[chedoy]

I took some photographs at a cross country ski race. with the K100D and DA 50-200MM.
Some camera settings I thought pertinent:
REC MODE
1) AE Metering set to SPOT
2) Swtch dst msr pt set to SPOT
3) AF Mode set to AF.C
CUSTOM MODE
1) Link AF Point and AE2 > ON
2) AE-L with AF Locked > ON

The focus sure was hunting. With the skiers coming at me head-on, it was problematic. With them crossing the screen, and panning, it was whir-whir-whir. And of course, you can't really review shots that well outside to see if they're in focus, but I could see there were bluirred. I switched to a different DSLR when I saw that.

Here's a example. Focus probably on the trees. I also had the exposure compensation the wrong way, but it was shot in raw.
ISO 200, f5.6, 1/1000 second, IS ON. 160mm

I'm thinking I should have set up focus for matrix somewhere, but don't know where,

EDIT: Mistyped the exposure. It was 1/1000 instead of 1/100.

Attached Images

 

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Last edited by chedoy; 02-04-2008 at 05:19 PM.

[pasipasi]

In that situation I would probably use ISO 400 or 800 and go with manual focus. I have a manual focus one-touch zoom-focus lense which is quite handy. This said, I don't have a tele zoom automatic focus lens so I don't have any experience with those.

[ftpaddict]

Practice manual focusing
It beats focus tracking, because it uses your own brain.
Even if there's enough light, you might want to use higher ISO values and stop the lens down a tad, to get more depth of field. That would help correct any slight errors in focusing.

[trumpyman]

Attachment 8200[ATTACH]Attachment 8197[/ATTACH]
hope these pics work. I took these at a snowboard comp in Australia.I use the k10.with the k100d i think u will have to go to manuel and set shutter speeds between 1/1000 to 2/000 with matrix metering ,ISO 100 to 200. hopefully u will be able to get the exif of these. I took 220 shots that day and got 200 keepers ,was very happy bout that.

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Last edited by trumpyman; 03-03-2008 at 07:46 PM.

[trumpyman]

Just my opinion but i wouldnt worry to much with manuel focus.I always use auto single and these were shot with a cheap $150 lens.Tamron 80-210mm. but to each there own. Just wanted u to know u can get good shots with auto focus. good luk

[McD]

I shoot lot's of action sports with my K10. In the past year I have done some work for All Terrain Vehicle magazine, and Supertraxx magazine and have had excellent results doing the following. Instead of using AF.C us AF.S. Pick your spot where you expect your subject to be in your frame when he passes, and focus on the ground in the spot, then lock your focus and wait hoping you catch them at or around the mark. I have found that the continuous focus on the K10 can't keep up with fast moving subjects so I avoid using it at all costs. I almost always try to shoot at 1/1000 or faster as well, and have been lucky with getting sunny days so I don't have to boost the I.S.O. As for metering, just meter your scene before hand to find your correct exposure. Setting up your shot frame wise and exposure before your subject is near is key. Hope this helps,

Kyle.

[JMS]

My method is to use my manual 70-210mm in the "trap focus" mode. that means it doesn't hunt, and my picture gets taken as soon as it's sharp enough.

[wlachan]

Looks like the typical issue with Pentax DSLRs where the wide area AF sensors are being attracted by the higher contrast background as the subject gets smaller and not covers the entire chosen AF sensor. You can work around the issue by framing closer so that the chosen AF sensor would be "filled" by the subject.

[Bertjes]

when you folow your object with your camera you can use a slower speed 1/100 - 1/200 for example.