Shutter Speed & Action Shots

[black udder]

Ok... I'm new to cameras as anything more than an occasional use item, and I'm having a couple problems with both my S1 IS and S3 IS (I do like the camera a lot).

1) For some reason, I am unable to focus on some objects. It appears there is enough light, but the camera does the auto focus, the focal square lights up green, but the subject is not in focus. I know it's my lack of knowledge, but wondering why?

2) I get a lot of shots action shots that are a little blurry. One that looked good on the viewer, but was bad when I transferred it, was of somebody jumping on a trampoline. I was trying to get a picture of them at their apex. The distance was probably 20 ft and it was the middle of a sunny day. Is it possible to get this type shot with a camera like the S3? Or is this something that DSLRs excel at?

Thanks to all for the lively apature discussion! :)

[Gopher]

Did you have it on full auto? Sports mode? Can you post an example with EXIF data.

If you can pre-focus such a shot it should come out well. Of course, you need to take care about holding the camera still.

Your zoom amount also plays a big part. If you're zoomed out to 400mm and shooting from across the yard, then it's really hard to keep things still enough.

Also; I think 1/1000th would do really well for caputuring such action. 1/500th maybe. 1/250th you'll have to catch them right at the apex to be clear of motion blur.

[BowerR64]

I watched a show on cable called DIY on demand and there was a show about photography and how to take action shots. I tried it today and it works brilliant.

I knew the motorcycle would be near the center of the road so i focused on the road in the center then i locked the focus to MF. When the motorbike came by all i had to do was fallow the bike and click the shutter. It worked good sept i had my whitebalance lighting set wrong so its all blue. :rolleyes:

[scupking]

I would agree with everyone, 1/500th-1/1000th should serve you well (I use 1/500th to 1/1000th at airshows and I’m taken pics of some aircraft that are moving at 600+ mph with no problems) or you could do what BowerR64 said and lock focus on an object near where you know your subject is going to be.

[AlexMonro]

Just a thought, I know this is probably obvious, but have you checked that you haven't accidently selected manual focus or macro mode?

[BowerR64]

a flower icon on the screen indicates its in macro, and MF indicates its in "manual focus"

These cameras are not that smart, they will pick focus points that you dont even want in focus. I wish the focus point was a dot insted of a box. The box just seems a littl eto large of a focus area for me most of the time.

I read that it trys to find a straight line in the subject to focus on. If it cant find one it will beep once or just not focus at all.

[AMDnut]

Check your ISO setting and move it to 100...

I had similar problems with the S2 and found the ISO default was 50. After I switched to 100, the problem went away.

Also, what mode are you in? Start with learning the "P" mode and settings, then move to another. I shoot most in the "P" mode and it serves me well. Only for specific shots do I go to another mode.

[BowerR64]

Ive been using P mode alot latley myself, its cool because its like auto butyou can change the BG color, alter the flash and boost the vivid wich i like to do.

[black udder]

I've typically been shooting in the "sports" or fast shutter speed (on my S1 IS). I've also been shooting in the portait recently just to see how it shows up.

I'll give the P mode a try. I've been playing with AV & TV as well to see what kind of difference they make.

Thanks for the great suggestions.