I've used this setup with good success, even with the 1.4 extender, tho that does slow up AF noticably. In any case, this does take practice & control. There are a number of possible reasons for the soft shots.
First off, make sure you have IS set to mode 2, which will only correct vertical motion as you pan. Mode 1 will attempt to correct motion in either direction, including your panning motion, and disrupt the image. You would generally notice this disruption in the viewfinder before you shoot. You also want to see what shutter speed you're shooting at. You want to be shooting wide open, or at most one stop down, to get maximum shutter speed and reduce the possibility of subject motion blurring or softening the image (unless that's what you're after). 1/1000 of a second or better should freeze most if not all motion. Your viewfinder image may look like you're in focus when you shoot, but a shutter speed that is too slow for the subject motion will blur the image anyhow. The other thing you want to do when possible is to visually confirm focus just before you take the shot. With aiservo, unless you're doing a good job of staying on the bird, it is possible to lose focus in an instant. Try to avoid 'grab' shots when you can. I try to give myself as much time as possible between the time I press the shutter 1/2 way, and finally take the shot. This gives AF plenty of time to get a good lock to begin with, allows me more time to frame the image, and gives me a chance to confirm focus just before I shoot. I try to watch the bird's eye if I can. If that's sharp, you can end up with a good shot even if some other part of the shot is soft. On the other hand, if the eye is soft, the whole shot may be perceived as out of focus. Staying on a bird for a long time handheld is difficult, so it's worth practicing. Try to achieve focus when the bird is as far away as possible, and stay with it until it's right where you want it. Paul Wasserman > -----Original Message----- > Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2002 18:48:19 -0400 > From: "Harvey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: EOS 3 and 100-400 question > > Hi all, > > Just came back from trying to use my eos 3 and 100-400 as > flight lens for > Bird photography. I'm not sure what happened and it probably > was me, but > has anyone had any experience in this combo for bird > photography in flight? > Most of my results were not in focus some very bad. I'm not > sure if it was > just the fact that the lens was slow to acquire the focus > before I pressed > the shutter or what. The birds were in flight and moving is was using > aiservo in appature prioity in sunlight. I was however able > to capture some > shots but most were soft or out of focus. > > Any advise on your experience would be appreciated. > > thanks, > Harvey * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
