How to focus perfectly for sports photography

Plus a Q+A announcement!

Instagram:

@robsamblessport
@robsamblesphoto (this one's for twitter too)
@scorchersphotog

The gear I use:

The gear from the accessories pouch:

[rkuexposures]

AL SERVO :D An honest mistake, but I can't stop laughing. "Hi, sir, what's your name? -I'm Al.. Al Servo".

[itsjustjava]

Thank you for this. Will try aiming for chest!

[TimMacdonaldNZ]

Playing around with sports photography at the moment . I'm using a 1DMK4 and a 70-200 IS mk II 2.8 . The stuff I'm shooting is mostly running ( track / off road etc . I'm wondering where do i aim the center focus point at. If I aim it at there eyes or chest then recompose I think ill end up missing a lot of shots from pointing the camera up to get focus then down to recompose and capture . Or should i be moving the focus point off center . would love you advice. most of these shots I'm not standing up right

[roblangejr]

As a beginner, I've found zone auto focus using the middle 9 points to be helpful. The viewfinder feedback is easier to see with 9 points. I'll switch to single point at the end of a game to practice single point af. That's the eventual goal. Thanks for the great videos!

[erxcdecker]

Now that the R5/6 have more advanced face detection modes, do you ever use those when shooting sports? Or do you still stick to single point?

[grahamclark]

Another good one Rob.
The Nikon equivalent of AI-Servo is AF-C (continuous)
The closest to the "Case" settings on Nikon is "Focus tracking with lock-on", you can vary how quickly the AF responds to a "new" AF lock and adjust for erratic subjects.
Both of the above relevant to the D5, D850 and D500, not sure on other Nikon bodies.

[clairewilders]

Love this thank you. I have been struggling with my focus for any movement photography, as I have been trying to focus on the face and failing miserably, so will definitely try focusing on the chest. I’ve also been trying to work out how to use the cases properly too but never finding any info on them so thanks again. Will give them all a try and see which one I prefer.

[stephensmithphotography]

Such a great video, thank you. Keep up the good work 👍

[paulmalone]

Hi Rob: I feel Case 5 and 6 is asking more from Camera than what it can do.I really like Case 4. I agree with using single point, center focus.

[carlosdias]

Hi Rob! Still getting back to your video content to refresh ideas and making sure that I'm not losing track! Seeing that sport events are picking back by the day! Let's keep it that way!!! Cheers

[hintonjayb]

Great stuff! I learned some cool info today that I'll use for basketball later. One question: I tend to have issues with focus when a basketball player is driving right toward me. I figure I am doing something wrong. Please tell me what you do and I will try to mimic it next time. Thanks!

[squaretops]

Hi im trying to set up my canon 7d with 70-300ml for surf photography.When i hold down the shutter button to focus in AI Servo mode with single point focus or expand focus i dont hear a beep telling me i have achieved focus or the focus point does not light up.I have selected case 1.Is this the way AI servo works.Maybe it is working but i prefer to see my focus points light up or something in a highly sophisticated piece of photography equipment like a 7d.It says in the manual that thr is no beep when focus is acheived in AI Servo.I dont like the sound of this and how do you track a subject if nothing even lights up on the focus point in the viewfinder.Maybe i need to adjust some more settings on my camera to get it working properly or maybe it is working already some of the practice shots ive taken of a windmill came out ok.

[evoris]

I have a brand new EOS 90D and there doesn’t seem to be a Case setting or single point focus. There is a Spot AF or 1pt AF.

[jeztighe]

Thanks for another great video Rob, I tend to use case 4 but will give case 1 a try! do you go with the default settings?
Good luck and best wishes to you & Mrs S.

[rachidolamine]

Great Video ! Looking forward to the Q&A one ... any hints when it will be up?

[lindawalker]

I do rodeo photography and I use the single focus point. If I point the focus point on the cowboy then the animal is out of focus. Is there a focus point that will bring the entire frame into focus?

[paulmalone]

Hi Rob: Canon user forever. I found with digital, that I always keep shutter speed at 1/2000 of a second.Depending on conditions of course.With film I felt good with 1/1000 of a second.

[my_everyday_carry]

Question: Do you like shooting at a particular f/stop regularly? I particularly like being wide-open because of the look it delivers, but find I have more out-of-focus shots. I use single-point and AF-C and don’t drop below 1/1000 for the shutter speed. Curious if you have any suggestions to capture more keepers. Thanks!

[nomadcompany]

No one seems to cover focusing on players coming toward you.... butterfly swimmers for arguments sake.

[RonaldMolapo-vreb]

Hi man i wanna know which setting should i use during the night using Canon eos 1100D