[dosdan]

DA*200/2.8 @ 3,5

Florianlib, there was something about your first shot that reminded me of an old soccer shot I did with a K20D. It was the first time I'd got a chance to use my then-new DA* 60-250/F4 for sports. (I'd been mainly using a DA 55-300/F4-5.8 up 'til then). It was lightly raining too. U9 soccer from 2011.

1/640s, f/5, ISO400, 250mm FL




This is a recropped & reworked version. An earlier version is at https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/152114-sports-u9-socc...ml#post1581127

If I shot this with the K5 or K3 today, I'd use a slightly higher ISO so I could bring the shutter speed up to 1/1000s, or perhaps 1/800s. This cropped shot would definitely look sharper with the K-3.

Dan.

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Last edited by dosdan; 03-24-2014 at 02:22 AM.

[Randy B]

Thank you folks. Right now the 55-300 Pentax lens is on the K3 we just bought Thursday and it will probably stay on that camera. The K5IIs is host to the Sigma 18-250. I am gathering Y'all think that we would better served with a Pentax 18-270 or 18-250 than the Sigma lens, is this right?

[GvilleRick]

My favorite lens for sports is the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 but it's more expensive.

[DSims]

The K5IIs is host to the Sigma 18-250. I am gathering Y'all think that we would better served with a Pentax 18-270 or 18-250 than the Sigma lens, is this right?

Those are a little better overall, I think, but most of the time you wouldn't want to use them for action shooting. The Tamron 70-200/2.8 would be a pretty good bet here, since you have the latest bodies with faster screw-drive AF. On older bodies you might be better off with the more expensive Sigma's built-in motor, but on newer bodies the Tamron reportedly does quite well (I wouldn't be surprised if AF performance is slightly better than the Sigma on a K-3 or even K-5 IIs).

[Randy B]

Patty's pictures are almost exclusively wildlife. So the longer lens helps out a lot.

[GvilleRick]

Shot a few at a track meet this afternoon. Here are some favorites:

[dadipentak]

Some Girls Lax with the K-5IIs & Sigma 100-300/4. I've got a K-3 and plan to give it a whirl next week but not because I have problems with what I've been getting with this set-up.

[ChatMechant]

I honestly thought my k-01's AF worked better for moving subjects than my k-5. But then there was the lack of viewfinder.... anyway here's a shot from yesterday's bike jump contest. This guy landed it, btw:

[clackers]

I honestly thought my k-01's AF worked better for moving subjects than my k-5. But then there was the lack of viewfinder.... anyway here's a shot from yesterday's bike jump contest. This guy landed it, btw:

It's the opposite, ChatMechant.

The K-01 like many mirrorless cameras only has contrast detection AF, which is slow to track.

That's why Sony users prefer the NEX 6 to the top of the line NEX 7 for action, because it also has phase detection.

In your example shot (great pose by your model!), you've only got the bike at the top of its jump, when it's momentarily stationary.

[dadipentak]

OK, I obviously need help. I've been shooting my daughter's sports (now lacrosse) with the K-5IIs and getting decent results and figured I'd do even better with a K-3. That's not turning out to be the case: I've missed shots due to focus lag and my keeper ratio has plummeted. I shoot AF.S/spot focus, with a Sigma 100-300/4. Maybe the smaller focus points are too small for my inept technique?

[clackers]

I've missed shots due to focus lag and my keeper ratio has plummeted. I shoot AF.S/spot focus, with a Sigma 100-300/4.

Why AF.S instead of AF.C, Dadipentak?

[dadipentak]

Well I'm old school, I guess--just want to set the focus indicator on what I want sharp and fire. I don't do bursts. Basically, I'm leery of having the camera second-guess me, AF.S has worked pretty well for me. I might give AF.C another try, though.

[DSims]

Use AF-C, but don't shoot bursts - leave the shutter in single shot mode. It sounds like you want to use the technique where you focus with the rear AF button, but turn off the function where the camera re-focuses when you press the shutter button. You want to use AF-C and follow the subject with your focus point so when the moment's right you can press the shutter and already be focused. In AF-C you should usually continue holding the AF button throughout the process of taking the shot(s).


There are also nuances of new K-3 AF options that others may be able to help you with. I've only used a K-3 briefly for sports (where it performed well) and I haven't ever played with the new AF settings.

[clackers]

I don't do bursts.

Bursts are a proven sports photography strategy.

Single shot of a key moment that turns out to not be a keeper = 'regret'.

[jon404]

Difference from the K-5-IIs might be the larger sensor size -- read somewhere that things get more difficult as the image size increases. Increasing the number of focus points should help. Good luck! And post some pix here -- lacrosse is exciting...