Canon 70d advice.

[powerslave]

Hello
Just bought a canon 70d,really like the camera but am having a few small problems with it.
I have a 10d from 12 years ago,so it's a bit of a step up.
I usually use aperture priority setting of 5.6,with AV Servo set,I haven't used it a great lot at the minute but am finding some of the shots are out of focus at the front of the subject with 3/4's in focus.
Last night I took a rushed shot of the steam train tornado in Preston station pulling into the platform,okay it was a rushed shot but half was in focus and the other half was blurred.
I use it with a 100-400 l lens and have had not much practice with it for a few years so maybe I need to get practice shooting again.
But there is a lot more focus options on the 70d and just wondered what settings others use?

Thanks
Ian

[powerslave]

Hello,thanks for that,yeah I use the 18-135 STM for trains usually.
The 100-400 is for aircraft
Would you say f5.6 is too wide for aircraft?
I noticed a few shots were slightly not has focused the other week at Warton on the front of Typhoons,while 3/4s was.

Ian

[powerslave]

Usually I was shooting at f5.6 at all lengths.
So say next week at Fairford from the viewing stands I should probably use a smaller aperture than 5.6.
But should I always try to leave the ISO at 100?
Would you say Ai Sevo is best for moving subjects?

Ian

[powerslave]

I've just kinda got bk into photography after being well into video after a few years.
I've found it's taken a bit of time to get bk into things again,especially going from a 10d to 70d.
Also the thing with the 70d it's does great video,so I'm always tempted to film stuff now rather than practice with the picture taking.
Ian

[alanp]

In my experience the 100-400 only really starts to give consistent results at F8.

[nellis6]

For 100-400 Canon the 'sweet spot' is at F8, so try that. I also never shoot at ISO 100 even if it's brilliant sunshine. Try using 125 or even 160 and you will probably get better results

[powerslave]

Thanks,just had a play with the 70d and my 100-400 at f8 in nice sunny weather,must admit the images look better even through a window.
Think one of the reasons i always had the 10d on f5.6 because i knew all the dust images would show up on the image if i had a smaller aperture.
I will try it at 125-160 for the iso has well.
Thanks
Ian

[Bloxham Boy]

Following on from this discussion, I note that there is only one white balance option ie auto - is that not restrictive in peoples experience ? Seems an odd choice on Canon's part for a camera at this level
John

[davem]

There are 9 WB modes - you need to take the camera off Auto mode to access the rest, eg Tv, AV, P, M or one of the others.

I've not used the camera but I found this snippet of info on a quick search.

[Andy_99]

Yes WB adjustments are available once you move away from the Auto settings.

Bump up the ISO a bit
Close down the aperture a bit
Set the Focus to AI Servo, although TBH a moving aircraft will normally be at the infinity end of the focussing scan.

I tend to set my ISO & select the Aperture (AV Mode) then let the camera figure the shutter speed for me. Unless of course you're shooting Prop planes/Helo's where you need to slow the shutter speed to get nice blur, in which case Tv mode set the shutter speed & let the camera do the Aperture.

Oh & finally shoot in RAW & use Photoshop etc.. to sort out exposure issues , colours etc...

Finally play, play & play some more with the settings, it's not as if you need to process the experimental shots nowdays.

Andy

Hope that helps a bit

[markranger]

I have a 70D,upgraded from a 550D.
Coupled with a 300L f4 is usm and I find my shots softer than on my 550d
No Idea why but it's bugging me.
My lates Flickr shots are with the 70D.
Mark.

[jonny99]

I have a 70D,upgraded from a 550D.
Coupled with a 300L f4 is usm and I find my shots softer than on my 550d
No Idea why but it's bugging me.
My lates Flickr shots are with the 70D.
Mark.

Have you checked the AF microadjustment? Plenty of info on internet, well worth checking

[markranger]

I have a 70D,upgraded from a 550D.
Coupled with a 300L f4 is usm and I find my shots softer than on my 550d
No Idea why but it's bugging me.
My lates Flickr shots are with the 70D.
Mark.

Have you checked the AF microadjustment? Plenty of info on internet, well worth checking

Yes have looked at it a little,but when I tried it it seemed worse.
Not sure if the 70d picks up more imperfections and is less forgiving than the 550.

[markranger]

The Anti - Aliasing filter in front of the sensor may be stronger in the 70D this just means applying a bit stronger sharpening, higher end cameras tend to have this i believe as they are more aimed at photographers who shoot in RAW and tend to do more PP work, i think the less expensive cameras that we sometime see refereed to as PAS Digi Cams are more geared towards shooting in Jpeg so possibly needing less work and sharper but with less scope strait out the camera.

C.

funny you say that,As my last trip put I went to RAW because I have read the same.

Mark.

[powerslave]

Would be interested to here peoples advice on using the 70d for videos and what settings are used.
Usually when i have used the video i have just gone over to Live view and recorded whatever mode i was taking photos in,usually AV.
I have noticed a few times in movies a slight hunting/refocussing issue,I can't hear it doing this because i have the stm lens fitted,but it is noticable on viewing.
Would like to hear from others who have used the 70d for filming and what settings,ie focus modes are used.

Ian