Alin Flaider wrote:
>
> Besides technique, I strongly suspect Mike's problem is multiple
>moving subjects - the acknowledged ZX autofocus weakness. He should
>try to isolate a single runner - AF will do much better then. I've
>been shooting single skiers this winter with ZX-5N and FA 80-320, and
>all pictures were perfectly focused despite the tight framing.
>
> Servus, Alin
>
Well, I had this problem with single runners (and wheelchair athletes) as
well. Getting the first focus on the runner at about 30' away was never a
problem, the camera would focus and fire. However, as they came closer the
camera would often end up 'hunting' for focus, and I could hear the lens
stuttering as the runner approached and eventually passed, without ever
firing off the next shot. Sometimes releasing the shutter button completely
and pressing again would cause the camera to get a focus lock and fire. Most
times this wouldn't work. By the time the runner had passed and was about
20' away, their relative motion to the camera had diminished enough that it
could then get the focus and shoot again.
It seems like the predictive autofocus just wasn't fast enough at close
quarters. I could get the runners as they were approaching, but not as I
started to pan with them as they went by.
I tried using the lens in manual focus mode, but I couldn't switch between
the zoom and focus rings fast enough to be effective. The focus ring on the
F 80-200 is, like on most AF lenses, quite narrow and there's no ridges or
bumps to let your fingers know when they've got it.
Mike Nosal
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-
This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe,
go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to
visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
