Focusing

[vintagesnaps]

Don't be too hard on yourself, I've seen way worse! lol A lot of shooting sports/action is the timing and anticipating the action.

Maybe start out picking one thing - try the jump in the first photo as an example. The blue post to the left looks sharp, so I think your focus was off. I usually focus on a post or pole closer to me not the one that's more in the background. Get set - frame the shot and focus on the pole where the dog will be jumping - wait for the dog to come 'to you', into your viewfinder, then release the shutter. Stay there and keep shooting as each dog jumps til you start getting the hang of it. Keep practicing. Then go to another jump or another area and set up and try there for awhile. It's going to take time and practice.

Usually for sports you need a midrange or smaller aperture depending on how large the field of play is (to get for example a number of players in focus). If I want a picture more close up of one player I'll use a somewhat larger aperture.

Even the one of the dog looks like the curb in the foreground is more in focus than the truck/trailer behind it. Maybe try some test shots - take a photo of something like that one using another object for the dog (unless the dog would stand there for awhile! lol) - sit some object there between the curb and the trailer and shoot it at f4, f5.6 f8, f11 etc. and notice the difference. So maybe you can start to figure out what aperture with that length lens works for what distance in an area of space (in this case the curb to what's parked in the driveway).

I'm not familiar with your specific lenses. A 50mm is usually too short for most sports. If you're using a long telephoto it might need more support to prevent movement blur. I use prime lenses not zooms, but either way you need a nice sharp lens for sports (used can be a good option if you need to upgrade). I shoot hockey and focus manually because I know how to do it. You'll need a lot of practice and then you might start to figure out what it is you can or can't do with what you have and what you might need to learn or practice or what other lens might be better.

Practice, practice, practice. Athletes practice for a reason, I suppose the dogs 'practice' jumps or go thru training before they do one of these events. You need to practice too to get good at it. And you're not doing that bad, just learn how to nail the focus and make sure the camera is still enough, however it works for you to brace yourself and the lens (the way you stand and hold a camera I think can make a difference). If you enjoy it enough to keep at it you can probably get better at it.

 

[astroNikon]

I don't know Canon,
but maybe your focus mode is on an Auto setting even though you may think you are picking the middle focus point ? (Manual Focus point middle point) ==> How to Switch from Automatic Point Selection to Single-Point Selection on the Rebel t5i - For Dummies

Also, maybe practice on something that isn't moving first. To confirm focus.
Then move on something larger that is moving - like a car going down the street.
Then move to smaller moving object.

 

[smoke665]

Yes, I see that none of my photos are very sharp. I don't know what's wrong... I have a 70-200 f/4 and a 50mm f/1.8
All images above are shot with 70-200. I can upload some photos taken with 50mm tomorrow...

Also, my 70-200 is non IS version, maybe that's the problem? I tend to use high shutter speed so there is less hand shake... I really don't know whats wrong :/

No doubt image stabilization would help. Curious is this a lens you've had for awhile and have you previously gotten sharp images from it? Reason I ask is I bought a lens recently that I could not focus on either manual or automatic. It was defective from the factory. First one in a very long time. If you have a tripod try a test shot on it to eliminate any shake. Shoot both an auto focus and a manual focus. If it's still not sharp switch lines a try another set.

 

[robbins.photo]

Yes, I see that none of my photos are very sharp. I don't know what's wrong... I have a 70-200 f/4 and a 50mm f/1.8
All images above are shot with 70-200. I can upload some photos taken with 50mm tomorrow...

Also, my 70-200 is non IS version, maybe that's the problem? I tend to use high shutter speed so there is less hand shake... I really don't know whats wrong :/

Ok, so on your 70-200 as long as your shooting above 1/200 shutter speed that should do fine in eliminating camera shake. The most likely problem her is that the camera is choosing an autofocus point that your not intending for it to choose. As a result the point of clearest focus is not the dogs face. Unless you tell it otherwise the camera will choose based on contrast, so that's most likely the culprit in this case.

For pets/people when possible it's good to put your focus point on the eyes - that's what your viewers eyes will be drawn to first so if those are sharp, the photo tends to look much sharper.

Astro already linked an article that will show you how to reduce the number of focus points, I suggest you reduce it to one and when you shoot put that on the eye or as close to it as you can get. If you want to leave it in the center you can, you can always shoot a little wider than what you need and recompose in post by cropping.

