Forget the 5DII auto focus system, I'm switching to Nikon's D700

Just kidding, here are some samples of the 5D2 performing AF lock on and AF tracking to some pretty high standards. I wasn't even able to start tracking these moving objects until they had already left the ground due to a chain link fence and my shooting position. Minus the stark white sky which is unavoidable on an overcast day I'd say job well done.





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Whoops it cut them all off except for the first one but everybody should
be able to see the camera's above average focus and tracking ability. Lags not really
a issue if you press the button at the right time. Lens used 70-200mm non IS 2.8


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SPECTACULAR shots, freelanceshots!!!

Very Very nice. Anymore to show.


Wally

Looks pretty damn good to me!!! You had me worried fora moment there... [:S]

I thought I'd slip that title in there for fun and catch some attention. I could never switch to Nikon unless they started giving away their cameras. [:D]

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Originally Posted by freelanceshots

I thought I'd slip that title in there for fun and catch some attention.

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Haha nice! Good photos man! I like them a lot. Can I ask you what settings you used? Centerpoint focus only or multi? AF point expansion? I'm interested especially in the last one, since I just found out it existed and I don't know what to do with it [:P]


Jan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by freelanceshots

Lags not really
a issue if you press the button at the right time.

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Hmmm I think different. Perhaps not with these side-shots (also don't know what aperture you used, you could have been using f16 [:P]), but the 40D/70-200f2.8 combo was definitely a bigger successor than the 5D2/70-200f2.8 when shooting dirt-bikes sprinting/jumping in a straight line towards you. At least that's what I found out at a cross-festival at eastern-weekend.


Jan

I could be wrong, but it seems most people state thathorizontalmovement isn't the problem, it is more of something coming towards the camera.

But regardless, great shots, you should try selling them... the white background could be useful for web/promo work!

I was not really trying to spend a large amount of time or effort in capture these images as I was not being paid to do so. I captured them all from outside of the event as I had 20 bucks on me where they where charging 10 or 12 to get in. My motorcycle was on empty and I had to eat some lunch so these angles/photographic positions where the ones that I had.





Most of the shots where captured with Manual exposure, 1/2000 shutter speed, B&W polarizer filter used, AV 3.2, ISO 800, 70-200 non IS at approx 120mm. Moved it to center focus as I tried all the points selected where it did not give me the best results.





I had my 40D with me but swapped it out for the 5DII as the image quality with color, contrast and noise was better in my opinion with the 5D. As far as tracking any subjects coming or going whether its coming directly at me or passing in front of me I would feel confident that I could capture it with a 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D or a 5DII with the less then high tech focus systems.





Images can be seen at my Flickr account where there are a few more images to look at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/freelanceshots

You had me going on the D700. :)





Inspiring images. Maybe I'll keep my 5DII a little longer...



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Originally Posted by freelanceshots

so these angles/photographic positions where the ones that I had.

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Still very nice photos! I know you probably hate the white background, but you've got the positive side of the stuntman. Last year nearly all my motorcross photos on 1 day where like this, but it was a cross, not a stunt, so they look very lame [:P]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by freelanceshots

1/2000 shutter speed, B&amp;W polarizer filter used, AV 3.2, ISO 800, 70-200 non IS at approx 120mm

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Good that you switched to the 5D2 [Y] And yes the colors, contrast and noisecontrol are a LOT better than the 40Ds. Also the clothes they wear makes it a lot better, love all the colors and contrasty clothes they have on!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by freelanceshots

As far as tracking any subjects coming or going whether its coming directly at me or passing in front of me I would feel confident that I could capture it with a 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 5D or a 5DII with the less then high tech focus systems.

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Me too, although I noticed a fair amount of backfocussing due to the speed of the motorcycles coming directly at me and the shutterlag. 40D was definitely better for me in that situation.


Other photos are great as well! Man those guys make some sick tricks!


Thanks a lot for answering my questions so thoroughly[Y]


Jan

I have to say now that I'm looking through the other memory card that belonged to the 40D where I shot my first images I would say they came out pretty good too. That camera still bangs out the pictures. Shooting with the same lens and same filter it captured the sky differently. The pictures were slightly more sharper then the 5DII but since the 5DII images are so much bigger with more resolution they appear to be as sharp maybe a little less give or take.


70-200mm no IS, TV 1/1600, AV 3.2, ISO 100, 90mm focal length


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