Action photos with 717?

[randy168564]

Is the 717 able to produce quality action shots,even with the limiting "3 burst mode"? It seems as though the camera is great except this one limiting feature! Does the teleconverter work well with the autophocus?
Any info is appreciated!

 

[Terry Runge-Erle]

Rande..I get excellent results outside..check out my rodeo pictures in the current challenge. The barrel racing picture is NOT in the 3 burst mode, but the others are. To get the action, you just have to anticipate when and where the action is going to be, and be ready. I have problems indoors with action however, since I can not use the flash and the indoor arena's just don't have the required light to get the shutter speeds high enough to eliminate the "blur".

Terry

Is the 717 able to produce quality action shots,even with the
limiting "3 burst mode"? It seems as though the camera is great
except this one limiting feature! Does the teleconverter work well
with the autophocus?
Any info is appreciated!

 

[wis1]

Is the 717 able to produce quality action shots,even with the
limiting "3 burst mode"? It seems as though the camera is great
except this one limiting feature! Does the teleconverter work well
with the autophocus?
Any info is appreciated!

I recently took some soccer shots at my son's game (#15) with my new

TCON 17 and used auto focus and shutter priority(see exif). I tried 3 shot burstmode and found I preferred single shot mode. I used manual white balance so the 717 did'nt have to, I think this reduces lag time. I also prefocused (half press). It still is a challenge to get the perfect timing due to shutter lag. This was my first attempt so I'm learning. You can see the results at:

http://www.pbase.com/wis1

wis1, 717,TCON-17

 

[David Vodofsky]

The key is knowing the game and being able to anticipate where the action will be. Pre-focus by pressing the shutter half-way down, let the action come to you and fire before it happens. If you see it in your viewfinder - you missed the shot.

I do not use burst mode.

This is a photo of a great save at my sons high school soccer game this past season.

http://www.pbase.com/image/10370361

vodophoto

 

[adi Saputra]

Rande,

You are right, the camera is great, focusing is very good, but it is limited by the lack of continuous shot and continuous focus lock.

I shoot portraits, and in many case I missed good face expression. I can only look at the view finder and frustrated for not being able to take the next shot fast enough.

I think for sport, the nikon 5700,or maybe olympus/minolta prosumer are the better performers.

oh and the... 3 burst mode... fast, but takes a long time to save (I use normal, highest image size), I almost never used this feature.

Good luck,

-Adi-

Is the 717 able to produce quality action shots,even with the
limiting "3 burst mode"? It seems as though the camera is great
except this one limiting feature! Does the teleconverter work well
with the autophocus?
Any info is appreciated!

 

[Steve Cavigliano]

Is the 717 able to produce quality action shots,even with the
limiting "3 burst mode"?

It sure is. IMHO, outdoors it works as well as any DC. For indoor action, it's the best of all the DC's. While I'd like to see a stronger "Burst" mode, the fast lens helps to compensate. There's always trade-offs. Some cameras have better continuous modes, but don't give you the AF accuracy, or lens speed (faster lenses make it easier to attain high shutter speeds in less than ideal lighting).

IMO, no DC will do a great job of it, because of the shutter lag. You can compensate by using continuous or burst modes. So, you can get a camera that all you need do, is point it at the action and fire away. Or, you can get a camera that will give you equally excellent results. But it will take a little more skill and knowledge on your part.

It seems as though the camera is great
except this one limiting feature!

As others have mentioned, Burst3 is weak and takes longer than desireable to process. But, other factors lessen the impact of this weakness.

Does the teleconverter work well
with the autophocus?
Any info is appreciated!

If you get a good TC, you'll get good AF perfomance in most lighting.

Steve

--
http://www.pbase.com/slo2k

'If one really wishes to be master of an art, technical knowledge of it is not enough. One has to transcend technique so that the art becomes an 'artless art' growing out of the Unconscious.'

 

[Tom O'Farrell]

It will produce very high quality shots but it ain't easy. The two sports I primarily shoot are motocross and baseball. Both sports are relatively easy to anticipate which you really need to do with the 717. You will struggle with the shutterlag, the slow AF and in low light situations, but with practice you can get great shots. The shutter speed will only go to 1/1000 which hinders some sports.

Without rambling on forever the key is decent light, knowing your sport and prefocus/anticipate.

Tom
http://www.tomofarrell.com

Is the 717 able to produce quality action shots,even with the
limiting "3 burst mode"? It seems as though the camera is great
except this one limiting feature! Does the teleconverter work well
with the autophocus?
Any info is appreciated!