Need advice on panning...

Hi,

I would like to try capturing a moving vehicle or motorcycle, and have the background blurred to show speed, but I want the vehicle to be sharp.

Can I get some help on how to best achieve this?

I'll be panning the moving vehicle to try to capture it.

I'll be using my 5D with 70-200 IS, f/2.8 lens, and a monopod. I'm not sure how to set the buttons on the lens. I think mode 2 is the correct setting for panning, is that right?

Do I keep the image stablizer button on, even though I'm on a monopod?

What other settings do you recommend...Aperture or Shutter priority?

What shutter speed is best to. Anyone?

Advise is appreciated. I never tried this technique before.

Well, you can get a Sharpie and add a '0' to your 5D to up your FPS... :P But in lieu of that, leave your IS on panning mode(2) and I would use Tv or manual plus AI servo(AF), and shoot in bursts to achieve your desired image. Look at some images that have the elements you desire and look at the EXIF information. It should get you in the ball park.

Duncan, thanks! That sounds like good advise.

Yes, I do realize my 5D's frame rate is slow compared to the 50D, but I'd still like to give it a try!

Duncan Frenz wrote in post #8236573
Well, you can get a Sharpie and add a '0' to your 5D to up your FPS... :P But in lieu of that, leave your IS on panning mode(2) and I would use Tv or manual plus AI servo(AF), and shoot in bursts to achieve your desired image. Look at some images that have the elements you desire and look at the EXIF information. It should get you in the ball park.

Poor advice, in my opinion. If one is trying to pan the camera/lens with a moving automobile, for example, the camera should be in one-shot mode. Forget the "machine-gun mode" completely.

Set the exposure mode to "M" (for Manual). Establish a proper exposure for the scene. Set the shutter speed according to the degree of background blur you want to see. For fast-moving race cars, 1/125 second should be a good starting point. The ISO and aperture can be manipulated for the rest of the exposure settings.

Focus on the spot on the track where you expect to make the image. Then, follow a car to the spot and trip the shutter at the right time to have the car in the right place on the track for the image.

This is really extremely simple. Just remember that you have to follow the car before and after the time that you trip the shutter. Smooth motion of the camera through the whole process is critical to keeping the car positioned properly in the viewfinder.

SkipD wrote in post #8237739
Poor advice, in my opinion. If one is trying to pan the camera/lens with a moving automobile, for example, the camera should be in one-shot mode. Forget the "machine-gun mode" completely.

Set the exposure mode to "M" (for Manual). Establish a proper exposure for the scene. Set the shutter speed according to the degree of background blur you want to see. For fast-moving race cars, 1/125 second should be a good starting point. The ISO and aperture can be manipulated for the rest of the exposure settings.

Focus on the spot on the track where you expect to make the image. Then, follow a car to the spot and trip the shutter at the right time to have the car in the right place on the track for the image.

This is really extremely simple. Just remember that you have to follow the car before and after the time that you trip the shutter. Smooth motion of the camera through the whole process is critical to keeping the car positioned properly in the viewfinder.

My advice was predicated on the premise that the OP had no experience shooting these types of shots. I recommended Tv OR Manual, which he could choose based on his ability. If the light is consistent on a track then manual would be my preference, but not knowing where he is shooting, Tv would be more appropriate when panning as the light can change quite a bit as the subject moves in and out of shadows. I would have recommended a specific SS but again I did not know what the OP's desired 'look' is based on his comments. Examining the EXIF of images similar to those he wish to emulate would get him close and he could tweak it from there.

There is nothing wrong with using short bursts, as I wasn't advocating 'machine gunning' despite my tongue in cheek remark about the FPS. I am definitely not an expert, nor do I play one on television, but I do occassionally shoot a moving target and have achieved excellent results using the method I described. However, it is NOT my field of photography that I shoot on a regular basis and would bow to greater knowledge such as yours. I understand the school of thought that rails against high FPS and spray and pray methods, but using multiple shots with constraint is a tool that can be used despite its stigma amongst some photographers. I am sure they don't make those 10FPS professional 1Ds bodies to shoot flower gardens.

Thanks everyone! I might try both. Burst mode and single shot.

No race cars here, just cars or motorscycles travelling by at about 40 mph. I want to freeze the vehicle, but blur the background.

Scott Kelby's digital photo book recommends 1/30 or 1/60 of a second, in Tv mode, and to shoot in burst mode.

He also recommends shooting as open as possible, to further blur the background. This would mean shooting in manual mode, which contradicts his own recomendation of Tv mode!

I will need to experiment, and run lots of test shots.

Thanks guys!!

I'd rather time one good shot against the background I want than have one "maybe shot" & four others to delete.

Manual won't be affected by the color of the car & changes in the background, so for a good starting point, first set the f-stop & shutter speed you need for the effect you want. Then the other parameter: f-stop or shutter speed. Then adjust the ISO.
Need an exposure crutch?

Use that as a starting point, but don't be afraid to experiment.
First shoot with moving cars need advice.

Panning Success Rate

Thanks Frank. I see you have a ton of experience in this area, so I will trust your expert advise! Thank you!

Ivan (Puggle)

Here's my best pic so far... Just shot it on my lunch break...

My data:
Tv mode @ 1/30
ISO 100
70mm
f/16

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I went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Friday. Used my 50D with the 70-200 f4 with the IS on Mode 2. I set the exposure manually (using the grass) and varied shutter speed from 1/60 to 1/250. 1/60 gave the best background blur but I found it quite difficult to get the cars sharp enough. I had to use 'machine-gun' mode as my panning just wasn't good enough to guarantee a good shot. Lots of duds, but a few keepers - normally one or two keepers out of each burst of 6 shots per car.

Here's one of the mega-stars of the day, a Pagani Zonda.