Nikon D7100 Focus Advice: I take pictures of running events such as marathons and trail runs. I notice that sometimes when multiple runners are in the frame, 1 is in focus but others...

mikesphotos Loc: Kentucky

I take pictures of running events such as marathons and trail runs. I notice that sometimes when multiple runners are in the frame, 1 is in focus but others are not. What focus mode and AF-area mode would you recommend to be sure all moving subjects in the frame are in foucs?

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

mikesphotos wrote:

I take pictures of running events such as marathons and trail runs. I notice that sometimes when multiple runners are in the frame, 1 is in focus but others are not. What focus mode and AF-area mode would you recommend to be sure all moving subjects in the frame are in foucs?

What affect(s) are you after?

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

mikesphotos wrote:

I take pictures of running events such as marathons and trail runs. I notice that sometimes when multiple runners are in the frame, 1 is in focus but others are not. What focus mode and AF-area mode would you recommend to be sure all moving subjects in the frame are in foucs?

You will want to set focus to AF-C to maintain focus on moving subjects, and probably use the d-9 setting to tell the camera to refocus on one of the 8 adjacent focal points if your subject slips out of the one you chose. 3D might be better if you're right on top of the runners and they're rushing closely by.

As for getting all the runners in focus, you will need a smaller aperture (higher f-stop number) to increase your depth of field. But that will result in the need for higher ISO and/or lower shutter speeds.

mikesphotos Loc: Kentucky

Thank you very much for the detailed recommendations, Steve. That's just what I needed. So you recommend the d-9 settings rather than the d-51?

mikesphotos Loc: Kentucky

No real special affects. I just want to get the sharpest pictures possible of the runners as they pass by. I do often find myself in low light situations, which can complicate things.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

mikesphotos wrote:

No real special affects. I just want to get the sharpest pictures possible of the runners as they pass by. I do often find myself in low light situations, which can complicate things.

Only a small aperture will get them all in focus. Depending on the light that may mean an unacceptable ISO to get the shutter speed up high enough unless you are on a tripod. A VR lens and a monopod may do it with proper technique.

mikesphotos Loc: Kentucky

phlash46 wrote:

Only a small aperture will get them all in focus. Depending on the light that may mean an unacceptable ISO to get the shutter speed up high enough unless you are on a tripod. A VR lens and a monopod may do it with proper technique.

So it appears I will need to use Manual settings with a higher f stop and shutter speed, balanced with an acceptable ISO setting. I typically am on a tripod for these shoots.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

mikesphotos wrote:

I take pictures of running events such as marathons and trail runs. I notice that sometimes when multiple runners are in the frame, 1 is in focus but others are not. What focus mode and AF-area mode would you recommend to be sure all moving subjects in the frame are in foucs?

You need more understanding of Depth of Field. Here is an online DOF calculator, just enter in your camera, your lens, and your subject distance and it will show you the DOF you will get. Change the aperture variable to show how the DOF will change at different apertures.
Good luck.
http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

mikesphotos Loc: Kentucky

MT Shooter wrote:

You need more understanding of Depth of Field. Here is an online DOF calculator, just enter in your camera, your lens, and your subject distance and it will show you the DOF you will get. Change the aperture variable to show how the DOF will change at different apertures.
Good luck.
http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Thank you very much for this MT Shooter. I will study this chart and learn more about DOF.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

mikesphotos wrote:

Thank you very much for the detailed recommendations, Steve. That's just what I needed. So you recommend the d-9 settings rather than the d-51?

As per Nikon's owner's manual, which "d-" setting to employ depends mostly on the predictability of the subject's movement.

I believe they may have even used examples- d-9 for runners, walkers (very predictable movement), d-21 for sports (where movement is somewhat predictable), and d-51 for birds in flight (very unpredictable).

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

MT Shooter wrote:

You need more understanding of Depth of Field. Here is an online DOF calculator, just enter in your camera, your lens, and your subject distance and it will show you the DOF you will get. Change the aperture variable to show how the DOF will change at different apertures.
Good luck.
http://dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

:thumbup:

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

mikesphotos wrote:

So it appears I will need to use Manual settings with a higher f stop and shutter speed, balanced with an acceptable ISO setting. I typically am on a tripod for these shoots.

That would work and the ISO will take care of itself. If you have a camera with good high ISO tolerance, you'll be fine.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

mikesphotos wrote:

So it appears I will need to use Manual settings with a higher f stop and shutter speed, balanced with an acceptable ISO setting. I typically am on a tripod for these shoots.

Shutter speed priority and aperture priority may work, too.
You can experiment by shooting approaching traffic from a sidewalk.

It's also a good exercise to learn how the focusing system works in different modes.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

steve_stoneblossom wrote:

Shutter speed priority and aperture priority may work, too.
You can experiment by shooting approaching traffic from a sidewalk.

It's also a good exercise to learn how the focusing system works in different modes.

If you use A, the shutter speed may be too low and you'll get subject blur. If you use S, the aperture may be too large and not everything will be in focus.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

phlash46 wrote:

If you use A, the shutter speed may be too low and you'll get subject blur. If you use S, the aperture may be too large and not everything will be in focus.

And then you adjust ISO.

I'm not saying don't shoot full manual. I'm saying you can make the same adjustments in priority that you can in manual, using any one of the three as your constant.