Focusing technique on sports

[badboy1984]

I want to ask about some focusing technique. I shoot mainly day time sports like running and cycling etc. They not urberly fast action compare to motor cycle or race car etc.

I use Nikon camera system and I usually set my camera to dynamic focus and continues focus (AF-C) to track to subject and snap them with a slow burst when the subject fills the frame nicely. The location the subject goes is very predictable.

Recently I've tried using manual focusing for this type of stuff. Basically I've set the aperture to something like f8 to get more depth of field and prefocus the predict location using manual focus, then snapped the subject away when they in that focus area.

Sharpness wise is pretty much the same as auto focus. For some reason I feel using manual focus is much more easier to shoot.

Anyone use this method to shoot sport?

 

[skysh4rk]

Anyone use this method to shoot sport?

Yes.

 

[KIPAX]

I want to ask about some focusing technique. I shoot mainly day time sports like running and cycling etc. They not urberly fast action compare to motor cycle or race car etc.

I use Nikon camera system and I usually set my camera to dynamic focus and continues focus (AF-C) to track to subject and snap them with a slow burst when the subject fills the frame nicely. The location the subject goes is very predictable.

Recently I've tried using manual focusing for this type of stuff. Basically I've set the aperture to something like f8 to get more depth of field and prefocus the predict location using manual focus, then snapped the subject away when they in that focus area.

Sharpness wise is pretty much the same as auto focus. For some reason I feel using manual focus is much more easier to shoot.

Anyone use this method to shoot sport?

So what happens if the runner or cyclist trips or crashes not in your pre focused area.. your not going to capture that moment.. something from the crowd.. anything can happen and you will miss it because you used manual focus on one spot... also f8 for runners? you must be getting some far away backgrounds then otherwise not good...

I really wouldnt use manual focus for this.. a lot of reasons.. but mostly the chance of missing somehtign interesting.. even a facial expresion just before subject gets into your space... if your trackign and auto focus then your not going to miss anything...

 

[badboy1984]

When I use the 70-200 f2.8 i find it using the focus works like a treat. When I use the 28-70 f2.8 I find it works nicely framing wise when using manual focus.