Capturing fast moving subjects - help please

[nat]

Can somone help me?

I live near the race course in Gawler. As I drove past today, I noticed that it was race day. For the first time in ages we had decent weather and I had my D70s with me so I stopped. Having never photographed anything that moves quickly, I had no idea how to go about setting the camera up to get the best results, and given that I arrived only moments before the second to last race for the day, I had only 2 chances. I was reasonably happy with my efforts until I uploaded them the computer. I then realised that they were not particularly stunning.
The set up I used was: D70s with 18-70mm lens, Shutter priority - 1/500th, Autofocus mode - AF-S, ISO 200. For the second race I tried the mighty 70-300mm G but found its focus to be way too slow.

Of the few that I took, I feel happiest about this image but it has been cropped quite heavily, but otherwise the only PP was to tweak the levels a bit.
This one has not been cropped quite as much.

Should I set a faster shutter speed? Would AF-C be more appropriate? Is there something else I haven't even thought about?

I plan to try have another crack at this type of subject next time, but again, with a short race program there's not much chance for trial and error, so I would be grateful for any clues or hints that may be offered.

Nat

[Yi-P]

Cant see the images.


You can try using manual settings if lighting conditions are stable. Either way, at 1/500th for the 18-70 can be bit fast on lower light conditions.

At 1/250 or 1/125 you can pan the shots to get a much greater speed feel.

Using AF-C can help you on keeping unparallelled movements (moving closer/further from you). With the 70-300 you can try focus first when they are coming your way and keep the shutter halfpressed with AF-C dynamic areas. And then just pan along with the subject keeping it steady in the viewfinder and snap away.

When you need more speed, you always have your ISO at your disposal. Dont be afraid to go even ISO800, noise will hurt much less than a blurry shot!

[Marvin]

Hi Nat,
It might just be me but I can't see your images - I get a pixspot message. As to your pictures - I am certainly no expert so I will let others answer but maybe bumping up your iso a bit to get a faster shutter speed, setting on shutter priority and trying af-c like you suggested might help.
Cheers,
Lee

[Jonesy]

Hi Nat,

I take a lot of Karting shots and 90% of the time have camera set on Shutter,
somewhere between 1/250 and 1/400 for Panning shots and 1/500 for something thats a bit more head on.

Aloso I shoot in AF-c and using my trust 70-200 sigma lens. Then your panning tehnique comes into play as well. but thats about it for me. keep trying though

Oh and I coulnt see your pics... probably my computer thouhg1

Cheers

[nat]

Thanks guys.
I have been trying to avoid panning at this stage of my photogrophy. I figure that if I can't get a sharp image holding the camera still, then I have no chance if panning at the same time. For the second race I did bump the ISO up with the 70-300, but didn't try manual focus or AF-C. (Perhaps I should sit on the street corner and practice on passing cars!)

I have re-linked the pics (photobucket this time). Am not sure why pixspot didn't work as I could see them even when not logged in as me.

[shaunus]

nat,

the only thing i would have used you didnt is the AF-C, i know the 70-300 is a pig to focus, but if you pick the subject up early enough it seems to keep up, the problem with horse racing is you really only get one chance.

if you want to try some more moving shots you could always head out to mallala (truck racing this weekend) or even try and do some BLG footy or netball shots.

[MCWB]

I have been trying to avoid panning at this stage of my photogrophy.

You're right, panning with a low shutter-speed is just going to be flat out difficult for horses because you're not going to be able to freeze the legs. You could get around this by cropping closely to elminate the legs, but you still have the problem of jockeys moving vertically. You're going to have to be really good or lucky to pan with horses. Keep the shutter-speed high, pre-focus on something at a similar distance if you can, maybe use trap-focussing if your lens can't AF fast enough.

[rmp]

Also use burst mode.

I'm going to post a tutorial on panning shots as I do a lot of that when photograph vehicles.

[nat]

Thanks for the tips.
Next time I'll try AF-C and wind the stutter speed up a bit more. I've never used burst mode before so I'll give that a shot too.

Hopefully I'll get some photos worth sharing.

rmp - I'll look forward to checking out your tutorial.

Thanks again everyone.

Nat

[rmp]

http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php?p=231749#231749

[Dug]

Stuff the shutter speed crank the ISO up a bit to about 400 ish.

then set your aperture priority to the widest aperture available to you.

this will give you the fastest shutter speed for the conditions AFC and pan with the movement or prefocus on a spot and wait.

Take lots of shots and hope that one looks great don't worry about what does not come out concentrate on what looks good.