D60 AF, tracking.

Lee Rothman said:

It looks to me in this pic that shutter speed is as much a culprit,
but if not you have to realize that regardless of the unending
arguments that flow here, the D60's focus speed isn't in league
with a 1D, which in the case of your above photo would have been
captured with both eyes closed. I'm not trying to be smug as much
as I'd suggest starting with Tv mode and go from there trying to
capture people in motion like this. You might also try the "ambush"
method of manually focusing in the area they are headed toward and
nail them as they enter that "zone". Good luck........

Click to expand...

This was shot it S priority mode, most likley not under 400, I was trying to keep the speeds up, but the afternoon games became a challange. This photo is soft due to general lack of clarity, a lot of grain and noise in the original, and a lot of PS and neat image work to try to salvage it.

I understand the D60 is not in the class of the 1d as far as focus speed, I am trying to get input on how the D60 speed would help in this situation.

I am not sure what you mean by captured with both eyes closed. or what Tv mode is?

Your Ambush, or pre-focus technique works well for certain sports, racing, baseball, etc where the point of action is predictalbe. For Soccer type action, I find myself anticipating action, focusing on the player, or ball and then releasing at the peak moment. The Zone is not predictable, nor does the field provide figures to pre-focus on.

I would be surprised if I found that I needed a 1d to cover my kids sports as my hobby, but I certainly would not want to purchase the D60 if it is going to frustrate me too.

Maybe the only answer is to try and rent one and try for myself.

Token wrote:

Thanks for your response, This image was taken with the E-10. I am not proud of it, it was posted more as a "look what I missed" photo. I truley believe the equipment was limiting me.

The E was set in S mode, I belive I had to shoot in ISO160 as the sun was setting, Shutter speeds would have been 400 or above, (the clouds came and went) and the apeture was ranging from 2.8-4.0 (again the clouds)

I had on what is know as the super combo Tcon 314 lens converters that produce an equivilent of 600mm focal lenght. (I know this is a very weak link)

The camera was tri-pod mounted, however the swivels were loosened enogh to allow me to move the camera angle. (I believe it was very steady)

Member said:

John,
You will find that the E-10 is not anywere near the same league as
the D60 in any of the areas you are worried about. But, it does
have to be used properly.

Click to expand...

This is what I am wondering, I know the 1D is the ultimate, I wonder if the D60 is a viable mid point for the issues in question.

Member said:

I guess a couple of questions are in order. What operating
condition was the camera in for your posted picture? And more
importantly to me, what lens was used?

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See above.

Member said:

The operating condition is important for a couple of reasons. If
you are in the Auto mode (green rectangle on the mode wheel) you
can not use AI servo focus mode. Without AI Servo mode the camera
must take the time to refocus each time the camera is brought to
half press. But then only that focus point is used for burst of
pictures, and that means that the first picture MAY be in focus,
but others probably will not be on a moving target. If you don't
want to use the Tv mode and set the shutter speeds yourself, try
the Sports Mode (the running person image on the mode control
dial). Also try using the burst mode and the AI Servo mode of
focus.

Click to expand...

The AI Servo mode will continuously focus on the target as

Member said:

long as the shutter is held half way or more. This means that you
do not have to keep bringing the shutter button to half smash and
wait for focus for each shot.

Click to expand...

This is the feature I most desire!

Member said:

More important to me, is what lens did you use on the D60 for this
picture? The reason I say that is that there seems to be some real
issues with this image. I can not tell where the camera focussed
at all in this image, but this could be cause by camera motion if
you used a slow shutter speed. There seems to be rather severe CA
in this image, along with "blueing". And last, but far from least,
is that vignetting I see in the corners?

Click to expand...

Again, this was posted more as a what if I had the D60. One benifit of the D60 is the qualtiy glass available for all conditions, I am sure this alone will be a huge advantage.

Member said:

Sooo...what lens and what operating mode please?

Click to expand...

Thanks for your input,

John