livi 19s v clyde

[colinl]

Thanks for the comments guys, i was disappointed with the focus issue, camera(d50)was set on auto with with kit nikon 55-200 lens but it seems slow when i need it most! i have had to crop the pics as i have been trying to get the timing better and not waste quite as many i was only getting 20% ish usable, i just need to try and get it all together!, the standing area for this game was just to one side of half way and was not allowed to wander up and down the sideline,hopefully next time i can get better positioning and improve the quality of the shots, and maybe a game without a fence around it

[DRGSin]

I'll also echo the fact that you got the most difficult part...timing...down, the rest is a piece of cake! LOL Were you hand holding or using a monopod? Soccer is a difficult sport to react to with a camera so def dont get discouraged. Have you tried shooting in Shutter mode for the speed of the game or in Aperature mode for the necessary DOF? Also, the type of metering youre using to AF could affecthow quickly your camera focuses. I'll let others chime in on that one, since Im still trying to memorize it.Above all....Practice practice practice. Im the poster child for horrible pics at a new sport...mine was basketball, but with the help of the great people on this site, Ive come along way!

[colinl]

Hi DRGSin i was shooting in aperture mode and camera was handheld, AF mode was AF-A if that helps? but hey i am having great fun trying and as you say practice makes perfect! (much to the annoyance of the wife)lol, so role on next week and will try again, with all the help on the forum i might get it right one day LOL

[Mark1616]

colinl wrote:

Hi DRGSin i was shooting in aperture mode and camera was handheld, AF mode was AF-A if that helps? but hey i am having great fun trying and as you say practice makes perfect! (much to the annoyance of the wife)lol, so role on next week and will try again, with all the help on the forum i might get it right one day LOL

Colin I would go for aperture priority (manual is best but don't worry about that for now). Set the aperture as wide as possible (low f number) to reduce the depth of field and get the fastest possible shutter speed. Always to get over 1/800th of a second (play with ISO if you are not getting this) as that will help to freeze the action. With the mono pod, unless you have very shaky hands there is no need when you are getting the shutter speed above unless you are using a heavy long lens. I only use one when using my 120-300mm f2.8 lens which is not light but with the 55-200 or any of the standard 70-300mm lenses you will not want one.

For AF mode you want to be on AF-C not AF-A as this will mean the camera is always in continuous. Also you will need to track the subject for about a second before the camera is 'locked' on, do this by following the player with shutter half depressed and leave it on centre AF point.

As for the range you are trying to shoot over this is not going to work as the lens is not long enough. You would want a 400-500mm lens to start getting usable results at this range. Wait for the action to be closer so that your subject is almost filling the frame then you will get much better sharpness and a more accurate AF.

That should keep you going for a little while, but keep at it and you will be amazed how fast you get what you are looking for.

Mark

[colinl]

Mark thanks for the advice, cant wait to get back out and try it all out.