Tips on taking Action Shots?

[Spanky]

I have a DMC-FZ20 & DMW-LTZ10 1.5x Tele Conversion Lens. I am struggling in my efforts to take clearly focused Action Shots of my kid's sports. Seeking advice. Thank you.

[JLV]

You want to try using center focus or spot focus.

[road_rascal]

I use these settings when taking photos of my daughter during fastpitch softball games:

Preset white balance (sunny or cloudy), spot focus, multiple or center weighted metering, shutter priority and depending on how bright it is outside, ISO 80 or 100. I always have the histogram on to help out with exposure. I usually can get awesome shots of my daughter pitching (with the ball clearly in focus) using 1/800 or 1/1000 shutter speeds. It has to be a very clear and sunny day for 1/1300 and above speeds.

[John_Reed]

I have a DMC-FZ20 & DMW-LTZ10 1.5x Tele Conversion Lens. I am struggling in my efforts to take clearly focused Action Shots of my kid's sports. Seeking advice. Thank you.
1) Don't use any more zoom than you really need. It's harder to keep your subject framed and spotted with the focus spot if you use too much zoom.

2) Focus doesn't adapt to a subject moving fore and aft along the lens axis while the shutter is open. Try shooting the subject running from side to side.

3) Pan with the subject, that is, move the camera as you shoot to keep your chosen subject in focus, even at the expense of background blur.

[genece]

Everything said is 100% accurate.
Especially it does not get easier as you add teleconverters.
Do not overlook the value of a lens hood on the converter.

And this is against conventional wisdom but try it with Continuous Auto focus turned off. I can not use that thing and maybe you can not either.

One thing I use in similar situations is to set the focus to manual and prefocus on a spot or set the camera to infinity ( works at times and not others)
I do not understand the principle well enough to know when it will and when it will not work.

If you want to try that.
Put the camera in manual focus and zoom to about what you want and put the lens cap on,then push the focus switch down until you hear the beep.
You will now be set at infinity, it will change if the camera turns off or if you zoom.

One other thing .. there is a pretty good crop factor with a FZ20 so maybe try it without the converter and crop for the same effect.

I hope something here will help you

[Spanky]

To: “JVL”, “road rascal”, John Reed & Gene
From: Spanky

Message:
Thank you very much for your kind advice on how to take sharp pictures of fast moving objects!
I appreciate your time and consideration.

I preface my response to your suggestions with the admission that I am a newbie digital photographer.

After reviewing your suggestions, I dove into the “Operating Instructions” of my DMC-FZ20PP. Using the “Index” on page numbers 123 & 124, I was able to locate the parameters that you suggested to preset.

Thanks to your suggestions, I am better educated (and grateful).

Follow-Up Question:
For taking sharp pictures of fast moving objects, why is the “Shutter-priority AE” the preferred “Mode Dial” selection rather than the “SCN1” or “SCN2” in “Sports Mode”?

For Your Information:
To (further) enhance the clarity of focus of my Sports Action Shots, (after much research) I ordered a Bogen/Manfrotto 190MF3 Magfiber Carbon Fiber 3-Section Tripod Legs with 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head. I hope this investment is a wise choice. Can you offer any insights on these products?

Thanks again for taking the time to assist a rookie!

Best regards,
Spanky

[genece]

All of the scene modes and sports mode are kind of a compromise and you may well find something that works great for you.
Do not forget we all use the camera a little differently than someone else and to kind of make that point... I favor using aperture priority over shutter priority but that is the way I like to do it.The reason I like doing it that way is when I set the aperture I want (F2.8) for most sports the camera can always choose the correct shutterspeed for a correct exposure.
But if you choose a shutter speed the camera can not always choose the correct aperture for the correct exposure.
And that tripod is a quality product you should be happy with it.
I could not really get used to that head but it was also well made.
Good luck