Earlier, I posted some pictures of my daughter riding and running in a duathalon (see: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/63535-disappointment.html); I was disappointed in the poor focus that I managed to achieve.

Early this morning, I took pictures of my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter in Fourth of July races here in Lake Jackson, and - while not perfect - the results were more satisfying. I used my DA 70 and set my K20D to ISO 800 and a shutter speed of 1/750s, which allowed lens openings of f/8-11. I used continuous focus and continuous shooting mode (High), and most of the images were acceptably in focus. Below are three examples. It'll be interesting to see what the new K-7 will "bring to the party" for this kind of shooting. The AF system apparently has been souped up, but whether the changes are meaningful in real-world shooting is still not clear - at least not to me.

Jer

Daughter:



Son-in-Law:



Granddaughter (with some help from Mom):

[Heinrich Lohmann]

Hi Jer, nothing wrong with the focus here and that last image is precious. Thanks for for posting them.

[stevebrot]

Hi,
I read your post today and also looked at the previous pictures. What you posted does not look bad at all and is pretty representative of the kind of results anyone can expect who does not do this kind of shooting on a regular basis. I can make a few comments based on my recent experience shooting some bicycle racing (posted here). Here is what I learned:

• CF (continuous focus) is a good tool, but allows shutter release even when focus has not been attained. Be prepared for a lot of OOF shots.
• Be aware that the camera may lock focus on something other than your subject. This is particularly true when shooting a group of runners or bicycles moving against a stationary background. I have about a dozen shots where the trees or crowd in the background are razor sharp and the bikes are blurry.
• Unless you pan, you will need a high shutter speed to stop action. With high shutter speed, SR is not needed as much. If you pan, SR should be turned off. So much for SR.
• It takes a few milliseconds for SR to "lock" (the hand appears). I don't know for sure, but I have wondered whether SR stays engaged and active during a continuous shooting burst.
• Continuous shooting mode is helpful for the "spray and pray" approach, but even in the best case there is only time for 3-4 shots before the action passes you by.
• TAv mode is your friend. Set the aperture you like and the shutter speed you need and let the camera set the ISO.

What I finally ended up doing was to turn off both AF and SR and pan the action. MRRiley does this kind of shooting on a regular basis with a Pentax body. With any luck he may chime in with his advice.

Steve

[Jimbo]

Great advise Steve. I tend to set the ISO at say 500-800, depending on light of coarse and shoot in AV mode trying to make use the shutter speed is 1/500 sec or higher. Believe me, I am new to all this so I will be checking your suggestions out the next time I have similar shots. Sailer, these are excellent photo's and the focus is dead on. Well done and I agree, the last shot is really cute! JIM

PS: Lovely family my friend

[Sailor]

Hi Jer, nothing wrong with the focus here and that last image is precious. Thanks for for posting them.

Thanks much, my friend. I really appreciate it.

Jer

Hi,
I read your post today and also looked at the previous pictures. What you posted does not look bad at all and is pretty representative of the kind of results anyone can expect who does not do this kind of shooting on a regular basis. I can make a few comments based on my recent experience shooting some bicycle racing (posted here). Here is what I learned:

• CF (continuous focus) is a good tool, but allows shutter release even when focus has not been attained. Be prepared for a lot of OOF shots.
• Be aware that the camera may lock focus on something other than your subject. This is particularly true when shooting a group of runners or bicycles moving against a stationary background. I have about a dozen shots where the trees or crowd in the background are razor sharp and the bikes are blurry.
• Unless you pan, you will need a high shutter speed to stop action. With high shutter speed, SR is not needed as much. If you pan, SR should be turned off. So much for SR.
• It takes a few milliseconds for SR to "lock" (the hand appears). I don't know for sure, but I have wondered whether SR stays engaged and active during a continuous shooting burst.
• Continuous shooting mode is helpful for the "spray and pray" approach, but even in the best case there is only time for 3-4 shots before the action passes you by.
• TAv mode is your friend. Set the aperture you like and the shutter speed you need and let the camera set the ISO.

What I finally ended up doing was to turn off both AF and SR and pan the action. MRRiley does this kind of shooting on a regular basis with a Pentax body. With any luck he may chime in with his advice.

Steve

Steve, thanks for going to all of the trouble to share your tips and experience - frankly, I never thought of using TAv mode - I'll give it a try.

Jer

Great advise Steve. I tend to set the ISO at say 500-800, depending on light of coarse and shoot in AV mode trying to make use the shutter speed is 1/500 sec or higher. Believe me, I am new to all this so I will be checking your suggestions out the next time I have similar shots. Sailer, these are excellent photo's and the focus is dead on. Well done and I agree, the last shot is really cute! JIM

PS: Lovely family my friend

Hey buddy, thanks for the kind words.

Jer

[Scottnorwo]

Good shots. Your strategy worked well. third photo a winner for sure

[Sailor]

Good shots. Your strategy worked well. third photo a winner for sure

Thanks, Scott - very much. After this race yesterday, my daughter did a duathalon up in Katy this morning and took first overall (women) - so she's not disappointed either.

Jer

[cardinal43]

Interesting that you got your S-I-L with both feet off the ground, and your daughter in the first phot has her foot firmly planted. Love the expression on your granddaughter's face.

[Mallee Boy]

Good stuff Jer,
....where does the Grand daughter get that look of determination from?? remind me to keep outta her way!!!

Its all about that damned learning curve, I have been trying to take some night shots recently of a particular subject and its not easy!!

Cheers
Grant

[Sailor]

Interesting that you got your S-I-L with both feet off the ground, and your daughter in the first phot has her foot firmly planted. Love the expression on your granddaughter's face.

Thanks much.

Jer

Good stuff Jer,
....where does the Grand daughter get that look of determination from?? remind me to keep outta her way!!!

Its all about that damned learning curve, I have been trying to take some night shots recently of a particular subject and its not easy!!

Cheers
Grant

Thanks, buddy. Yup, learning and experimenting is part of the fun.

Jer