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Photo Forum / Digital Photography / Digital Photo / December 2003Low light action shots
Is there a method to capture low light action shots when the auto focus (Canon A60) is either too slow or requires several attempts to get a lock? Manual focus takes too long to set up and most pics are within 10ft. > Is there a method to capture low light action shots when the auto focus > (Canon A60) is either too slow or requires several attempts to get a lock? > Manual focus takes too long to set up and most pics are within 10ft. Some cameras have low light focus assist. Methods include a small lamp, an IR laser diode, and continuously firing the flash at low power. If your camera doesn't have low light assist then the only option is to add more light. Not easy as you are limited by what the camera will do, some are better than others, I don't know about yours. After a number of years of doing weddings, dance competitions and sports before the days of auto-focus, I can say you can learn to pre-focus. Decide ahead of time what the distance will be. Set that distance and place yourself so the action will be that far away. Don't attempt to re-focus the camera. When needed, you move to keep the distance to the previously set distance. It sounds difficult and awkward, but after some practice, it becomes second nature and works well. I often use it today even with a fast operating auto focus as it works better.  SignatureJoseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math > Is there a method to capture low light action shots when the auto focus > (Canon A60) is either too slow or requires several attempts to get a lock? > Manual focus takes too long to set up and most pics are within 10ft. > After a number of years of doing weddings, dance competitions and sports >before the days of auto-focus, I can say you can learn to pre-focus. Decide [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >second nature and works well. I often use it today even with a fast >operating auto focus as it works better. Pre-focus is a great solution, if...I used it for many years, shooting off-road and other motorcycling events. But AFAIK, it is dead worthless on a camera with auto focus that won't turn off. The camera will continue to hunt, regardless. The OP needs a camera that offers a decent manual focus. Another point: unless you're working with DSLRs, there will be no distance markings on the lens barrel to even give an approximation of the correct spot, so it becomes essential to be able to focus on some unmoving object much of the time. Then hold position and object in focus and all should be well. Charlie Self "Man is a reasoning rather than a reasonable animal." Alexander Hamilton http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html > Is there a method to capture low light action shots when the auto focus > (Canon A60) is either too slow or requires several attempts to get a lock? > Manual focus takes too long to set up and most pics are within 10ft. Sure. Put your camera into aperature priority and use F8 as the setting. Manually set focus to 3 feet or so, and then simply fire away using the flash. The huge depth of field at that f stop will mean all your pictures will be in focus, and since the action is close your flash should be strong enough to light it up. >Is there a method to capture low light action shots when the auto focus >(Canon A60) is either too slow or requires several attempts to get a lock? >Manual focus takes too long to set up and most pics are within 10ft. Learn to live without all the auto crap, it's mainly intended for grandmothers who need a camera that will "always get the job done." For action sports shots I'm fond of an old Nikkor 200mm f/2 that is used wide open and with the D100 etc. it's like a 300. Some of these big Nikkors have preset focus adjustments (detents) that were used to set focus on specific targets (like first base, etc.) and you can do the same thing by learning to calibrate your wrist--hell, if a trombone player can do it, so can you. > >Is there a method to capture low light action shots when the auto focus > >(Canon A60) is either too slow or requires several attempts to get a lock? [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > the same thing by learning to calibrate your wrist--hell, if a > trombone player can do it, so can you. And how does one use manual focus with large apertures for action shots within 10 feet? The Canon A60 doesn't have a focusing ring the size of a steering wheel. It uses electronic up/down buttons for manual adjustment. >within 10 feet? The Canon A60 doesn't have a focusing ring the size of >a steering wheel. It's the A60, not the d60, right? I've got a C5050 that fires off low light illumination for focusing. Doesn't the A60? >Is there a method to capture low light action shots when the auto focus >(Canon A60) is either too slow or requires several attempts to get a lock? >Manual focus takes too long to set up and most pics are within 10ft. When I'm using my little S30, I set focus on something that is at the right distance, but with more contrast than my real subject. Then I turn around & take my real shot. This works fairly well when there isn't enough light to get a good focus on the subject. SignatureW . | ,. w , "Some people are alive only because \|/ \|/ it is illegal to kill them." Perna condita delenda est ---^----^--------------------------------------------------------------- > Is there a method to capture low light action shots when the auto focus > (Canon A60) is either too slow or requires several attempts to get a lock? > Manual focus takes too long to set up and most pics are within 10ft. If you can anticipate your shots, then focus manually a few seconds before you intend to shoot a picture. For example, if you're shooting a basketball game, then focus on a spot on the court where the players are heading a few seconds before they get to that spot, then shoot. |
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