Monopod in low light

luismpg · 03-27-2018, 02:59 AM

Hello Pentaxians

Do you think the use of a monopod will increase the AF accuracy of the camera in low light situations.
The issue is that I'm shooting at indoor volleyball games shooting at 1/500 or higher, the hand shake problems aren't a problem at this speed, but should it incresse the AF accuracy?

regards

mikepl · 03-27-2018, 03:20 AM - **3 Likes**

Hi,
I believe monopod can really help the AF.
A few days back I read some interview with a Canon technician explaining that lens stabilization ON helps autofocus precision in challenging situations as it stabilizes the picture and helps the AF sensor - I believe this is similar to what monopod with steady hands can do.

I have no great results with shooting dogs when running really fast - when handholding the lens. Especially not with our fastest dog that I never shot precisely focused when running other than perpendicular to the camera. However, yesterday I was shooting my dogs with KP and Sigma 70-200/2.8 (latest version). I have a cheap Rollei tripod that can be converted into monopod. I mounted the camera onto the the monopod, and also I turned OFF the in body stabilization and turned ON the in lens stabilization (just to add even more stability to the AF. The light was really bad and I must admit the black dog is VERY fast (much faster than looks on photos) and erraticly moving even when running at full speed so the 1/2000s I used was not really fast enough and I can see some motion blur in all the photos. Nevertheless, I was trying to focus on the black dog's head. I used expanded area S and AF Hold OFF. These are just converted from raw, nothing done to them. High ISO does not help either but I hope you will get my point. I mean, I have to improve my technique further to get better but I consider this is not that bad focusing at all for such an extremely difficult subject (if only you could try shooting this particular dog to see what I mean ;-) ).

mike

**robgski** · 03-27-2018, 03:37 AM - **1 Like**

Yes, you should see improved results, but practice with the monopod so it is natural to you.

luismpg · 03-27-2018, 03:59 AM

I use the same Sigma 70-200 lens as you but use IBIS. The results are not too bad. Next time I'll try lens stabilization to see if is better. Many Thanks

**Kerrowdown** · 03-27-2018, 04:53 AM

Originally posted by luismpg

Monopod in low light

For me a monopod works well at various sports events, where after longer periods, big or fast glass becomes heavy to hold steady.

luismpg · 03-27-2018, 12:29 PM

Originally posted by mikepl

Hi,
I believe monopod can really help the AF.
A few days back I read some interview with a Canon technician explaining that lens stabilization ON helps autofocus precision in challenging situations as it stabilizes the picture and helps the AF sensor - I believe this is similar to what monopod with steady hands can do.

I have no great results with shooting dogs when running really fast - when handholding the lens. Especially not with our fastest dog that I never shot precisely focused when running other than perpendicular to the camera. However, yesterday I was shooting my dogs with KP and Sigma 70-200/2.8 (latest version). I have a cheap Rollei tripod that can be converted into monopod. I mounted the camera onto the the monopod, and also I turned OFF the in body stabilization and turned ON the in lens stabilization (just to add even more stability to the AF. The light was really bad and I must admit the black dog is VERY fast (much faster than looks on photos) and erraticly moving even when running at full speed so the 1/2000s I used was not really fast enough and I can see some motion blur in all the photos. Nevertheless, I was trying to focus on the black dog's head. I used expanded area S and AF Hold OFF. These are just converted from raw, nothing done to them. High ISO does not help either but I hope you will get my point. I mean, I have to improve my technique further to get better but I consider this is not that bad focusing at all for such an extremely difficult subject (if only you could try shooting this particular dog to see what I mean ;-) ).

mike

In the lens do you use position 1( 2 axis stabilization) or position 2( 4 axis stabilization)?

mikepl · 03-27-2018, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by luismpg

In the lens do you use position 1( 2 axis stabilization) or position 2( 4 axis stabilization)?

