Newbie needs help...

Peteey · 01-23-2009, 11:04 PM

Hi,
I recently bought a K20d and 18-250mm lens. It's my foray into DSLRs. I've read through the manual, made what I thought were proper adjustments and started taking some pictures. For starters, I used Autofocus when shooting my 6 year old son in action doing day to day activities. Most of the pictures I'm taking turn out blurry, even though I have shake reduction on, and I'm careful when pressing shutter button. This especially true on the pictures I zoom in on. What am I missing here? Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

mickeyobe · 01-24-2009, 12:57 AM

Show us some pictures.

Mickey

southy · 01-24-2009, 01:05 AM

keep in mind subjects will still undergo motion blur as well, so it really depends on shooting conditions here. Shutter speed > shake reduction

asdf · 01-24-2009, 01:08 AM

Shake reduction does not reduce the shake of the subject.

The previous poster suggested looking at shutter speed. Increase it until you're satisfied with the result. You may have to use a flash.

ozzi-paul · 01-24-2009, 05:52 AM

It may help if you set your AF point to centre to make sure it is focusing in the centre of
the frame if thats where your subject is.

Marc Sabatella · 01-24-2009, 12:09 PM

Pictures would help. But we could also tell a lot just knowing the focal length and exposure settings. If shutter speed wasn't fast enough to stop the subject motion, that's your problem right there. And SR doesn't work miracles - you can't expect shake-free pictures at 1/20" when zoomed to 250mm.

heatherslightbox · 01-24-2009, 04:27 PM

Try using it in shutter-priority mode (Tv) and set the shutter to 1/125 or faster. Since you're shooting your child, who's in perpetual motion, make sure you set the focus switch on the front of the camera to AF.C, which is continuous autofocus and will help you get a better focused picture.

HTH,
Heather

Peteey · 01-29-2009, 09:06 PM

Greetings,
I will do the things suggested, thanks.

Mark S, I think you are right when you say "An SR doesn't work miracles - you can't expect shake-free pictures at 1/20" when zoomed to 250mm. "

Thanks again for your input...

What a great resource!

Peteey

sluggo913 · 01-29-2009, 09:22 PM

Capturing quick moving kids is not easy and if you are not use to shooting a moving target it is harder, it can be done higher shutter speed as suggested, pan (move the camera with your childs motion) this takes practice. My 9 year old plays hockey and 12 year old plays basketball I take pictures of them all the time, you will get it.

Luciferase · 01-29-2009, 10:11 PM

Sharp picture need (just to name a few):

1. more than enough light
2. fast shutter
3. steady subject
4. monopod/ tripod
5. high ISO
6. big lens
7. shake stabliser
8. steady hands
9. good skills
10. good timing
11. all of the above

01-23-2009, 11:04 PM	#1
Peteey Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 3	Newbie needs help... Hi, I recently bought a K20d and 18-250mm lens. It's my foray into DSLRs. I've read through the manual, made what I thought were proper adjustments and started taking some pictures. For starters, I used Autofocus when shooting my 6 year old son in action doing day to day activities. Most of the pictures I'm taking turn out blurry, even though I have shake reduction on, and I'm careful when pressing shutter button. This especially true on the pictures I zoom in on. What am I missing here? Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

01-29-2009, 09:06 PM	#8
Peteey Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 3 Original Poster	Thank you!!! Greetings, I will do the things suggested, thanks. Mark S, I think you are right when you say "An SR doesn't work miracles - you can't expect shake-free pictures at 1/20" when zoomed to 250mm. " Thanks again for your input... What a great resource! Peteey

01-29-2009, 09:22 PM	#9
sluggo913 Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Upton, Ma. Photos: Gallery Posts: 108	Practice and paticence Capturing quick moving kids is not easy and if you are not use to shooting a moving target it is harder, it can be done higher shutter speed as suggested, pan (move the camera with your childs motion) this takes practice. My 9 year old plays hockey and 12 year old plays basketball I take pictures of them all the time, you will get it.

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01-24-2009, 12:57 AM	#2
mickeyobe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,759	Show us some pictures. Mickey

01-24-2009, 01:05 AM	#3
southy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 178	keep in mind subjects will still undergo motion blur as well, so it really depends on shooting conditions here. Shutter speed > shake reduction

01-24-2009, 01:08 AM	#4
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Shake reduction does not reduce the shake of the subject. The previous poster suggested looking at shutter speed. Increase it until you're satisfied with the result. You may have to use a flash.

01-24-2009, 05:52 AM	#5
ozzi-paul Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: N/E Victoria, Australia, on the mighty Murray River. Photos: Albums Posts: 141	It may help if you set your AF point to centre to make sure it is focusing in the centre of the frame if thats where your subject is.

01-24-2009, 12:09 PM	#6
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Pictures would help. But we could also tell a lot just knowing the focal length and exposure settings. If shutter speed wasn't fast enough to stop the subject motion, that's your problem right there. And SR doesn't work miracles - you can't expect shake-free pictures at 1/20" when zoomed to 250mm.

01-24-2009, 04:27 PM	#7
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	Try using it in shutter-priority mode (Tv) and set the shutter to 1/125 or faster. Since you're shooting your child, who's in perpetual motion, make sure you set the focus switch on the front of the camera to AF.C, which is continuous autofocus and will help you get a better focused picture. HTH, Heather

01-29-2009, 10:11 PM	#10
Luciferase Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 86	Sharp picture need (just to name a few): 1. more than enough light 2. fast shutter 3. steady subject 4. monopod/ tripod 5. high ISO 6. big lens 7. shake stabliser 8. steady hands 9. good skills 10. good timing 11. all of the above