Originally posted by ecruz Recently purchased a Tamron 70-200 2.8, mostly for photos for my 2 boy's soccer games. I was using a 18-135mm WR. Reason for going to the Tamron, longer range and larger apertures. I've used the Tamron 3 or 4 times now and I'm getting inconsistent pics. Some are amazingly sharp & some I completely miss. The majority, however, are somewhere in the middle. Mostly in focus, but not razor sharp. I'm using a monopod for the soccer games. I usually shoot in Av (aperture priority), with an ISO of 400 or higher and let the camera choose the shutter speed. I try to keep the shutter speed above 1/500. I've tried different apertures, from 2.8 up to 8. I mostly use spot focus & have tried both single & continuous.
I've also been practicing on my lunch hour, in the park shooting squirrels & baby geese, with very similar results. Some great, some terrible, but mostly so-so.
Any tips for getting more sharp photos & fewer so-so photos?
I have had the same lens for several years, and use it routinely for soccer and swimming. It's a great lens once you learn how to use it to its potential. You didn't mention which body you are using. I am using a K-3, and find it far superior to the K20D that I originally used with this lens, or even the K-5. Here is what I've learned.
First, be sure to use the hood. Also, take the time to calibrate your camera AF with the lens.
For soccer, I try to keep the shutter speed higher (usually 800 or above), which helps to eliminate motion blur. As for aperture, I almost never go below f/5.6 and try to use f/8 for action shots unless I must, because the depth of field gets too thin to focus accurately. I use TAv mode and let the ISO float as lighting changes.
A monopod is helpful (to prevent fatigue at least), but not needed if you get shutter speed around 800-1000.
I only use continuous focus, and usually select the focus points myself depending on how I expect to frame the shot. I use AF button focusing so I can choose when to change my focus points (and this helps when line refs or other players run across my view). I continually adjust the focus as I follow the action. With the bright f/2.8, I can clearly see when my shot is in focus through the viewfinder. I almost always prefocus on the player or players where I think the picture will be, then press the shutter (using high speed continuous shutter) when I'm ready to fire a burst of shots. For free and corner kicks, I focus on the ball on the ground while the player is getting ready.
Lastly, I try to position myself perpendicular to the line of action so the distance stays roughly constant. The Tamron isn't the fastest to focus, so it is pretty difficult to get a sharp photo when the action is moving directly towards or away from me. If I have to do that, I try to prefocus on a spot and shoot as the action approaches it.
Hope that helps a little.
Kevin