lost with 24mm 1.4L

[Snapped]

It looks like you're shutter speed is to long to me.

I agree. I would shoot on shutter setting and let the camera choose the aperture. Set the ISO at at like 1600 or something. As far the issue with the focus on your camera. I'm not too sure. But, I'll tell you what's already been mentioned above, f/1.4 is way too wide for these kinds of shots. You're not shooting portrait, so you might wanna get all the possible DOF. Just my 2 cents

 

[GeneralBenson]

I hate to ask, but do you understand the relationship between aperture and depth of field? It sounds to me like you are shooting at 1/4 and are suprised that not much is in focus. As someone else already asked, are you controlling the point that the camera is focusing on, or are you letting the camera decide?

It looks like that is one heck of a cave that you are in; so quite possiblly your camera is having trouble focusing on a moving subject, especially with so little DOF, or even at f/1.4, your shutter speeds are too slow. What ISO were you at?

 

[supraman215]

The examples you posted show that your camera is focusing properly. Just not on the subject . I don't see a major DOF issue in these photos, you're far enough away from the subject that I don't think DOF is a major issue here. I would stick with a manual focus point, and C focus mode (continuous) meaning it will keep focusing till the shutter is tripped. Follow your subject with the camera, don't hold it at one point waiting for the subject to enter the frame. Unless of course you do what Pete said and go all manual focus. When the flash is going don't worry too much about shutter speed the flash will freeze the action. If the flash isn't going you may want to be up at 1/500 or above to freeze your subject.

I think once you get this focus issue you need to really focus (no pun intended) on your composition. Start trying to plan shots as suggested as an option by Pete. Not just stand around and take pics of your friends skateboarding, that's pretty dull. Look at some skate mags, check out some cool indoor pics and try to replicate them (within your friends skill levels of course.)

Also take a look at general benson's site he's a great pro sports photog.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

I was shooting yesterday in the streets with my 24 f/1.4 and D700. I would quickly (and loudly) say to people walking past me "CAN I TAKE YOUR PICTURE PLEASE *click* THANK YOU!!" I tried using the 24 at 1.4, but all the pictures were out of focus simply because when you're working in such close spaces, DOF is so thin that the lens can't keep up. It's the name of the game. I had to stop all the way down to f/4 to be able to have enough wiggle room where they at least were sharp enough.

 

[cfusionpm]

I would use all focus pt.. thats just me.

I tried using all focus points while shooting bmx and it was a disaster ( using a 50 f1.4). I would use the single center dot and al servo.

If you're only going to use the center point, just MAKE SURE that what you want in focus is ON that dot. It's very easy to miss focus if the action moves off center or is on the outside of the frame. In the eyes of the camera, it thinks the background is what you want to focus on, since that's whats under the center point. It happens to anyone from time to time. And there's really no way around it unless you have rifle-accuracy aiming that center point.

What's nice in cameras like the 7D is that it has expanded and zone focus modes; either extending a single point in each direction like a + or making a movable box of points, but I still use center or center + expanded for most of my action shooting.

 

[shaunly]

They seems to be moving pretty fast. I don't think that lens is made for AF speed and your body is definitely not made for sport fast AF either. I'm not saying it's not possible but it will be a little more difficult. You will have to manual focus for sure. If you get good at prefocusing, you should be able to shoot even at f/1.4. Best bet is to prefocus at the point then wait till the object gets there and fire off. probably wanna try at f/4 first then once you get the hang of it, open it wider.