Quick Addendum - remember that moving subjects like little dogs can also introduce motion blur, so higher shutter speeds will help eliminate that as well. Assuming you have enough light maybe start at 1/400

 

[Kibii]

vintagesnaps
So, basically I need to focus on a pole and wait for a dog to jump? But dog will not be in focus then? So I need to use for example f/7 instead of f/4?

Don't be too hard on yourself, I've seen way worse! lol A lot of shooting sports/action is the timing and anticipating the action.

Maybe start out picking one thing - try the jump in the first photo as an example. The blue post to the left looks sharp, so I think your focus was off. I usually focus on a post or pole closer to me not the one that's more in the background. Get set - frame the shot and focus on the pole where the dog will be jumping - wait for the dog to come 'to you', into your viewfinder, then release the shutter. Stay there and keep shooting as each dog jumps til you start getting the hang of it. Keep practicing. Then go to another jump or another area and set up and try there for awhile. It's going to take time and practice.

Usually for sports you need a midrange or smaller aperture depending on how large the field of play is (to get for example a number of players in focus). If I want a picture more close up of one player I'll use a somewhat larger aperture.

Even the one of the dog looks like the curb in the foreground is more in focus than the truck/trailer behind it. Maybe try some test shots - take a photo of something like that one using another object for the dog (unless the dog would stand there for awhile! lol) - sit some object there between the curb and the trailer and shoot it at f4, f5.6 f8, f11 etc. and notice the difference. So maybe you can start to figure out what aperture with that length lens works for what distance in an area of space (in this case the curb to what's parked in the driveway).

I'm not familiar with your specific lenses. A 50mm is usually too short for most sports. If you're using a long telephoto it might need more support to prevent movement blur. I use prime lenses not zooms, but either way you need a nice sharp lens for sports (used can be a good option if you need to upgrade). I shoot hockey and focus manually because I know how to do it. You'll need a lot of practice and then you might start to figure out what it is you can or can't do with what you have and what you might need to learn or practice or what other lens might be better.

Practice, practice, practice. Athletes practice for a reason, I suppose the dogs 'practice' jumps or go thru training before they do one of these events. You need to practice too to get good at it. And you're not doing that bad, just learn how to nail the focus and make sure the camera is still enough, however it works for you to brace yourself and the lens (the way you stand and hold a camera I think can make a difference). If you enjoy it enough to keep at it you can probably get better at it.

Thanks for long answer! So, I shoul focus manually on a pole and wait for a dog to jump? That means i need to use f/7 or something like that? But, focus will not be on a dog (or)?

 

[Kibii]

Yes, I see that none of my photos are very sharp. I don't know what's wrong... I have a 70-200 f/4 and a 50mm f/1.8
All images above are shot with 70-200. I can upload some photos taken with 50mm tomorrow...

Also, my 70-200 is non IS version, maybe that's the problem? I tend to use high shutter speed so there is less hand shake... I really don't know whats wrong :/

No doubt image stabilization would help. Curious is this a lens you've had for awhile and have you previously gotten sharp images from it? Reason I ask is I bought a lens recently that I could not focus on either manual or automatic. It was defective from the factory. First one in a very long time. If you have a tripod try a test shot on it to eliminate any shake. Shoot both an auto focus and a manual focus. If it's still not sharp switch lines a try another set.

I had this lens for a few months only, and I always got photos like that. Sometimes photos would be awesome and sharp and sometimes (more often) blurry and not properly focused...

 

[Kibii]

Yes, I see that none of my photos are very sharp. I don't know what's wrong... I have a 70-200 f/4 and a 50mm f/1.8
All images above are shot with 70-200. I can upload some photos taken with 50mm tomorrow...

Also, my 70-200 is non IS version, maybe that's the problem? I tend to use high shutter speed so there is less hand shake... I really don't know whats wrong :/

Ok, so on your 70-200 as long as your shooting above 1/200 shutter speed that should do fine in eliminating camera shake. The most likely problem her is that the camera is choosing an autofocus point that your not intending for it to choose. As a result the point of clearest focus is not the dogs face. Unless you tell it otherwise the camera will choose based on contrast, so that's most likely the culprit in this case.

For pets/people when possible it's good to put your focus point on the eyes - that's what your viewers eyes will be drawn to first so if those are sharp, the photo tends to look much sharper.

Astro already linked an article that will show you how to reduce the number of focus points, I suggest you reduce it to one and when you shoot put that on the eye or as close to it as you can get. If you want to leave it in the center you can, you can always shoot a little wider than what you need and recompose in post by cropping.

