Canon 20D and autofocus

PP

10

28 May 2007 - 12:14 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Does anyone use the Canon 20D for photography involving fast moving subjects, eg, airplanes, racing cars etc. If so, what are your views on the 'Servo' autofocus capabilities? I'm relatively new to 'action' photography, but based on some recent experiences, my impression is that the 20D autofocus is too slow for fast moving subjects, and that manual focus is a better option.

justin c

8

28 May 2007 - 12:29 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

A lot will depend on the lens being used. With the big,fast primes (300mm f2.8,400mm f2.8,500mm f4,600mm f4,etc) being the ultimate (and very expensive) action lenses.
However you should still be able to get very good results without having to resort to the most expensive glass.

Manually pre-focusing on a spot is certainly one option that is a tried and tested technique,however if your intention is to follow the action (as opposed to focusing on a particular spot) then AF on a 20D will out perform manual focus everytime.

I use the 20D and Canon 100-400mm L I.S. (which wouldn't be the fastest focusing combination in the world) for birds in flight,aeroplanes,rallying,equestrian sports,etc. and it can certainly work pretty well in most situations.

Justin.

PP

10

28 May 2007 - 12:34 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

sidaorb / Justin - do you use 'standard' autofocus or 'servo' mode for your action photography?

banburymike

8

28 May 2007 - 1:58 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

I use the 10d, 20d, and 30d for sports and never had a problem with the autofocus, works ok for me
No problem with bird flight shots, also did the F1 testing at Silverstone last year, again no problem

justin c

8

28 May 2007 - 4:21 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

If you use the excellent Breezebrowser programme it will show you the superimposed focus points on the image.This can be very useful in determining whether your focus was dead on the subject or slightly off (very easily done)

Justin.

whipspeed (e2 Member)

7

28 May 2007 - 7:56 PM

• Options
  • Report Error / Abuse

0

Always have it turned off for fast moving subjects. Also someone told me once to set the focus point to where the head will be (for cycling & motorbikes) and that works well for me. My 20D focusses very quickly with the 70-200 f4.