May I present...

[Pejacre]

No offense on that Horse jump but the people and the cars in the background are far more in focus then horse and rider. Should be the other way around.

Exactly, that's an example of missed focus using AF-C. Isn't that what we're talking about? Please don't get the idea I would normally publish a shot like this!

 

[IzzieK]

Cool it -- I think you are on track with the topic on hand with the OP...And I like your example too.

Anyway, Mel -- after all this AFS settings advice settle down and when you have your camera on spot metering, when you immediately see something like two birds as in case, why not just focus on A SINGLE bird and go from there...at least you got one bird in focus...I can just hear my husband's command behind me in an airshow "Follow the leader! Follow the leader! Now! Did you get that?" I love it when I have mentor behind me barking orders...maybe you need one who can be your lookout and actually tell you what to shoot and when? A husband, a kid? someone interested in photography? Just for a start with all these birdies you are trying to get?

I am just telling you this because I got me one for next month for 4 sessions, one each weekend. I'll see what I can produce...

 

[Braineack]

I admire you guys who get sharp images of birds in flight and maybe AF-C works best with nothing in the background but a clear sky so the autofocus doesn't get confused.

It needs something to focus on before it will work.

If you're using AF-C, holding the camera steady, then expecting it to lock on a moving object flying through the frame, you'll never nail the focus.

You need to understand how the focus works. On the lower end models:

If you're using Dynamic Mode: Say you focus on a cat, and the cat starts moving, it will then focus elsewhere to get back in focus. It will not track on the cat.

When you're using 3D: It will start focusing on your single point--we can use the cat again here--but if it moves, it will track it throughout your focus points to try to maintain focus on the thing your originally focused on.


Success matters on understanding. The reason AF-S is working for you is because you're focusing where the horse will be, and capturing it as it jumps across your focus area. The reason AF-C is not, is because you're not using it properly and using it in the same manner as you would AF-S and expecting it to work.

 

[Pejacre]

Thanks for the advice Braineack - I've struggled understanding the distinction between the Dynamic and 3D autofocus modes so just avoided them - your explanation helps a lot.

 

[FITBMX]

I never use AF, I keep it on manual all the time, it makes it more fun!!!

 

[Civchic]

I really just missed - it happens. And yes, pejacre, I thought your post/photo was exactly on topic! LOL.

Izzie, you hit on one of the things I wish I could upgrade about my camera - lack of spot metering. But I was panning with centre focus and just missed - I've actually started to play with manual focus a lot lately, and it works great, when it works great. Sometimes I'm just way too slow.

 

[IzzieK]

I really just missed - it happens. And yes, pejacre, I thought your post/photo was exactly on topic! LOL.

Izzie, you hit on one of the things I wish I could upgrade about my camera - lack of spot metering. But I was panning with centre focus and just missed - I've actually started to play with manual focus a lot lately, and it works great, when it works great. Sometimes I'm just way too slow.

Oh...I didn't know that. I just googled your camera and it really says it has no spot metering. It highlighted the advantage of ISOs though...