Quick Addendum - remember that moving subjects like little dogs can also introduce motion blur, so higher shutter speeds will help eliminate that as well. Assuming you have enough light maybe start at 1/400

I already reduced number of focus point, to one, one in the middle. I always put that dot on a dogs face and wait for it to become red and then shoot. But often focus is terrible and photo is blurry. I use high shutter speed to avoid hand shake but it's still the same :/

 

[robbins.photo]

I already reduced number of focus point, to one, one in the middle. I always put that dot on a dogs face and wait for it to become red and then shoot. But often focus is terrible and photo is blurry. I use high shutter speed to avoid hand shake but it's still the same :/

Does the camera seem to have a difficult time focusing this way? Does it seem like there is a significant delay when trying to acquire focus?

 

[astroNikon]

I had this lens for a few months only, and I always got photos like that. Sometimes photos would be awesome and sharp and sometimes (more often) blurry and not properly focused...

Do you have another lens?
Does another lens have the same symptoms of mostly out of focus shots ?

 

[Kibii]

robbins.photo
not at all... it focuses very quickly..

astroNIKON
yes I have 50mm lens. Yes, not always, but sometimes I get out of focus shots, and sometimes I get a prefect shot.. When I do get out of focus shots it's same as with my 70-200 lens..

 

[robbins.photo]

robbins.photo
not at all... it focuses very quickly..

astroNIKON
yes I have 50mm lens. Yes, not always, but sometimes I get out of focus shots, and sometimes I get a prefect shot.. When I do get out of focus shots it's same as with my 70-200 lens..

Interesting. Do you have a tripod by chance?

 

[Kibii]

robbins.photo
not at all... it focuses very quickly..

astroNIKON
yes I have 50mm lens. Yes, not always, but sometimes I get out of focus shots, and sometimes I get a prefect shot.. When I do get out of focus shots it's same as with my 70-200 lens..

Interesting. Do you have a tripod by chance?

Yes

 

[robbins.photo]

robbins.photo
not at all... it focuses very quickly..

astroNIKON
yes I have 50mm lens. Yes, not always, but sometimes I get out of focus shots, and sometimes I get a prefect shot.. When I do get out of focus shots it's same as with my 70-200 lens..

Interesting. Do you have a tripod by chance?

Yes

Ok, so first thing I would do would be to setup your tripod, mount the 70-200mm, and shoot a test. Don't use the dog, use something like a street sign. Something relatively flat with letters/numbers. Shoot a few dozen shots with the one lens. Then switch lenses and do the same.

By using the tripod you eliminate the camera shake variable - check your results. Are any of your pictures out of focus with one or both lenses? If your getting out of focus pictures on just one lens that might indicate a lens problem. If your getting out of focus shots with both lenses - well that would probably indicate that there might be a problem with your cameras AF system.

If all of the shots are nice and sharp, repeat the same test handheld for both lenses. If your getting out of focus shots without the tripod but not with, then most likely the issue is one of technique rather than something wrong with the camera or lenses.

 

[Kibii]

robbins.photo
not at all... it focuses very quickly..

astroNIKON
yes I have 50mm lens. Yes, not always, but sometimes I get out of focus shots, and sometimes I get a prefect shot.. When I do get out of focus shots it's same as with my 70-200 lens..

Interesting. Do you have a tripod by chance?

Yes

Ok, so first thing I would do would be to setup your tripod, mount the 70-200mm, and shoot a test. Don't use the dog, use something like a street sign. Something relatively flat with letters/numbers. Shoot a few dozen shots with the one lens. Then switch lenses and do the same.

By using the tripod you eliminate the camera shake variable - check your results. Are any of your pictures out of focus with one or both lenses? If your getting out of focus pictures on just one lens that might indicate a lens problem. If your getting out of focus shots with both lenses - well that would probably indicate that there might be a problem with your cameras AF system.

If all of the shots are nice and sharp, repeat the same test handheld for both lenses. If your getting out of focus shots without the tripod but not with, then most likely the issue is one of technique rather than something wrong with the camera or lenses.

Okay, I'm trying that tomorrow... Thanks!

 

[robbins.photo]

Okay, I'm trying that tomorrow... Thanks!

No worries. Be sure to examine the images without cropping them, and see if they look sharp. If you zoom in enough on any image, it's not going to look that great. If you use photoshop load the image into it, and set the view to "actual image size" - that will show you the image at it's actual size, if it looks good at that point then it's probably not your camera or lenses.