Fast Moving Objects

LegOverHead · 12-09-2011, 08:49 PM

Is there like a technique to shooting moving objects, my Tamron 28-75 cant focus that fast enough. Only solution I can really think of is manual focus.

Docrwm · 12-09-2011, 09:00 PM - **1 Like**

Pre-focus and trap-in-focus are going to help a lot.

RioRico · 12-09-2011, 09:11 PM - **1 Like**

To expand a bit: Trap-focus aka catch-in-focus (CIF) is very useful. Prefocus on a spot and hold down the shutter button. When a subject comes into focus there, the shutter snaps.

Another technique is zone-focus or hyperfocus. Set the focus and aperture for a desired DOF and hit the shutter when the subject is within that zone. I pace-off distances for this trick.

Yet another way is to set your autofocus to AF.C (continuous) and the drive mode to burst or continuous, and just spray-and-pray.

And of course, if the subject isn't too far away, a BIG HONKING FLASH may stop its motion visually. Good luck!

LegOverHead · 12-09-2011, 09:14 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Pre-focus and trap-in-focus are going to help a lot.

Originally posted by RioRico

To expand a bit: Trap-focus aka catch-in-focus (CIF) is very useful. Prefocus on a spot and wait for the subject to move into focus there. Another technique is zone-focus or hyperfocus. Set the focus and aperture for a desired DOF and hit the shutter when the subject is within that zone. Yet another way is to set your autofocus to AF.C (continuous) and the drive mode to burst or continuous, and just spray-and-pray. If the subject isn't too far away, a BIG HONKING FLASH may stop its motion visually. Good luck!

Thanks guys, going to give this a shot!

Brooke Meyer · 12-09-2011, 09:31 PM - **1 Like**

Follow the subject using the rear AF button. Stay on it and you'll be good when you press the shutter. This with a Tamron 28-75. I have lots more with the Tamron.

Brooke Meyer · 12-09-2011, 09:33 PM

Follow the subject using the rear AF button. Stay on it and you'll be good when you press the shutter. This with a Tamron 28-75. I have lots more with the Tamron.

Frogfish · 12-09-2011, 09:38 PM - **1 Like**

You don't say what the object is but panning can also help especially if used in conjunction with AF.C.

LegOverHead · 12-09-2011, 11:15 PM

Originally posted by Brooke Meyer

Follow the subject using the rear AF button. Stay on it and you'll be good when you press the shutter. This with a Tamron 28-75. I have lots more with the Tamron.

Not to sound dumb, but rear AF button? And excellent picture!

Originally posted by Frogfish

You don't say what the object is but panning can also help especially if used in conjunction with AF.C.

Like moving cars, moving people (especially breakdancers)

**jatrax** · 12-09-2011, 11:51 PM

Originally posted by LegOverHead

Not to sound dumb, but rear AF button?

You did not mention which camera you have but the AF button is a button on the back of some Pentax cameras. I know the k-x and k5 have it not sure about others. It needs configured in the menus depending on how you want it to work. It can be in addition to the AF function in the shutter release or instead of it.

Mike Cash · 12-10-2011, 12:06 AM

After reading advice about using the rear AF button repeatedly over the last few years, I decided to give it a try at my recent dance shoot.

Frankly, I didn't see the point to it. All it did for me was give me an awkward grip in the camera.

RioRico · 12-10-2011, 01:07 AM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

After reading advice about using the rear AF button repeatedly over the last few years, I decided to give it a try at my recent dance shoot.

Frankly, I didn't see the point to it. All it did for me was give me an awkward grip in the camera.

I use the rear AF button on my K20D very very rarely. For me, it's only to prefocus to bring the AF into the right range to avoid hunting at a critical moment. Yes, it makes for a very clumsy and awkward grip. I certainly wouldn't use it to track fast-moving objects.

Marc Sabatella · 12-10-2011, 09:13 AM

I'm sure it's different on different models, but on the K200D, I can and do shoot with my thumb on the OK button (our equivalent of the AF button) all day long and I don't find it awkward at all. On the contrary, I find it essential, and wouldn't want to consider working without that option for moving targets. But FWIW, I have it set so the button temporarily cancels AF, rather than to enable it. So shutter does AF *unless* my thumb is on the button. I totally depend on this in my following of moving targets. Both for the ability to prefocus but also because with my thumb on the button, I can track focus manually. Beats having to actually constantly switch in and out of MF mode using the lever on the front of the camera. This assumes, of course, you are using a lens with Quick Shift.

LegOverHead · 12-10-2011, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

You did not mention which camera you have but the AF button is a button on the back of some Pentax cameras. I know the k-x and k5 have it not sure about others. It needs configured in the menus depending on how you want it to work. It can be in addition to the AF function in the shutter release or instead of it.

Using the Pentax K100DS

Brooke Meyer · 12-11-2011, 12:44 AM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

After reading advice about using the rear AF button repeatedly over the last few years, I decided to give it a try at my recent dance shoot.

Frankly, I didn't see the point to it. All it did for me was give me an awkward grip in the camera.

