Best settings for Sports/Action photography using M50

[Alexis]

Hi all,

I know Sports have been covered in a different thread but here I want to hear just about what settings people are using to shoot sports (say motor racing) using something like the EF-M 55-200 or similar to maximise the rate of good images to minimise delays due to buffers filling up etc. I look forward to hearing your experiences and advice.

Thanks in advance

 

[ruley74]

I've only had one crack at motorsport and it was within two weeks of owning the M50, I used both TV and the panning mode with success with a 24-105L bolted on. In hindsight and learning a bit more now I would only use the panning mode if I had a ND filter as I had quite a few at shutter speeds less than 1/50 which maxed out or near maxed out the aperture at the high end. I think I'll just set shutter at 1/100 and go from there next time.



For someone that had previously never done it before it worked amazingly well.



A couple of shots from the day.













--

https://www.instagram.com/ruley74/

 

[Alexis]

Hi Ruley74

Thanks for responding.

Below is one image that I shot using my M50 with the EF-M 55-200 lens and the settings that I used were:
Mode: Program
AF Mode: Servo
Drive: Continuous
ISO: 500 shutter: 1/640 f:10

Cannot remember if I was using single point autofocus, zone or tracking. That is why I started this thread because I wanted to hear from others - seems nobody else is using the M50 to shoot fast-moving sports/action :-(











--

alexis

Professional photographer based in Cyprus specialising in weddings, christenings, baptisms, sports, aerial photography and KAP

www.alexisimages.com

alexis

Professional photographer based in Cyprus specialising in weddings, christenings, baptisms, sports, aerial photography and KAP

alexis.smugmug.com

Galleries by Alexis Hadjisoteriou

www.pbase.com

 

[STCARDWELL]

I just purchased the Canon M50 for my daughter to use to take pictures at barrel races. It came with two lens. She can not figure out how to make the pictures sharper. Trying to decide if it needs sent back.

 

[ruley74]

I just purchased the Canon M50 for my daughter to use to take pictures at barrel races. It came with two lens. She can not figure out how to make the pictures sharper. Trying to decide if it needs sent back.

Hi there,

I would suggest trying static subjects to check the camera/lenses for sharpness. Ensure the shutter speed is high enough to ensure motion blur is not a factor from operator movement and go form there.

Also, you need to consider what the F stop is at from a depth of Field POV as to how much of the subject is in focus.

 

[R2D2]

I just purchased the Canon M50 for my daughter to use to take pictures at barrel races. It came with two lens. She can not figure out how to make the pictures sharper. Trying to decide if it needs sent back.

Welcome. You've come to the right place, and we can provide some general recommendations, but it would help if you provided some more information about lens, shutter speed, aperture, autofocus settings, etc. And some samples (of failures) would be a great help . With EXIF included.

I'd start by putting the camera in a mode such as Av (Aperture priority), with the aperture at maximum (lowest f-number). Increase the ISO until shutter speed is at least 1/1000 second. Set the autofocus to Servo, and use a single AF point. Shoot bursts.

Or if she prefers, set the camera to Tv mode (Shutter priority) with a shutter speed of 1/1000 second, and ISO to Auto.

There are many different variations on this, but these will work great.

R2

--
Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries

 

[STCARDWELL]

This is the camera and lens she purchased. Canon - EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera Two Lens Kit with EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM and EF-M 55-200mm 1:4.5-6.3 IS STM Zoom Lenses.

attached is a picture she took today with Canon - EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera EF-M 55-200mm 1:4.5-6.3 and with the NikonD3400.

 

[AmateurSnaps]

What settings for M50?

What settings for Nikon?

What lens is on the Nikon.

Enjoy my M50 but it wouldn’t be my choice for sports.

 

[ruley74]

This is the camera and lens she purchased. Canon - EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera Two Lens Kit with EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM and EF-M 55-200mm 1:4.5-6.3 IS STM Zoom Lenses.

attached is a picture she took today with Canon - EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera EF-M 55-200mm 1:4.5-6.3 and with the NikonD3400.

Thanks, if you can upload the images with the EXIF data in tact that it would make it easier to understand as that will give us the setting used.

On first observation it seems this may be indoors, so I'm going out on a limb and say lighting may be challenging, pushing ISO up with the shutter speed you'd need to stop the action for sharpness.

FYI if you get the EF to M adapter I found the EF-S 55-250 STM to be quite a good lens match for the M50, particularly for the money. This will also give you an extra 50mm and is 5.6 vs 6.3.

I would say this looks more like motion blur without knowing anything else. I would be bumping up shutter speed and trying again.

--
Dean
I give permission to edit my posted images for the purpose of constructive feedback, if it's not constructive don't bother!

https://www.instagram.com/dean_rule_photography/

 

[STCARDWELL]

okay, let me see if I can find out the settings she had the camera set at while taking that picture.

Also, I have saw a lot of posts about the adaptor. What is the purpose of the adaptor. Are the kit lens not good?

i appreciate all your help.

 

[ruley74]

okay, let me see if I can find out the settings she had the camera set at while taking that picture.

Also, I have saw a lot of posts about the adaptor. What is the purpose of the adaptor. Are the kit lens not good?

i appreciate all your help.

The adapter just gives you options to a bunch of Canon lenses as the M mount lenses are very limited. I didn't have the 55-200 M mount when I had my M50 so I cannot judge.