I believe position 1 is complete 4-axis and position 2 is for panning. With the monopod and a subject not so brutally changing direction I felt better with the complete 4-axis IS in position 1 despite it jumped a bit sometimes, of course. But nothing that could affect my tracking. I haven´t tested it really properly yet but it seems to me that unless the subject is extremely erraticaly moving (like BIF, for example) then position 1 should not be a problem (for soccer, basketball etc.). But try for yourself what works best with your shooting style.
mike

bschriver11 · 03-27-2018, 03:22 PM

I've generally found that the uniforms tend to be mostly one color so the low light plus lack of contrast makes things more difficult for the auto focus to hit the bullseye, i always try to focus on the numbers on the uniforms to help the focus out as much as possible. I've also found that my delay in pressing the shutter after focus was locked wasn't helping either, you need to be quick on the trigger. The monopod may help but i've never tried mine, i was just more comfortable with the freedom of movement hand held.

03-27-2018, 02:59 AM	#1
luismpg Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 49	Monopod in low light Hello Pentaxians Do you think the use of a monopod will increase the AF accuracy of the camera in low light situations. The issue is that I'm shooting at indoor volleyball games shooting at 1/500 or higher, the hand shake problems aren't a problem at this speed, but should it incresse the AF accuracy? regards

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03-27-2018, 03:37 AM - 1 Like	#3
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,817	Yes, you should see improved results, but practice with the monopod so it is natural to you.

03-27-2018, 03:59 AM	#4
luismpg Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 49 Original Poster	I use the same Sigma 70-200 lens as you but use IBIS. The results are not too bad. Next time I'll try lens stabilization to see if is better. Many Thanks

03-27-2018, 04:53 AM	#5
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Originally posted by luismpg Monopod in low light For me a monopod works well at various sports events, where after longer periods, big or fast glass becomes heavy to hold steady.

03-27-2018, 12:29 PM	#6
luismpg Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 49 Original Poster	Originally posted by mikepl Hi, I believe monopod can really help the AF. A few days back I read some interview with a Canon technician explaining that lens stabilization ON helps autofocus precision in challenging situations as it stabilizes the picture and helps the AF sensor - I believe this is similar to what monopod with steady hands can do. I have no great results with shooting dogs when running really fast - when handholding the lens. Especially not with our fastest dog that I never shot precisely focused when running other than perpendicular to the camera. However, yesterday I was shooting my dogs with KP and Sigma 70-200/2.8 (latest version). I have a cheap Rollei tripod that can be converted into monopod. I mounted the camera onto the the monopod, and also I turned OFF the in body stabilization and turned ON the in lens stabilization (just to add even more stability to the AF. The light was really bad and I must admit the black dog is VERY fast (much faster than looks on photos) and erraticly moving even when running at full speed so the 1/2000s I used was not really fast enough and I can see some motion blur in all the photos. Nevertheless, I was trying to focus on the black dog's head. I used expanded area S and AF Hold OFF. These are just converted from raw, nothing done to them. High ISO does not help either but I hope you will get my point. I mean, I have to improve my technique further to get better but I consider this is not that bad focusing at all for such an extremely difficult subject (if only you could try shooting this particular dog to see what I mean ;-) ). mike In the lens do you use position 1( 2 axis stabilization) or position 2( 4 axis stabilization)?

03-27-2018, 01:32 PM	#7
mikepl New Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 13	Originally posted by luismpg In the lens do you use position 1( 2 axis stabilization) or position 2( 4 axis stabilization)? I believe position 1 is complete 4-axis and position 2 is for panning. With the monopod and a subject not so brutally changing direction I felt better with the complete 4-axis IS in position 1 despite it jumped a bit sometimes, of course. But nothing that could affect my tracking. I haven´t tested it really properly yet but it seems to me that unless the subject is extremely erraticaly moving (like BIF, for example) then position 1 should not be a problem (for soccer, basketball etc.). But try for yourself what works best with your shooting style. mike

03-27-2018, 03:22 PM	#8
bschriver11 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 559	I've generally found that the uniforms tend to be mostly one color so the low light plus lack of contrast makes things more difficult for the auto focus to hit the bullseye, i always try to focus on the numbers on the uniforms to help the focus out as much as possible. I've also found that my delay in pressing the shutter after focus was locked wasn't helping either, you need to be quick on the trigger. The monopod may help but i've never tried mine, i was just more comfortable with the freedom of movement hand held.