Canon 70-200 F4 L Is........

[The Vulcan]

I know "Hughden" will have the answer

What are the setting for tack sharpness on the above lens for action stuff?

Action images passing across me are not a problem

The same image moving away/towards me is a problem.

I'm setting IS, 3m - 00, AF, stabilizer mode 2. Centre AF point only and A1 servo. Half depressing the shutter to lock in on the subject matter and assume the lens will track the lock.

Shooting at 1/200th @ F8 to allow for speed and a decent (ish) DOF

BUT - still failing to "pin" the subject !

Anything wrong with my settings?

Or is it the 5D autofocus being inadequate - ?

See this image - hardly a 300 km Ferrari coming at me and I missed it!

EOS 1ds the answer?

Edited June 19, 2009 by The Vulcan

[hughden]

I'm not sure I have an answer, but I can offer an opinion.

First of all, at the size you have posted, it looks pretty sharp to me.

The subject is moving up and forwards, which is a challenge for the photographer to track. I assume you are nearer to 70mm than 200mm, which adds to the panning challenge; the closer you are, the more you have to move to camera. So, any lack of sharpness could be down to imperfect tracking (not that I am suggesting for a moment that you would do that!).

The subject moving upwards and then forwards, albeit only slightly, is also a challenge for the AI servo. It is predicting where the subject will be when you press the shutter so can be confused by an apparent change in direction. I have a friend with the 5D and he is not that impressed with the reaction speed of the AI servo.

Given your panning movement and the movement of the children, I would have used a higher shutter speed. Given the amount of blur on the hands and feet (which looks good), I expect what you have is some slight motion blur on the rest of the body, rather than a AI servo tracking problem. The DOF at F8 should be enough to cover any slight variation in where the camera has chosen focus.

If you want an excuse for an upgrade, blame the camera and get a 1D.

Otherwise, blame the children.

Under no circumstances take personal responsibility.

That's how I have managed to justify all my cameras!

[The Vulcan]

Hi "Hugh"

Yes I was at 97mm as you guessed.

I figured a shorter focal range would in fact have given me more chance as the DOF at f8 would be greater. I see your point re shutter speed though and maybe this is the issue.

Conversely fill-in-flash was also used to freeze the subject!

Oh well, more practice needed - been a loooong time since I shot "action"

Just had the 5D "hot-rodded" (AA filter removed for more sharpness) so no intention of changing. (this week anyway :D )

Thanks for the input

[Tywais]

I figured a shorter focal range would in fact have given me more chance as the DOF at f8 would be greater. I see your point re shutter speed though and maybe this is the issue.

Conversely fill-in-flash was also used to freeze the subject!

Just a technical observation. At 1/200 that is a 5 millisecond exposure time. The hand motion during the jump is certainly going to be more rapid then the body motion (at apogee) as she adjusts balance and will be moving during that 5ms time. 2nd, the fill in flash will not compensate for it as it is not the primary lighting source. Now if it was quite dark and the flash was primary then it would stop action the shot nicely.

In short, I'm rather positive it is motion blur rather then focus.

[The Vulcan]

I figured a shorter focal range would in fact have given me more chance as the DOF at f8 would be greater. I see your point re shutter speed though and maybe this is the issue.

Conversely fill-in-flash was also used to freeze the subject!

Just a technical observation. At 1/200 that is a 5 millisecond exposure time. The hand motion during the jump is certainly going to be more rapid then the body motion (at apogee) as she adjusts balance and will be moving during that 5ms time. 2nd, the fill in flash will not compensate for it as it is not the primary lighting source. Now if it was quite dark and the flash was primary then it would stop action the shot nicely.

In short, I'm rather positive it is motion blur rather then focus.

Yes, agreed. The flash factor is irrelevant in this instance. Naive of me. Good point.

[Nordlys]

In short, I'm rather positive it is motion blur rather then focus.

That's what I thought too given the bicycle far in the background is only slightly out of focus. Didn't really see which part of the subject (girl) is out of focus. Vulcan must have really sharp eyes.