Question about Canon zoom lens 100-300 mm 1:5.6: My only lens is a Canon zoom 100-300mm 1:5.6, and it is very heavy. I just don't know if that means that I can make close-ups with it...

GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA

My only lens is a Canon zoom 100-300mm 1:5.6, and it is very heavy. I just don't know if that means that I can make close-ups with it, or just zoom from 100 ft - 300 ft?? I have read the manual twice, and I went to the Stanley Ringer Park this morning in Brighton, MA, I pressed the blue button, turned the dial to delay, pressed the shutter... Then I ran in front of it, 15 feet away, and watched it time-out and take the picture. Did it focus on me? Does it focus after the timer is done before it snaps the picture? I don't know. I just don't know.

I am using it with my DH Canon EOS 620 camera (film only).

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

The 100-300 refers to focal length. It has nothing to do with how far or near you can focus. All lenses focus to infinity. Some will focus closer then others. My 100-400 will focus closer then my 70-200, for example. Your lens specs will give you the minimum focus distance.
As far as focusing using the timer, I always shoot on timer using single shot focusing. Pressing the shutter button half way sets the focus and then pushing the button the rest of the way, timer or no timer, the shot is taken. I don't know if AI Servo focusing will continue to focus when using the timer. Never tried it. Perhaps someone else knows.

GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA

LFingar wrote:

The 100-300 refers to focal length. It has nothing... (show quote)

How can I focus before I run to the front to be in the picture? I don't think it focuses me after the timer is done. I hope somebody knows.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

CathyPK wrote:

How can I focus before I run to the front to be in the picture? I don't think it focuses me after the timer is done. I hope somebody knows.

Try setting your auto-focus on AI Servo and see what happens. AI Servo will continuously focus right up until the moment the shot is taken. Don't know if it works with the timer. Try it. Make sure to use single center point focus for your test and be standing in the right spot. Otherwise it might end up focusing on the neighbor's dog peeing on your flowers!

GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA

I guess I'll have to read the manual for AI Servo, and single center point focus. Time to make dinner. It's 5:19 PM in Boston right now.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

CathyPK wrote:

How can I focus before I run to the front to be in the picture? I don't think it focuses me after the timer is done. I hope somebody knows.

I would recommend having someone operate the camera for you. Or, pre-focus on someone standing where you plan to be. Or, focus on something at the same distance and then set the self-timer. The camera does not refocus after the shutter is pressed for the self-timer.

GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks for the information. I believe that you are exactly correct. So now I know I wasted film today on this.

CHG_CANON wrote:

I would recommend having someone operate the camera for you. Or, pre-focus on someone standing where you plan to be. Or, focus on something at the same distance and then set the self-timer. The camera does not refocus after the shutter is pressed for the self-timer.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

CathyPK wrote:

Thanks for the information. I believe that you are exactly correct. So now I know I wasted film today on this.

Even though I read it I missed the part about film. Not a whole lot of people ask film questions any more. Forget what I said about AI Servo! As already stated pre-focusing or having someone else take the shot would be your best bet.

GalaxyCat Loc: Boston, MA

I'll have to focus on something the same distance away that I will stand, by half pressing the shutter button, and then move the camera to where I want to stand, and press it to start the timer, and run to the distance I chose.

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

I believe EOS film cameras had AI Servo.

leftj Loc: Texas

LFingar wrote:

Try setting your auto-focus on AI Servo and see what happens. AI Servo will continuously focus right up until the moment the shot is taken. Don't know if it works with the timer. Try it. Make sure to use single center point focus for your test and be standing in the right spot. Otherwise it might end up focusing on the neighbor's dog peeing on your flowers!

No AI Servo on a 620 film camera.

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

EOS 630 (1989) did.

idrabefi Loc: Michigan

Couple of items to consider:
1. Manual focus - set the lens to manual focus, put something in the frame where you'll move to once timer is set, and focus on that subject
2. Subject distance - maybe you noted, but I didn't see. What is your distance?
3. Depth of field - this will correlate to subject distance. At 100mm zoom, f5.6 (fastest for that lens), and 10 feet, you're DOF is too small to expect an acceptable focus ()if you're subject (you)
is moving. At 20 feet it opens up to just under 2.5 feet. If you're only 10 feet from camera, you may wish to use f11 where you're DOF will be just over 1 foot. If you're zooming to 300mm,
DOF will decrease.

harly82fxr

I liked that 630 it was a decent camera I thought