Post Your German Shepherds!

Sledhed wrote in post #10338307
He's getting big Adam, how much does he weigh now?

Last time I weighed him he was 93. I can only weigh him now at our local pet store since him+me=too much for our home scale. Im only 180 but apparently our cheap little scale at home stops at 250.

StoneUSMC wrote in post #10338404
Adam,
How do you keep your focus so sharp when he's running toward the camera? Are you focusing manually? I've tried using my AF, but in the time between when the camera is focused and the picture is actually taken, he's moved forward just a bit and is now out of focus. I end up getting the middle of his back in focus. Any tips?

TheMaggedy wrote in post #10340010
I would like to know this too.

Are you using AI Servo for the focusing mode? Id go into it all but it looks like BV1DMKIIn already posted a lot about it.

Jon Foster wrote in post #10340283
Excellent shots Adam!

Jon.

Thanks

AdamLewis wrote in post #10364735
Last time I weighed him he was 93. I can only weigh him now at our local pet store since him+me=too much for our home scale. Im only 180 but apparently our cheap little scale at home stops at 250.


...

Sounds like you need to lose some weight.

Thanks guys, for the info about the AI-Servo function. I was definitely not doing that, and I can't wait to try now. If I get any decent shots I'll post them. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain and help!

Harley looks great. His coat looks perfectly groomed.

Jon.

BV1DMKIIn wrote in post #10341069
If your camera has AI-Servo mode, switch to it from One-Shot AF mode. That is the very purpose of AI-Servo. It tracks and predicts where it should focus.

I also am a big fan of switching focus control to the " * " button (AE Lock button by default). Leaving the Shutter button to only control exposure while controlling focus with the back * button gives you more control. Look in your manual at CFn4. Most of the Canon bodies have this CF. There's a few options to choose other than default.

If you find yourself shooting something that is always at the same distance, by having focus control moved to the back * button, when you hit the shutter anticipating the shot, you don't have to worry about the camera trying to focus elsewhere then have to reel the focus back to where it already was. By simply not touching the * button, it's like you have "locked" focus to that focal distance.

If you are in a situation where you need to use manual focus, you do not have to turn the lens' focus from AF to MF. It is "off" already.

Pardon the CFn4 tangent. I use it and depending on what sort of subject/movement I am shooting, I switch back and forth between One Shot and AI-Servo.

Also, depending on your model, switch to Center Focus point. If your letting all focus points remain active, a focus point off your subject may lock focus on something other than your target. Setting it to the center point only will ensure it tries to only focus where you place that center point.

I will have to try this. I mainly leave the camera in Center Focus point and toggle if I need to. I don't like the results when I use any of the zone modes on the 7D.

I do use AI Servo for shots of the dogs running towards me, but I find I only get about 25% keepers. It seems like I get nice sharp shots when the dog is far away, but then as soon as they're closer to me, none of the shots are any good.

I think I may have just answered my own question. It's a DOF problem, isn't it? I need to stop the lens down more. I tend to be a wide open shooter because I love blurred backgrounds.

TheMaggedy wrote in post #10378904
I think I may have just answered my own question. It's a DOF problem, isn't it? I need to stop the lens down more. I tend to be a wide open shooter because I love blurred backgrounds.

Not necessarily. While I havent used the 7D, it seems to be a capable camera. I would think that when paired with a fast enough USM lens, it should be able to track focus even when the animal is fairly close. You should definitely be getting more than 25% in focus.

Keeping the aperture wide open is definitely putting the body and lens to the AF test, but I agree with Adam that more than 25% should be in focus. I am not sure how critical the contrast at your focus point is in these situations. That could play a role, too.

A fav of mine.

BV1DMKIIn wrote in post #10385626
Keeping the aperture wide open is definitely putting the body and lens to the AF test, but I agree with Adam that more than 25% should be in focus. I am not sure how critical the contrast at your focus point is in these situations. That could play a role, too.

If you have anything less than a 1D only use the center point for AI focus. The outer points are really only useful for one shot focus.

How about a German shepard mix? I'm still getting down settings to get some decent action shots, but i got a few..

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Another.. I love watching both of my dogs running around playing...

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BV1DMKIIn wrote in post #10385626
Keeping the aperture wide open is definitely putting the body and lens to the AF test, but I agree with Adam that more than 25% should be in focus. I am not sure how critical the contrast at your focus point is in these situations. That could play a role, too.

I'm going to have to work on this, this being capturing action shots while the dog is running towards me. I did send my 7D in and it was found to have problems with the AF system so that must have been part of it. Maybe it will be lots better now that it's fixed because it couldn't have been the photographer

TheMaggedy wrote in post #10387068
I'm going to have to work on this, this being capturing action shots while the dog is running towards me. I did send my 7D in and it was found to have problems with the AF system so that must have been part of it. Maybe it will be lots better now that it's fixed because it couldn't have been the photographer

I bet that did play a role. It's supposed to have a very capable AF system.

More shots of Dorie.