I'm trying to learn to shoot pets running towards me.... got frustrated because i can't focus. Dog is running directly towards me fast. Any sifu can share techniques?

Should i stay on shutter priority? Admitedly i was using "One Shot" focus though. Someone said should use AI Focus or AI Servo but i'm not sure what the difference is.

my suggestion, dun kill me if it doesn't work... put on AI Servo... ISO 400/800... if using kit lens.. normally f5.6 while speed u put to max say 1/40 or 1/50 loe... half press the shutter and follow ur pet... remember to on continuous shooting... sure 1 will kena one...

Set you focusing point to continues focus.

In continues focus mode, when u half depress on the shoot button, it will focus on the moving subject and focus is at it more.

You can only use this mode when the subject is moving within your frame (inside the focusing box) and make sure you are in a well light area so focusing by the lens will not be a problem unless you have a very wide aperture lens.

To add in, you need good panning skill for moving left to right or up to down in a level when shooting fast movement.

Overall good practice is a must :D

Example of my shot for panning + continues focus in a rainy day shots (As you can see my focusing point is at the car bonnet)
May 18, 2008
1600×1068 pixels – 146KB
Filename: IMG_4277.JPG
Camera: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/30 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Focal Length: 96mm
Flash Used: No
Latitude: n/a
Longitude: n/a


May 18, 2008
1600×1068 pixels – 187KB
Filename: IMG_4256.JPG
Camera: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
ISO: 100
Exposure: 1/15 sec
Aperture: 5.0
Focal Length: 51mm
Flash Used: No
Latitude: n/a
Longitude: n/a

hmm maybe should change the title to "Shooting moving subjects with Canon cameras"

nonit mah.. just follow the setting on any camera (for those cannot set one, sorry loe), and keep practising... u'll get it....

Bro... I'm a NIKON user how,..... the dark side of the force is strong!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

those are the example picture I took when using canon :D

Point left out is, when you shooting moving object; SET YOUR SHOOTING MODE TO BURST MODE/CONTINUOS SHOOTING!!!!! Out of 10 picture you take, 2 to 3 sure will in focus :D and appealing

thx for the tips.. i will try it out. i think based on medowance Nikon terminology when he said "continuous focus" in Canon got 3 types of focus right

One Shot - AI Focus - AI Servo

I'm assumign the 3rd one is continuous focus? Canon sifus?

Canon will be AI Servo (If you have read the manual when you 1st got your toy, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about... hehehehehe camera can be more poisonous than modding your car :D).

hahaha RTFM i know buat i sudah buang i think... lol same goes for my lancer FM. never read soli

No need sorry coz.... hahahahaha I'm same as you that why I dare say in front of you for things I also did not do.. hahahahahaha

But lastly, I really need to read thru the manual so I can understand more of the function. You read as you play with the camera so you get more better understanding than just reading the manual :D

u all can try techniques known as PANNING hehehe.. me also still learning this.. somtimes its not Panning.. but endup with pening hahhaa..

how about "S" mode, Shutter Priority Mode.. set higher shutter speed to stop motion..

my way of doing panning : set medium shutter speed, follow thru slightly after shutter


true... high shutter speed can stop motion, but it is limited by aperture value, light condition, iso and etc...

in this case it's not actually panning because the subject is coming straight towards you. i think panning is another topic to discuss separately le. i can get the shutter speed ok, just that focussing was the problem but will be testing it out this weekend.

sometimes blur background makes ur object visibly stand out more....
as in subject running towards u, I'm not sure how... probably something to do with depth of field setting (i.e aperture value)

Yup, when I look at some pics in car mags, I'm amazed how sharp the image of the featured car is when the rest (background) looks very blurred (motion blurred).

This isn't limited to static pics... take a look at the GIF in madsurgeon's signature... macam video but the focus is sharp on the GTR and X while the background is motion-blurry...

oi old fart, that video clip is CGI la...

yes.. the video is CGI.. and most of the pics in the magazine normally edited picture..

Ya ka, sorry la, I'm d*mn stupid about all these stuff wan la, hehe :)

i took this last year during Reuters Go-Kart Comp in Shah Alam.
and that is my former boss. she is a racer and an overall winner that day