OntheRez wrote:
I remember noting that the 1DIV (and I presume the 1Dx) can have different selected points in either orientation. I'm trying to think thru what would be the best combination. I'm thinking in portrait maybe 2 clicks below center, but in landscape (which I don't shoot in very often) I'm not sure there is an advantage horizontally. Maybe a click below the horizontal line? Jay, how do you set yours up?
For what it's worth I shoot ONLY volleyball for sports. Weird, but it's my thing. I played semi professionally for about 13 years so knowing the game really is a big deal with volleyball.
I prefocus on the backrow player in the middle (especially in HS) as that is usually the girl that gets the most serves. What also helps is IF you can keep the OTHER eye open and see where the server is going with the ball and prefocus there. I, LIKE JAY, prefocus using a far left (or one focal point in from the end) in horizontal and in vertical position I GENERALLY use the one Focal Point above center as I want focus on the eyes NOT the middle of the body.
I also ALWAYS use AV mode. I shoot with a 1DIII until today (just got a 1Dx so testing it out on the beach tomorrow, but can't wait til January for indoor to test). With my 1DIII though I was pushing the limits at 2.8, ISO 6400 and usually at 1/400th. I do notice some motion blur of course, but you could easily go down to 1/500th and do ok for HS. Club volleyball maybe not, but with the 1DIV you should be good to go with ISO8000 2.8, 1/500th or so with a little post noise production. OR underexpose 1/3 and get the 1/640th and then bump it in post.
I DEF can't see shooting volleyball in RAW.. You would have too many files to PP and it would be insane.. I also agree that in TV mode the exposure would be all over the place. I would use M and then at least all the PP would be the same. I also use LR for mass editing of 1,000's of photos from volleyball events.
I DO NOT use AI Servo (cause my 1DIII was terrrible with it).
most AF systems, especially below 1 series type speed, (and many users such as often myself ) are too slow to jump focus around so you usually need to anticipate a least a bit and start pre-focusing where it seems perhaps the action might go next (although I think it can be harder to read than soccer or football, maybe not if you are a serious VB player though?) it may even be best to just focus on one player and simply wait until the actions comes to them
i think 45pts would be an utter, utter disaster for VB, although i've never tried it
Robert I just shoot center but maybe I need too. I'm in a wheelchair so I pretty much have to shoot from the side either behind the ref's ladder or next to the team seating. 99% of my shots are from the side but maybe next year I can try moving the AF point. The ball moves too fast at times to freeze it under these crummy lights. Here's a pic of some really bad lighting and it's so dark in this place but the 1DX handles 12800 with NO problem
Here's one shot RAW and no processing to it at all except resizing, needs curve adjustments. This place has 6 or 8 courts I think and the lighting is so bad. 1DX with 70-200 MKII
As I've used this example many times with persons I'm assisting getting better at sports shots....
Use Canons software, use the part of the program that SHOWS you your focus point....
IF....there is nothing at the point of focus as you desired..but on the background (as in your example)...then its pure bad technique.....no different that tracking birds in flight.
) are too slow to jump focus around so you usually need to anticipate a least a bit and start pre-focusing where it seems perhaps the action might go next (although I think it can be harder to read than soccer or football, maybe not if you are a serious VB player though?) it may even be best to just focus on one player and simply wait until the actions comes to them
