Nico Delmeire

Sports photography: how many focus points do you use?

Thursday 22 September 2022, 20:10 by | 4,827 views | 3 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

The number of available focus points varies from camera to camera. Most cameras offer several ways to use the focus points while taking photos.

How many focus points do you use?

f/3.5, 1/1,000s, 2,500 ISO @ 400mm

Personally, I find it most comfortable to work with a single focus point in the centre of the frame. This means I decide myself what I focus on. The camera does not think for me, because that can often go wrong at the last moment.

By choosing a point in the centre, I know for certain that the focus will be exactly where I want it. The central focus point is also often the most sensitive, so you can still focus well in lower light.

What is your favourite way to focus for sports photography?

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3 comments

  1. Cees
    Cees wrote on Tuesday 27 September 2022 at 12:11  | reply

    I myself always use the center focus point for my tennis photos as well, however, when you follow the player I do sometimes lose that center point. After the photo has been taken, an illuminated center point indicates where the focusing took place. If this focus point would also light up at the moment you take the photo, it would save a lot of blurry photos. But it remains a challenge.

    Translated from Dutch.
  2. Hans van Vreeswijk
    Hans van Vreeswijk wrote on Tuesday 27 September 2022 at 13:35  | reply

    I too always use the middle focus point, with the addition in recent months of the so-called Backbutton Focus.
    Ideal if the activity you want to photograph takes place at approximately the same distance.If the subject moves a lot, then hold the
    backbutton button with your thumb and, as usual, press the shutter with your index finger. Takes some getting used to but works fine! (There are many instructional videos to be found on YouTube)

    Translated from Dutch.
  3. Jos
    Jos wrote on Tuesday 27 September 2022 at 14:00  | reply

    I mostly photograph football and also work with the spot [spot]. Aperture at 2.8 or 4. I can also program the spot button for narrow, medium or wide. With a wide aperture [klein getal] you also get a beautiful depth of field, so-called Bokeh.

    Translated from Dutch.

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