 

[AmateurSnaps]

Fast moving sports is one of the more challenging tasks for a camera. If its indoors that just adds to the challenge.



Fast auto focus and a fast lens are a huge benefit. Unfortunately both cost money.

 

[Microprism]

This is the camera and lens she purchased. Canon - EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera Two Lens Kit with EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM and EF-M 55-200mm 1:4.5-6.3 IS STM Zoom Lenses.

attached is a picture she took today with Canon - EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera EF-M 55-200mm 1:4.5-6.3 and with the NikonD3400.

I did not have much luck focusing the 55-200mm EF-M first with a M3 and later a M6, so I stuck it away in a drawer. After getting a M6II, I gave the lens a second chance and actually like it quite a bit now. It's optically very good. You might test it out on some slower moving objects to see if the M50's autofocus system is up to the task. Also, at 200mm the 55-200mm is f/6.3 which is pretty dim. By comparison, the EF-S 55-250 is f/5.6 at 200mm and that bit of extra brightness makes a difference, I think.

 

[R2D2]

okay, let me see if I can find out the settings she had the camera set at while taking that picture.

That would be great. An image with EXIF would help out a lot too.

Thx

 

[Alexis]

This is the camera and lens she purchased. Canon - EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera Two Lens Kit with EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM and EF-M 55-200mm 1:4.5-6.3 IS STM Zoom Lenses.

attached is a picture she took today with Canon - EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera EF-M 55-200mm 1:4.5-6.3 and with the NikonD3400.

I did not have much luck focusing the 55-200mm EF-M first with a M3 and later a M6, so I stuck it away in a drawer. After getting a M6II, I gave the lens a second chance and actually like it quite a bit now. It's optically very good. You might test it out on some slower moving objects to see if the M50's autofocus system is up to the task. Also, at 200mm the 55-200mm is f/6.3 which is pretty dim.

By comparison, the EF-S 55-250 is f/5.6 at 200mm and that bit of extra brightness makes a difference, I think.

I doubt half a stiop would make a big difference - a big price to pay for the extra weight of lens plus adaptor. My experience with M50+EF-M55-200 has been very positive.. (see some images I posted in this thread https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64544760 )



--
http://www.alexisimages.com
http://alexis.smugmug.com
http://www.pbase.com/alexis

 

[beagle1]

Hi all,

I know Sports have been covered in a different thread but here I want to hear just about what settings people are using to shoot sports (say motor racing) using something like the EF-M 55-200 or similar to maximise the rate of good images to minimise delays due to buffers filling up etc. I look forward to hearing your experiences and advice.

Thanks in advance

I use the Canon M5 for lacrosse and air shows - use a high shutter and auto ISO

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

 

[lungdoc]

Indoor amateur sports are extremely challenging due to fast action and low light combination. Will have far easier time outdoors. Pro sports-level facilities often easier too as lighting is much brighter.

May need an f/ 2.8 or faster lens, which isn't often cheap. The Canon 85 EF 1.8 is a good bargain indoor lens, easy to find used. A 70-200 2.8 zoom could be a good choice, many variants over the years, all pricey originally but used versions cheaper of course especially earlier ones. Very commonly rented also.

 

[Alexis]

I just purchased the Canon M50 for my daughter to use to take pictures at barrel races. It came with two lens. She can not figure out how to make the pictures sharper. Trying to decide if it needs sent back.

Welcome. You've come to the right place, and we can provide some general recommendations, but it would help if you provided some more information about lens, shutter speed, aperture, autofocus settings, etc. And some samples (of failures) would be a great help . With EXIF included.

I'd start by putting the camera in a mode such as Av (Aperture priority), with the aperture at maximum (lowest f-number). Increase the ISO until shutter speed is at least 1/1000 second. Set the autofocus to Servo, and use a single AF point. Shoot bursts.

That's a good starting point for a beginner - good advise!

Or if she prefers, set the camera to Tv mode (Shutter priority) with a shutter speed of 1/1000 second, and ISO to Auto.

There are many different variations on this, but these will work great.

R2

 

[R2D2]

I just purchased the Canon M50 for my daughter to use to take pictures at barrel races. It came with two lens. She can not figure out how to make the pictures sharper. Trying to decide if it needs sent back.

Welcome. You've come to the right place, and we can provide some general recommendations, but it would help if you provided some more information about lens, shutter speed, aperture, autofocus settings, etc. And some samples (of failures) would be a great help . With EXIF included.

I'd start by putting the camera in a mode such as Av (Aperture priority), with the aperture at maximum (lowest f-number). Increase the ISO until shutter speed is at least 1/1000 second. Set the autofocus to Servo, and use a single AF point. Shoot bursts.

That's a good starting point for a beginner - good advise!

Indeed, a tried and true formula!

Indoors the ISO is sure to skyrocket, but there’s good noise reduction available. And as long as the subject is sharp, then you can avoid the “crunchiness” that over-sharpening produces.

As some have mentioned already, a faster lens would do wonders (esp if you could gain a stop or two), but some folks just don’t have that option. However if they’re doing a lot of this kind of shooting, it would be advisable for sure! (I know you love your fast lenses Alexis ).

As skill increases, then they might be able to lower the shutter speed somewhat and thus reduce the ISO to preserve more detail. But horses (and their riders) move fast and do a lot of bouncing up and down, so those high shutter speeds will always be key.

I have confidence that the M50 can handle the autofocus end of things!

R2