EOS 400d

equinephoto's

equinephoto's

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Name
Francesca Morrison
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I have an eos 400d and have been using it for about two years now - along with my 55-200mm tamron lens, i do mostly horses and have never had problems with it. On Saturday and Sun I went to the highland show, it was really busy so was hard to find a good spot.

But i had abit of a hard time focusing with my kit, I've never had problems with focussing before, but some of my images look like camera shake even when I've had them on 1/500. AI FOCUS ( always shoot on ai focus) used AI servo a couple of times and it didn't help when I changed it.

I had partial metering and changed it to a few others just to see? I'm not the best with the whole technical side of things. Sometimes it was hard to focus on the horse its self.

I am getting the sigma 70-300 APO macro so was wondering if that was a better lens?

Is the tamrom 55-200mm good for sports?
 
Camera shake is possible at 1/500 at 200mm but missing focus is more probable. Try using one shot focus and a single focus point.

The sigma 70-300 APO macro is a non-image stabilised lens and the risk of camera shake will be even greater than the 200mm.

I think it should generally be used on a monopod or tripod at the upper end and if hand held very steadily at least 1/300 and ideally 1/500 shutter speed.
I think an IS lens might be a better bet.

Shutter speed should ideally be 1.5X focal length when hand held.
 
It may have been the situation that was causing the AF to struggle too, if you're shooting a dark coloured horse and the AF can't find an 'edge' or some contrast to focus against, it'll hunt, struggle to lock on and potentially get it wrong.
 
Good point Shine On, the AF really does need just that. I also agree with the 55-250 lens. It's very plasticky including the mount but a cracking performer for the money.
 
could you post example pics for both good focus and bad focus ?

buying a new lens can be an expensive (and ineffective) fix if it is a technique problem
 
I will post some samples - I am getting a new lens 70-300 APO macro (sigma)
 
bad focus

36911_416709325688_682690688_4998052_6267406_n.jpg


Ok focus i would say?

36343_417165105688_682690688_5012542_1644327_n.jpg
 
What aperture were you shooting (can't see the exif)?

It looks to me in the 1st image the horses head is in focus, the rider isn't. Which could be a depth of field effect.

Guessing but #1 the subject is closer, so at a similar focal length you will have less DOF?
 
First image I shot was : f.4.5 1/1250 iso:400

Second image was: f4.5 1/800 iso:400
 
I'm inclined to agree with Freester on this one.

Setting up with a single focus point would help you to get more consistent results as you'd know exactly where it'd be locking on. Do you have AI Servo mode on the 400D? as this would lock on as you pan and maintain focus - good for results but can reduce battery life.
 
I agree with Freester and madhouse

"problem" on the first shot is its focussed on the horse's head and the rider has dropped out of the shallower DOF created because of the big aperture and closer distance from camera. Its got the focus on the horse's head, if there is any spare photo area to the right I'd crop it further over so horse's head is more towards the third line and is the main subject.

Have you checked which focus point was used in DPP or zoombrowser ?


I've never understood the "AI Focus" mode on my 400D, it appears to have a life of its own, I prefer to stick with "AI Servo" for anything that is moving, and select an individual focus point.
 
also thinking the first shot looks a bit washed out - did you have a hood on the lens?, is there a UV filter that may be causing trouble?
 
just had a play and that first picture is looking a lot better with a bit more saturation and contrast, just a little sharpening and then cropping towards the horse's head

I suspect the bright background and the slightly washed out colours may be making it feel worse. As soon as the contrast and saturation are leant on the photo looks a lot better. There's a few edges of the horse and rider where the bright background light is wrapping around slightly so they could also be emphasising a feel of softness.

Were the other "bad" ones also against bright backgrounds?
 
Can you pm me Wookie what you did?

Yes it was so so busy ( the backgrounds ) and had like tree things on the fences which didn't help me either!
 
pushing it a bit further

36911_416709325688_682690688_499-2.jpg


using contrast 12, saturation 110 and sharpness 30 , in DPP again
 
equinephoto's said:
bad focus

36911_416709325688_682690688_4998052_6267406_n.jpg


Ok focus i would say?

36343_417165105688_682690688_5012542_1644327_n.jpg
Click to expand...

your first shot is in focus...but not where you want it and i think your dof isnt enough...
the second is farther away so benefits from the extra dof at that focal setting..

i think its been suggested but usually in dynamic events its wise to prefocus and then take your chances as you pan into the focussed zone..you have to be ahead of the action with your shutter finger to allow for lag and doppler effect...:)
 
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