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Action shots - Faster lens options (EF preferred) and camera software settings

Started 2 months ago | Discussions thread
nnowak Veteran Member • Posts: 9,073
Re: Action shots - Faster lens options (EF preferred) and camera software settings

EscVelocity wrote:

Hi everyone! I want to learn if there are any good options to get some faster action shots. I'm looking to be able to get pictures at school events (elementary kids move fast!) and possibly pictures of pets and animals. I have the M50, and with a lot of the doom and gloom about whether the M series is still in active development I would probably lean toward picking up EF lenses (plus I know there's a dearth of fast EF-M lenses).

What kind of "events"?  Plays, concerts, indoor sports outdoor sports?

What sort of "pets and animals" photos?  Action shots, posed shots, birds in flight, or large mammals at the zoo?

There are a lot of lens options and what will work best really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. The right answer could be anything from a 16mm f/1.4 prime to a 150-600mm zoom.

I already have the following:

  • EF-M 18-55
  • EF-M 22
  • EF 55-250
  • EF 40
  • EF 50
  • EF-M 55 full manual (7 Artisans)

I'm wondering if there is a fast lens worth looking at. If a prime, I'd be interested in recommendations both for a wide angle and for something with some reach, though I'd probably prioritize the later. I don't currently own a speed booster, but I am also considering that as an option (possibly in conjunction with a faster lens).

For multiple reasons, a speedbooster is probably a bad idea

I'm also wondering if there are any camera settings I should be focused on. I noticed when looking through old threads that spot AF is supposed to be faster than the alternative; I'm going to have to check to see which one I've been using!

Single point AF will probably work the best, but again, it will depend on the details of what you are shooting.

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