At Football game NOW. Need help Fast !

Isnwm · 10-05-2012, 05:14 PM

Which way to the left or right do I need to adjust my autofocus to fix back focusing !? I've got 11 points on, continuous focus, and over half of my pics are back focused. I tried 5 points and it does the same thing. I know how to fine tune my AF settings, but do I go left or right w/ it to fix back focusing ? Need help ASAP

Eulogy · 10-05-2012, 05:34 PM

Right, I'm pretty sure.

DSims · 10-05-2012, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by Eulogy

Right, I'm pretty sure.

Correct. '+' will help fix back-focusing; '-' helps fix front-focusing.

But if you're not using the selectable or center AF point and tracking the subject with it, how do you know this is the problem? It could just be selecting the background automatically, if you let the camera choose.

Perhaps the back-focus isn't by that much, which you can clearly see and I can't. But if the background is in focus it's likely much more than a minor AF adjustment issue. And if this isn't the case, I still think you must select the AF point yourself in order to get effective shots, especially if the aperture is near wide open, which is usually desirable and even necessary for a night game.

flyer · 10-05-2012, 06:00 PM

On AF-C and fast action, you might get out of focus images even with a perfectly tuned lens. There is always some lag between the AF and the action. Before you do anything to the AF, make absolutely sure it is not perfect.

Sandy Hancock · 10-05-2012, 06:17 PM

As others have said, the AF tuning may not be the problem.
Stop your lens down a bit and push the ISO to maintain shutter speed. Consider manual focus and anticipate the action.

Isnwm · 10-05-2012, 08:15 PM

I tried center focus, 5 point & 11 point. I dont doubt that some of my shots were just simply out of focus. But there were a few that I know for a fact were spot on, and the camera still focused on the background. One particular was a center focus shot, I had the red dot smack dab in the middle of the quarterback's chest, and it still back focused.

Isnwm · 10-05-2012, 08:16 PM

I changed lenses, and the problem stopped.

JinDesu · 10-05-2012, 08:54 PM

What lens changed to what lens?

DSims · 10-05-2012, 10:33 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

What lens changed to what lens?

Yes, now you have us wondering!

RonHendriks1966 · 10-06-2012, 05:38 AM

I'm in the curious game too!

**newmikey** · 10-06-2012, 05:58 AM

Probably the 80-320 he bought to replace the 70-200

[EDIT]Not entirely sure I get the point of this thread: AF micro-adjustment in the field? During a shoot?

reeftool · 10-06-2012, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by newmikey

Probably the 80-320 he bought to replace the 70-200

[EDIT]Not entirely sure I get the point of this thread: AF micro-adjustment in the field? During a shoot?

I though the same thing. My answer? F/16 and manual focus.

10-05-2012, 05:14 PM	#1
Isnwm Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 98	At Football game NOW. Need help Fast ! Which way to the left or right do I need to adjust my autofocus to fix back focusing !? I've got 11 points on, continuous focus, and over half of my pics are back focused. I tried 5 points and it does the same thing. I know how to fine tune my AF settings, but do I go left or right w/ it to fix back focusing ? Need help ASAP

10-05-2012, 05:51 PM	#3
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by Eulogy Right, I'm pretty sure. Correct. '+' will help fix back-focusing; '-' helps fix front-focusing. But if you're not using the selectable or center AF point and tracking the subject with it, how do you know this is the problem? It could just be selecting the background automatically, if you let the camera choose. Perhaps the back-focus isn't by that much, which you can clearly see and I can't. But if the background is in focus it's likely much more than a minor AF adjustment issue. And if this isn't the case, I still think you must select the AF point yourself in order to get effective shots, especially if the aperture is near wide open, which is usually desirable and even necessary for a night game. Last edited by DSims; 10-05-2012 at 05:57 PM.

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10-05-2012, 05:34 PM	#2
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	Right, I'm pretty sure.

10-05-2012, 06:00 PM	#4
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	On AF-C and fast action, you might get out of focus images even with a perfectly tuned lens. There is always some lag between the AF and the action. Before you do anything to the AF, make absolutely sure it is not perfect.

10-05-2012, 06:17 PM	#5
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	As others have said, the AF tuning may not be the problem. Stop your lens down a bit and push the ISO to maintain shutter speed. Consider manual focus and anticipate the action.

10-05-2012, 08:15 PM	#6
Isnwm Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 98 Original Poster	I tried center focus, 5 point & 11 point. I dont doubt that some of my shots were just simply out of focus. But there were a few that I know for a fact were spot on, and the camera still focused on the background. One particular was a center focus shot, I had the red dot smack dab in the middle of the quarterback's chest, and it still back focused.

10-05-2012, 08:16 PM	#7
Isnwm Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 98 Original Poster	I changed lenses, and the problem stopped.

10-05-2012, 08:54 PM	#8
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	What lens changed to what lens?

10-05-2012, 10:33 PM	#9
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by JinDesu What lens changed to what lens? Yes, now you have us wondering!

10-06-2012, 05:38 AM	#10
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	I'm in the curious game too!

10-06-2012, 05:58 AM	#11
newmikey Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,289	Probably the 80-320 he bought to replace the 70-200 [EDIT]Not entirely sure I get the point of this thread: AF micro-adjustment in the field? During a shoot?

10-06-2012, 08:58 AM	#12
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	Originally posted by newmikey Probably the 80-320 he bought to replace the 70-200 [EDIT]Not entirely sure I get the point of this thread: AF micro-adjustment in the field? During a shoot? I though the same thing. My answer? F/16 and manual focus.