Case 4 Focusing on a subject that is moving with intensity from side to side
Recommended settings
- Focus ModeAF-C
- Focus AreaZone or Expanded Flexible Spot
- AF Track Duration1 to 2
- AF drive speedFast
- Smile/Face DetectionOff
- Priority setupBalanced Emphasis
- AF Range ControlAs needed
In order to continue tracking a subject that moves with intensity from side to side, select a low AF Track Duration setting, such as 1 or 2. AF stays steadfastly on the subject, even when framing a shot takes extra time. When shooting a tennis scene, for example, setting Focus Area to Zone or Expanded Flexible Spot is recommended. Depending on your compositional intention, Center or Flexible Spot may also work. Then, try to focus on the face or the body. Otherwise, selecting Wide may result in the camera focusing on the racket or arms.
Shooting tips
Instead of shooting simultaneously along with the focusing action, be sure to see the green frame that indicates accurate focusing, and keep tracking the subject before taking the shot. This way, the AF keeps tracking your subject even when another player or a net gets between you and your subject.
Swimming is another case in which the low setting for AF Track Duration is recommended. When shooting a swimmer, selecting a high AF Track Duration setting could result in focus switching from the swimmer to the background if the composition is unchanged and the swimmer goes underwater. Also, setting Focus Area to Expanded Flexible Spot, which features a narrow area of focus and great capability to focus accurately on a subject, is effective.
Similar settings can be used for scenes/subjects such as:
Gymnastics / Table tennis / Dance