like the EF-S 55-250 mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, which automatically detects panning and thus changes mode on its own, or they are like the EF 28-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, where IS just gets confused from panning.

These were two examples. There are more lenses in both groups, and also some new lenses with an IS mode 3.

OP is using a Tamron 18-270 VC lens....

The problem might have nothing to do with image stabilization. It might be that the lens' focus isn't quick enough to keep up with moving subjects. Tamron has started making some "USD" lenses that are similar in design and performance to Canon USM, but their non-USD lenses are not very fast focusing.

It might help to restrict the camera to using the center AF point only, but that won't be possible using the fully automatic modes such as "Sports". THe center AF point is more sensitive and responsive than the other eight.

If you want to give it a try, you could set your camera to a moderately high ISO like 400 or 800, then "P" or "Program" mode. This will still be very automatic, but also will allow you to select the center AF point only.

I would not turn off VC on your lens. I have been shooting sports for many years with stabilized lenses and can't recall the last time I actually turned it off (I do use the "Panning" mode sometims, but your lens probably doesn't have that so lets not confuse the issue).

StephanieUK wrote in post #16658578
Ok, first post, hope it is in the right section. First off, I am just a simple photographer, I use my camera to take shots of my dogs and holiday shots. I have no idea how to use the functions on the camera and at my age and stage of life, feel it is far beyond me. I use the pre-set functions on the camera, and have been very happy using them, up till the last couple of months. I have a Canon EOS 500D with a Tamron AF18-270mm lens attached. The lens is set on AF and VC. The problems is that I am finding that all the pictures I take in the sport mode [mostly of my dogs playing and running] are coming out blurred - pictures that in previous similiar circumstances would be beautiful and clear. At first I thought the problem was with me - I am getting on in years, and thought that I was not holding the camera steady enough, so I have tried using a tripod and following the dogs but this has made no difference to the pictures either. So,I wonder if anyone has any ideas what is happening in the sports mode? or has any ideas how I go about fixing the problem please? I am thinking maybe something is wrong with alservo aspect of the camera, maybe it is not shooting fast enough or something? but i have no idea really. Please don't ask me complicated questions, I cannot answer them, neither can I tell you if the pictures are blurry if I manually set the camera - I have no idea on earth how to do that. Many thanks.

Heya,

Sounds like the objects you focus on, move out of the focal plane, before you take a photo. Try changing to AI servo for focus mode, and use Continuous shooting instead of One shot. I find fast action to be easiest when using the rear focusing setting (this is a custom function in the camera) to use AI servo tracking focus, then simply pressing exposure when you want to. Pull out the manual, it's all explained. You'll get more out of your camera if you stop using it like a point & shoot.

Very best,

InfiniteDivide wrote in post #16662131
I always assume IS was for handheld single shots, anything continuous was IS off.

Strange then that video cameras do stabilize the image.

StephanieUK wrote in post #16658578
I use the pre-set functions on the camera, and have been very happy using them, up till the last couple of months. I have a Canon EOS 500D with a Tamron AF18-270mm lens attached. The lens is set on AF and VC. The problems is that I am finding that all the pictures I take in the sport mode [mostly of my dogs playing and running] are coming out blurred - pictures that in previous similiar circumstances would be beautiful and clear. At first I thought the problem was with me - I am getting on in years, and thought that I was not holding the camera steady enough, so I have tried using a tripod and following the dogs but this has made no difference to the pictures either. So,I wonder if anyone has any ideas what is happening in the sports mode? or has any ideas how I go about fixing the problem please?

So OK I had problems which the tread info above has helped me to resolve half my problems with sport mode ...ie don't use it. [But I am still wondering if your problem was that everything worked right a couple of months ago and is now not!]
With this example of what I consider way better than what I could do 2 days ago:
1. moving flag
2. 55-250 IS II
3. at 250mm
4. handheld
5. Tv
6. iso 3200
7. 1/2000
8. AF on, IS on
9. center focus dot
10. F/25 [automatic]
11. AI
12. full image top
13. crop image bottom
14. minor photoshop cleaning [1x sharpen per image]
15. Sequence of 5 to get one decent shot of flag extended.

I think anyone should be able to get to this point at 250mm handheld, AF/IS. May not be perfect but it works for this 72 yo. [T3i]

Bingo27 wrote in post #16666629
1. moving flag
2. 55-250 IS II
3. at 250mm
4. handheld
5. Tv
6. iso 3200
7. 1/2000
8. AF on, IS on
9. center focus dot
10. F/25 [automatic]
11. AI
12. full image top
13. crop image bottom
14. minor photoshop cleaning [1x sharpen per image]
15. Sequence of 5 to get one decent shot of flag extended.

You'll be getting serious diffraction softening at f/25 on APS-C (or even FF), and there is no need. Drop your ISO, so that a more sensible aperture is selected. This will have the added benefit of reducing image noise.

If by "AI" you mean "AI Focus" as opposed to "AI Servo", you'd be better of with a different mode as AI Focus is, frankly, a bit suspect, and unnecessary anyway. For static subjects, use "one shot AF"; for moving subjects, use "AI Servo".

Bingo27, perhaps you should consider starting your own thread since your questions are unrelated to OP's question and it makes following this thread confusing, not to mentiion, it is unfair to the OP.