Please share your pre-focus technique and camera settings

raider · 10-18-2007, 05:22 AM

I would like to know what is the correct pre-focus technique (for fast moving objects) as well as the correct camera settings.

Would this setting/technique be acceptable?

1. Mount the camera on tripod.

2. set the "OK btn when shooting" setting to "Enable AF"

3. Compose the image via the viewfinder and press the OK button to focus on something first. By the way, do we need to use manual focus for this or we can use AF?

4. Then when the fast moving object move into the frame, press the shutter button all the way/use the remote shutter release cable.

Is this ok? please share your technique as I would like to learn.

Also, what would be the technique if we don't have a tripod?

Thanks!

little laker · 10-24-2007, 12:22 PM

I suppose that it really depends upon what your shooting, and what effect that you want.

For example if your shooting motorsports, and want some motion blur on the cars, but not the background your technique would work.

However if I was shooting a car race I'd leave the tripod at home. As a car was coming into view I'd aim the camera at it and pan along (follow the car with the camera) and take the photo when it's where I want it.
If this technique is done right the car should be sharp, and the background blurred.

The same basic technique can be used for most action sports photography.

As for focusing.
It can be tough. However here's 1 trick.
Focus to 1 spot and take the photo when the object reaches that spot.

If you use Auto Focus you have the right idea here

Quote:

set the "OK btn when shooting" setting to "Enable AF"

I've seen too many people not get a decent photo off using the shutter button to Auto Focus.
Their cameras just seem to search too much and don't snap the shot

I use Manual focus, and have always managed a couple of keepers.

I hope that this helps you a little.

blwnhr · 10-24-2007, 03:27 PM

For motorsport I just track the subject, totally hand-held, on AF.C with a selected focus point. I watch the red dot for the AF in the viewfinder as I'm tracking the car and keep the red dot on the same spot of the car the whole time, this means your panning is the right speed. Because I know the tracks I shoot at I know where I want the photo taken so I start firing a second before and keep tracking for about 2-3 seconds on continuous shutter.

I use Tv mode exclusively for this work at 1/180-1/250 with the Bigma and 1/60-1/125 on the 18-125.

Hope this helps.

raider · 10-24-2007, 04:13 PM

Thanks guys! Very useful tips.

Mike Cash · 10-25-2007, 03:13 AM

Forget the tripod. If anything, a monopod might be useful. If you're panning at all it will help to reduce or eliminate any vertical component to your movement.

Personally, since I use Takumars almost exclusively I would rely very strongly on pre-focusing and already be stopped down before the subject approached.

pentkon52 · 10-26-2007, 04:28 AM

Originally posted by raider

I would like to know what is the correct pre-focus technique (for fast moving objects) as well as the correct camera settings.

Would this setting/technique be acceptable?

1. Mount the camera on tripod.

2. set the "OK btn when shooting" setting to "Enable AF"

3. Compose the image via the viewfinder and press the OK button to focus on something first. By the way, do we need to use manual focus for this or we can use AF?

4. Then when the fast moving object move into the frame, press the shutter button all the way/use the remote shutter release cable.

Is this ok? please share your technique as I would like to learn.

Also, what would be the technique if we don't have a tripod?

Thanks!

Hi. My part time business is shooting equine sports events.

For this, i hand hold for the most part, the mono pod seems to slow me downa bit, but with VR hand holding works well.

I prefocus on the jump and when the horse does its thing, i fire. For dressage, reining, barrel racing, bull riding,, were the the horse is constantly moving, i just pan and follow and shoot when i see what i want.
I also use fast glass so i can geta high shutter speed for action freeze.

Hope that helps

Dave

raider · 10-26-2007, 04:41 AM

Originally posted by pentkon52

I prefocus on the jump and when the horse does its thing, i fire. For dressage, reining, barrel racing, bull riding,, were the the horse is constantly moving, i just pan and follow and shoot when i see what i want.

