Olympus 40-150 f2.8 for sports - top techniques?

Great set and since you're mostly at f:4 with the converter, it's very evident the combination can be used wide open with confidence.

Interesting that you're using CAF+tr, as the tracking function has proved buggy for many (myself included). Maybe I'll give it another go. As it is I'm typically in CAF with either center nine or center single small spot pattern (E-M1).

My long lenses are all 4/3 but faster focusing and frame rates of the Pro lenses are getting harder to ignore the more I shoot. If only they'd release that 300!

Cheers,

Rick

Thank you Rick, I will try your focus approach, I also am awaiting for the 300mm though don't expect it to be readily affordable

Regards

Phil

Very good pictures, do you use a sequential mode with the CAF Tr or single shot ? and which focus framing do you use ?

Thank you for the compliment, yes all handheld sorry the EXIF was turned off on lightroom though I shoot 'S' with a setting of 1/2000th min where ever I can and let the aperture and ISO fight it out though as its the UK it normally means shooting wide open which I prefer to get some isolation through DOF

I agree on the tripod grip as I balance the camera from here, it would be a nice idea - I also have a black rapid connected to the lens tripod collar so it is naturally what comes to hand

lapdog99 wrote:

Phil, nice quality sports shots. Were they handheld ( wish someone would come up with an easy to slip on rubber grip for the lens support) or monopod, or tripod?

Hi Denjw thank you for the compliment very kind, i'm going to try the back button suggested and report back. If the weather allows me to f5.6 is going to be my next try out with the converter

Thank you for

Phil

Denjw wrote:

Excellent images, well done.

As posted above you can configure the E-M1 to use a back focus button.

Also see this thread:

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55846465

where the poster suggests that when using the lens with the teleconverter f/5.6 maybe the ideal aperture.

I am going to test this when I am next out birding.

Cheers

Dennis

Bob657

Thank you glad you like them. American football is taking hold in the UK, ive had an unhealthy interest since it arrived here 10+ years ago. For me as I know some of the team its an opportunity to take real sideline shots which I wouldn't get unless I was a full time photographer with all the accreditation. They also get the shots so it works well.

Bob657 wrote:

Very nice set Phil, I was surprised they're playing American Football!

Hi Olyham

Thank you for the comments much appreciated. I use C-AF+TR and sequentially (normally Low as I shoot raw)

I currently use single spot on the larger or more detailed 9x9 grid. I'm not convinced I've got this entirely right yet as the focus lock has been side tracked when the action gets going a couple of times. I also set one of my FN buttons - RH of the lens mount to re-centre the focus point, this gets be out of trouble at times.

Hope this helps and please share any experiences

Regards Phil

olyham wrote:

Very good pictures, do you use a sequential mode with the CAF Tr or single shot ? and which focus framing do you use ?

Great photos Phil! I bought the 40-150 with this in mind...can't wait to get on the side lines....

What some wonderful captures...excellent even the ISO 4000 shots were very nice!

Thank you

You wont be disappointed in your purchase if you would like to see what else it does apart from sports here are a few photos I have collected in the last few months trying the lens out, its pretty versatile

http://bit.ly/1F2tPAH

Good shooting

regards

Phil

LTZ470 wrote:

Great photos Phil! I bought the 40-150 with this in mind...can't wait to get on the side lines....

What some wonderful captures...excellent even the ISO 4000 shots were very nice!

Thank you khoss

khoss wrote:

You really caught action peaks. Your methods obviously work !

Regards,

Kurt

Contrary to most reviews, mine does not focus fast at all if it has been focused somewhere far away (near or close) than where you want it to focus now.

Solution?

1970's era prefocusing.

Hi

Ive found this on a few occassions especially where the focus has a clear option ie action on the field or nicely defined grandstand in the background - i'm guessing the latter is easier to pick up on for the lens and takes priority. anyway i have two things that I tend to do I hope they help you

1. I do prefocus ie find something close the where I anticipate the action - this seems to prompt the lens that I want this type of distance - not much science in this answer but I would give it a go.

also

2. I have one of my front FN buttons programmed to bring my focus point to the centre of the viewfinder

These two allow me to be a little more ready and anticipate the action which is a whole lot of what action photography is all about

regards

Phil

abe4652 wrote:

Contrary to most reviews, mine does not focus fast at all if it has been focused somewhere far away (near or close) than where you want it to focus now.

Solution?

1970's era prefocusing.