Seems a little out of focus

I was using Auto focus on a 30d with a 200-500 tamron lens.....The auto focus point was the square in the center of the circle, so the very very center. I suppose I was aimed right at his chest, is that the reason why his face is out of focus (the player in the red) or is it simply a result of a cheap 200-500mm lens?

*edit* please ignore the large man in the background who wants to eat the player =X

Even at 500mm I would think you'd have sufficient DOF to get both player #11's chest and head in reasonably sharp focus.

I've never used the lens you're talking about, but I suspect it was your shutter speed.

What shutter speed did you use? (Can't see your EXIF).

SOK wrote in post #6284622
Even at 500mm I would think you'd have sufficient DOF to get both player #11's chest and head in reasonably sharp focus.

I've never used the lens you're talking about, but I suspect it was your shutter speed.

What shutter speed did you use? (Can't see your EXIF).

I believe it was either 1/640 or 1/800

It was 1/800...Judjing by the grass focus was a little in front of him. But it certinaly looks usable with a little sharpening.

Try ISO 200 1/1600...You have ton's of light.

For that matter go Iso 400 1/1200 F8...Gives you more DOF to work with.

neumanns wrote in post #6285836
It was 1/800...Judjing by the grass focus was a little in front of him. But it certinaly looks usable with a little sharpening.

Try ISO 200 1/1600...You have ton's of light.

For that matter go Iso 400 1/1200 F8...Gives you more DOF to work with.

I'll give it a try, thanks!

Here is another picture from the same day, the ball and face seem to be in focus better while the fast moving parts are a tad blurry. So I guess you were right about the shutter speed! Thanks a ton, hard to see this stuff on the little screen- all about trial and error I guess. This was my first time shooting any sport other than racing (cars).