It might take a little getting used to. I've done it for so long, its second nature. This from today. Tamron again. too.

bigdavephoto · 12-11-2011, 01:42 PM

If you are shooting cars, use continuous focus and panning, but don't stop panning right when you push the shutter release button, continue panning as the car passes by.

Here are a couple I shot.

Btw, Both are running around 200 mph.

12-09-2011, 08:49 PM	#1
LegOverHead Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 369	Fast Moving Objects Is there like a technique to shooting moving objects, my Tamron 28-75 cant focus that fast enough. Only solution I can really think of is manual focus.

12-09-2011, 09:33 PM	#6
Brooke Meyer Guest	Track with AF Button Follow the subject using the rear AF button. Stay on it and you'll be good when you press the shutter. This with a Tamron 28-75. I have lots more with the Tamron.

12-10-2011, 09:13 AM	#12
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	I'm sure it's different on different models, but on the K200D, I can and do shoot with my thumb on the OK button (our equivalent of the AF button) all day long and I don't find it awkward at all. On the contrary, I find it essential, and wouldn't want to consider working without that option for moving targets. But FWIW, I have it set so the button temporarily cancels AF, rather than to enable it. So shutter does AF unless my thumb is on the button. I totally depend on this in my following of moving targets. Both for the ability to prefocus but also because with my thumb on the button, I can track focus manually. Beats having to actually constantly switch in and out of MF mode using the lever on the front of the camera. This assumes, of course, you are using a lens with Quick Shift. Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 12-11-2011 at 04:49 PM.

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12-09-2011, 09:00 PM - 1 Like	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Pre-focus and trap-in-focus are going to help a lot.

12-09-2011, 09:11 PM - 1 Like	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	To expand a bit: Trap-focus aka catch-in-focus (CIF) is very useful. Prefocus on a spot and hold down the shutter button. When a subject comes into focus there, the shutter snaps. Another technique is zone-focus or hyperfocus. Set the focus and aperture for a desired DOF and hit the shutter when the subject is within that zone. I pace-off distances for this trick. Yet another way is to set your autofocus to AF.C (continuous) and the drive mode to burst or continuous, and just spray-and-pray. And of course, if the subject isn't too far away, a BIG HONKING FLASH may stop its motion visually. Good luck!

12-09-2011, 09:14 PM	#4
LegOverHead Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 369 Original Poster	Originally posted by Docrwm Pre-focus and trap-in-focus are going to help a lot. Originally posted by RioRico To expand a bit: Trap-focus aka catch-in-focus (CIF) is very useful. Prefocus on a spot and wait for the subject to move into focus there. Another technique is zone-focus or hyperfocus. Set the focus and aperture for a desired DOF and hit the shutter when the subject is within that zone. Yet another way is to set your autofocus to AF.C (continuous) and the drive mode to burst or continuous, and just spray-and-pray. If the subject isn't too far away, a BIG HONKING FLASH may stop its motion visually. Good luck! Thanks guys, going to give this a shot!

12-09-2011, 09:38 PM - 1 Like	#7
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	You don't say what the object is but panning can also help especially if used in conjunction with AF.C.

12-09-2011, 11:15 PM	#8
LegOverHead Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 369 Original Poster	Originally posted by Brooke Meyer Follow the subject using the rear AF button. Stay on it and you'll be good when you press the shutter. This with a Tamron 28-75. I have lots more with the Tamron. Not to sound dumb, but rear AF button? And excellent picture! Originally posted by Frogfish You don't say what the object is but panning can also help especially if used in conjunction with AF.C. Like moving cars, moving people (especially breakdancers)

12-09-2011, 11:51 PM	#9
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Originally posted by LegOverHead Not to sound dumb, but rear AF button? You did not mention which camera you have but the AF button is a button on the back of some Pentax cameras. I know the k-x and k5 have it not sure about others. It needs configured in the menus depending on how you want it to work. It can be in addition to the AF function in the shutter release or instead of it.

12-10-2011, 12:06 AM	#10
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	After reading advice about using the rear AF button repeatedly over the last few years, I decided to give it a try at my recent dance shoot. Frankly, I didn't see the point to it. All it did for me was give me an awkward grip in the camera.

12-10-2011, 01:07 AM	#11
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Mike Cash After reading advice about using the rear AF button repeatedly over the last few years, I decided to give it a try at my recent dance shoot. Frankly, I didn't see the point to it. All it did for me was give me an awkward grip in the camera. I use the rear AF button on my K20D very very rarely. For me, it's only to prefocus to bring the AF into the right range to avoid hunting at a critical moment. Yes, it makes for a very clumsy and awkward grip. I certainly wouldn't use it to track fast-moving objects.

12-10-2011, 11:21 AM	#13
LegOverHead Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 369 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax You did not mention which camera you have but the AF button is a button on the back of some Pentax cameras. I know the k-x and k5 have it not sure about others. It needs configured in the menus depending on how you want it to work. It can be in addition to the AF function in the shutter release or instead of it. Using the Pentax K100DS