Hi. Do you use manual focus or AF-S or AF-C?

pentkon52 · 10-27-2007, 06:35 AM

AF-S, for 90 % of it.

Some times i use AF-C in dressage etc, but i find i get better results if i leave it in AF-S and just keep doing a machine gun type of finger action on the 1/2 shutter , then fire when i want. I fiind AF-C will sometimes be hunter a smidge when i shoot.

Dave

Mechan1k · 10-29-2007, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by blwnhr

For motorsport I just track the subject, totally hand-held, on AF.C with a selected focus point. I watch the red dot for the AF in the viewfinder as I'm tracking the car and keep the red dot on the same spot of the car the whole time, this means your panning is the right speed. Because I know the tracks I shoot at I know where I want the photo taken so I start firing a second before and keep tracking for about 2-3 seconds on continuous shutter.

I use Tv mode exclusively for this work at 1/180-1/250 with the Bigma and 1/60-1/125 on the 18-125.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for this information .... it's good to get a few pointers when it comes to Motorsport.
I wouldn't mind getting out to some events (between work) and have a go.

Your tips will make it easier for me to start off with and then fine tune.

So I take it you just hold down the shutter when tracking .... and hope to at least get one decent shout out of it ... kinda like shooting a machine gun I guess.

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-07-2007, 11:44 PM

I just joned, so I did not see your thread until now. I am a bit surprised that no one else on the list has not suggested using a manual focus lens to use Pentax' snap-in-focus.

Here's the way is works. Camera in AF.S (yes single auto, no shot till focused)
Lens in MF, or a MF lens ( eg my A 70-210)

Pre focus the lens manually where you expect to take the shot. Set your exposure. Make sure the in-focus light is out (don't aim at anything in the exact focus position). Track your subject while holding down the shutter release. Mr. Pentax will trip the shutter when the subject reaches the focus point. Presto! in focus shot of heavy action.

10-18-2007, 05:22 AM	#1
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989	Please share your pre-focus technique and camera settings I would like to know what is the correct pre-focus technique (for fast moving objects) as well as the correct camera settings. Would this setting/technique be acceptable? 1. Mount the camera on tripod. 2. set the "OK btn when shooting" setting to "Enable AF" 3. Compose the image via the viewfinder and press the OK button to focus on something first. By the way, do we need to use manual focus for this or we can use AF? 4. Then when the fast moving object move into the frame, press the shutter button all the way/use the remote shutter release cable. Is this ok? please share your technique as I would like to learn. Also, what would be the technique if we don't have a tripod? Thanks!

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10-24-2007, 12:22 PM	#2
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	I suppose that it really depends upon what your shooting, and what effect that you want. For example if your shooting motorsports, and want some motion blur on the cars, but not the background your technique would work. However if I was shooting a car race I'd leave the tripod at home. As a car was coming into view I'd aim the camera at it and pan along (follow the car with the camera) and take the photo when it's where I want it. If this technique is done right the car should be sharp, and the background blurred. The same basic technique can be used for most action sports photography. As for focusing. It can be tough. However here's 1 trick. Focus to 1 spot and take the photo when the object reaches that spot. If you use Auto Focus you have the right idea here Quote: set the "OK btn when shooting" setting to "Enable AF" I've seen too many people not get a decent photo off using the shutter button to Auto Focus. Their cameras just seem to search too much and don't snap the shot I use Manual focus, and have always managed a couple of keepers. I hope that this helps you a little.

10-24-2007, 03:27 PM	#3
blwnhr Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 663	For motorsport I just track the subject, totally hand-held, on AF.C with a selected focus point. I watch the red dot for the AF in the viewfinder as I'm tracking the car and keep the red dot on the same spot of the car the whole time, this means your panning is the right speed. Because I know the tracks I shoot at I know where I want the photo taken so I start firing a second before and keep tracking for about 2-3 seconds on continuous shutter. I use Tv mode exclusively for this work at 1/180-1/250 with the Bigma and 1/60-1/125 on the 18-125. Hope this helps.

