SX10 Panning - User Problem...

I sure need some advice on this, please! New SX10, and I did read-up on Panning, mostly DSLR stuff which I tried to adapt to SX10. I know from examples shown here that the Camera can do Panning very well. The problem is that I'm obviously not doing it properly. That is - to get the moving target crisply sharp - while having the background nicely blurred to "show target speed".

As this was my first attempt at Panning, I used P-AE and reset the WB to Sunny, and ISO to 80. I used a tripod, so the IS was Off. I left the Metering at Evaluative - would Spot work better? For experiment I tried Shutter Priority, but miffed that even worse!

In the example shown, zoom was 20x, Optical only, and the range, very approx, 200-metres / 220 yards. I did about two-dozen shots, and the example is one of the few in which the intended target is at least recognisable. I don't know the speed of the target, but the boat was moving fairly quickly.

As I'm not sure where I'm going wrong, the Exif data might not be adequate - please advise. The image is unchanged, other than reducing to 800 x 600 and PS-7 Save for Web, for posting. 3.9MB original available, unrestricted.

Exif: (from Exif Pilot)
Firmware Version: 1.03
Exposure Program: Program (P)
Exposure: 1/100
FNumber: f/5.7
ISO Speed Mode: 80
White Balance: Sunny
Metering: Evaluative
Focal Length: 100mm
Quality: Superfine
Image Stabilisation: Off (On tripod)
Zoom Source Width: 3648

Any comments / help most gratefully received!

Regards, Dave.

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The main thing you'll need to do is practice. Panning, especially with a high speed (I suspect at least 30 knots for that boat) subject is not easy. Work on a smooth pickup and followthrough - don't stop as soon as you've taken the picture. And expect a fair number of poor ones, especially at first. Fortunately, electrons are cheap. You might do better with the camera hand-held but with IS set to "panning" (p. 82) as it'll be easier to track that way.

Jon - Thanks indeed for that. I'm 60, and not always too hold-steady... I hadn't noticed that IS also has a Panning function - just looked it up on your mention. I thought tripod might be steadier than I am, but shall have to try that. I'm likely not doing a follow-through either - that tip is appreciated.

Thanks, Dave.

The main reason your background doen't give you the "speed" blur you are wanting is that you need to be closer to the subject that is moving so your "panning speed" is faster. Jon's comments are right on, but you might want to make your AF point "small" so you are only ON the subject. Sometimes with the large (standard) size AF point you get some background or foreground in the AF point and then you don't get AF on exactly what you intended.

Eosphotomanoftennessee - I was shooting from right on the shoreline so couldn't get closer to the speedboats. But that's a good suggestion for situations where one can get closer, thanks.

Yes, I was finding it hard to "hold" on the boats only at that distance. Now I've looked at the Manual re your suggestion to use the smaller AF point - you're indeed right!

Now - if I combine that with Jon's good hint to use the Panning IS we do have in this camera, instead of a tripod - I might be getting somewhere, after, as he says, more practice.

I do appreciate your assistance, thanks.

Regards, Dave.