How To Shoot Sports WITHOUT Autofocus

Joachim Hoge · May 18th, 2010, 03:09 AM

Both EX cameras have as well the "lens Info" button. This gives you a bar that indicates your DoF (or what is in focus), use this to get familiar with how "much" is in focus at different zoom lengths and different apertures. I sometimes leave it on when shooting documentary style stuff to see if I have everyone in shot in focus etc

Richard Kane · May 29th, 2010, 12:06 PM

try 2 border collie chasing frisbees seems impossible

Tim Polster · May 31st, 2010, 09:15 AM

Hope this is still pertinent.

Manual focus is about remembering distances and learning how much is in focus at different zooms, f-stops and chip sizes.

If you are shooting from the stands and you are on a wide shot, pretty much everything will be in focus.

If you are on the sideline and shooting super telephoto of a player's head, your depth of field will be very shallow, not a lot in focus.

In the end, it is a mental exercise. Which is good because it keeps your head in the game so to speak.

Practice a lot. This is what separates a skilled camera operator from the crowd.

Bob Jackson · June 3rd, 2010, 11:05 PM

Here is a sample rough cut edit of the Sebring 2010 race Pt.1 using the EX-1 in full manual.
most of the footage is handheld.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/ex-serie...mp1-coupe.html

Garrett Low · June 4th, 2010, 01:18 AM

Hey Bob,

Sorry but I couldn't really tell how well you were focusing. I was too busy watching the cars! Just kidding. As an old retired club racer I always get fixated on the cars when viewing race footage.

Seriously though, great footage.

Garrett

June 3rd, 2010, 11:05 PM	#19
Bob Jackson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Republic of Vancouver Island Posts: 200	Here is a sample rough cut edit of the Sebring 2010 race Pt.1 using the EX-1 in full manual. most of the footage is handheld. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/ex-serie...mp1-coupe.html __________________ Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. AC Clarke Last edited by Bob Jackson; June 3rd, 2010 at 11:07 PM. Reason: add : most of footage is handheld.

May 18th, 2010, 03:09 AM	#16
Joachim Hoge Major Player Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 402	Both EX cameras have as well the "lens Info" button. This gives you a bar that indicates your DoF (or what is in focus), use this to get familiar with how "much" is in focus at different zoom lengths and different apertures. I sometimes leave it on when shooting documentary style stuff to see if I have everyone in shot in focus etc

May 29th, 2010, 12:06 PM	#17
Richard Kane Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: chicago, il Posts: 65	try 2 border collie chasing frisbees seems impossible

May 31st, 2010, 09:15 AM	#18
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Hope this is still pertinent. Manual focus is about remembering distances and learning how much is in focus at different zooms, f-stops and chip sizes. If you are shooting from the stands and you are on a wide shot, pretty much everything will be in focus. If you are on the sideline and shooting super telephoto of a player's head, your depth of field will be very shallow, not a lot in focus. In the end, it is a mental exercise. Which is good because it keeps your head in the game so to speak. Practice a lot. This is what separates a skilled camera operator from the crowd.

June 4th, 2010, 01:18 AM	#20
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	Hey Bob, Sorry but I couldn't really tell how well you were focusing. I was too busy watching the cars! Just kidding. As an old retired club racer I always get fixated on the cars when viewing race footage. Seriously though, great footage. Garrett