10-24-2007, 04:13 PM	#4
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989 Original Poster	Thanks guys! Very useful tips.

10-25-2007, 03:13 AM	#5
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Forget the tripod. If anything, a monopod might be useful. If you're panning at all it will help to reduce or eliminate any vertical component to your movement. Personally, since I use Takumars almost exclusively I would rely very strongly on pre-focusing and already be stopped down before the subject approached.

10-26-2007, 04:28 AM	#6
pentkon52 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: York Region Canada Posts: 641	Originally posted by raider I would like to know what is the correct pre-focus technique (for fast moving objects) as well as the correct camera settings. Would this setting/technique be acceptable? 1. Mount the camera on tripod. 2. set the "OK btn when shooting" setting to "Enable AF" 3. Compose the image via the viewfinder and press the OK button to focus on something first. By the way, do we need to use manual focus for this or we can use AF? 4. Then when the fast moving object move into the frame, press the shutter button all the way/use the remote shutter release cable. Is this ok? please share your technique as I would like to learn. Also, what would be the technique if we don't have a tripod? Thanks! Hi. My part time business is shooting equine sports events. For this, i hand hold for the most part, the mono pod seems to slow me downa bit, but with VR hand holding works well. I prefocus on the jump and when the horse does its thing, i fire. For dressage, reining, barrel racing, bull riding,, were the the horse is constantly moving, i just pan and follow and shoot when i see what i want. I also use fast glass so i can geta high shutter speed for action freeze. Hope that helps Dave

10-26-2007, 04:41 AM	#7
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989 Original Poster	Originally posted by pentkon52 I prefocus on the jump and when the horse does its thing, i fire. For dressage, reining, barrel racing, bull riding,, were the the horse is constantly moving, i just pan and follow and shoot when i see what i want. Hi. Do you use manual focus or AF-S or AF-C?

10-27-2007, 06:35 AM	#8
pentkon52 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: York Region Canada Posts: 641	AF-S, for 90 % of it. Some times i use AF-C in dressage etc, but i find i get better results if i leave it in AF-S and just keep doing a machine gun type of finger action on the 1/2 shutter , then fire when i want. I fiind AF-C will sometimes be hunter a smidge when i shoot. Dave

10-29-2007, 06:21 PM	#9
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	Originally posted by blwnhr For motorsport I just track the subject, totally hand-held, on AF.C with a selected focus point. I watch the red dot for the AF in the viewfinder as I'm tracking the car and keep the red dot on the same spot of the car the whole time, this means your panning is the right speed. Because I know the tracks I shoot at I know where I want the photo taken so I start firing a second before and keep tracking for about 2-3 seconds on continuous shutter. I use Tv mode exclusively for this work at 1/180-1/250 with the Bigma and 1/60-1/125 on the 18-125. Hope this helps. Thanks for this information .... it's good to get a few pointers when it comes to Motorsport. I wouldn't mind getting out to some events (between work) and have a go. Your tips will make it easier for me to start off with and then fine tune. So I take it you just hold down the shutter when tracking .... and hope to at least get one decent shout out of it ... kinda like shooting a machine gun I guess.

11-07-2007, 11:44 PM	#10
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	I just joned, so I did not see your thread until now. I am a bit surprised that no one else on the list has not suggested using a manual focus lens to use Pentax' snap-in-focus. Here's the way is works. Camera in AF.S (yes single auto, no shot till focused) Lens in MF, or a MF lens ( eg my A 70-210) Pre focus the lens manually where you expect to take the shot. Set your exposure. Make sure the in-focus light is out (don't aim at anything in the exact focus position). Track your subject while holding down the shutter release. Mr. Pentax will trip the shutter when the subject reaches the focus point. Presto! in focus shot of heavy action.