need focusing help with my new R8

[b_vanwey]

I recently purchased a new R8.  I have been practicing action shots with my dog playing frisbee.  I have subject detection set to animals - eye detection on- AF on servo- expanded AF area:around - I was using a shutter speed of 1/1000.  Using a Canon EF 100-400 USM on a Canon EOS to R adapter.

I am using BBF, locking on to the eye to begin with and trying to track the dog as she goes for the frisbee.  When I review the shots, I have my focus points turned on and it shows focus all over the place.  Sometimes it stays with the dog and sometimes it shows the focus elsewhere - but the area inside the red box is not actually in focus at all. I deleted those already.  My son says that the focus is where the dog was at, a moment before the shot was taken.  Very few of my shots are usable, and the best ones are not really what I would call sharp. She is pretty speedy, but  would have thought My shutter speed would have been sufficient to stop action.  This one is usable, but my focus point showed it was on her tail, not her face.  Sometimes the focus points showed in the grass or the trees. Can you tell me what I am missing?
this one is usable but the focus point was her tail

[iCollector]

Well,I ditched BBF simply because I can rely on the R5 to do what I want focus wise. I may try it again after a spell - if I find I am not getting good shots…. It didn’t fail me tracking my Aussie playing with her herding ball…

If that is what you want to stick with, 👍🏼. As to this pic…. Try for a higher shutter speed… see if that makes a difference. If you can bump up the ISO, you may even be able to stop down a bit for some depth of field…. Good luck!

[b_vanwey]

I will try a faster shutter speed and see if that helps.  Probably stop down as well.  I was trying to isolate her a bit from the background, but I guess I better nail the focus first.

[Tronhard]

I use BBF but with servo focus turned on. That allows the camera, once focused to track the subject as it moves - did you have that enabled?

To help you along, I suggest checking out this video: 
Master Back-Button Focus | How to Back-Button Focus on your Canon Camera (youtube.com)

[b_vanwey]

Yes, Servo enabled.

"I have subject detection set to animals - eye detection on- AF on servo- expanded AF area:around - I was using a shutter speed of 1/1000. "

[p4pictures]

Which AF Case do you have selected on the second page of the AF menus? If it's set to AUTO, then I suggest giving Case 4 a try as this is more reactive to random movement and for subjects that accelerate and decelerate quickly. 

Secondly I would also suggest switching to one of the flexible zone AF areas, possibly the square one as this looks at a slightly larger initial area to locate the subject. I find I get better results on fast action with this than the AF point with expansion surround. 

I would also consider going for a faster shutter speed just to rule out any question of motion blur being confused with focus errors.

Here's one of my shots of a friends jack russell - bichon friese cross, he's small and fast.

1/3200th, f/2, ISO 250 - EF 135mm f/2L lens on mount adapter

[b_vanwey · Accepted solution]

I will try a faster shutter speed- I see on your pic that you have it at 1/3200th, and I was using 1/1000th.  I had my AF area set to the 4th choice - Expand AF area:Around (the one with the square surrounded by boxes).  I didn't get to try again this afternoon- the wind got strong, and I have to be reasonably sure where the frisbee is going in order to have time to throw and then take the pic.  Another thing I got to thinking about is that since this mirrorless is smaller than my DSLR, and I have big hands, maybe when I depress the shutter I am slightly releasing the BBF as I take the pic.  I am going to try to depress it with the side of my thumb rather than the tip, and see if the focus points look better.

[iCollector]

All AF/face tracking…

As just a suggestion why not go back to the ‘stock’ meter/focus shutter button. Set the AF to the face tracking, eye detect if you want, and have animals selected on the AF menu tab that has it.

[b_vanwey]

I have used BBF for years with my other cameras, and it is ingrained in me.  I did have it on tracking animals, eye detect.  I had the AF case on Auto, but have changed it now to case 4 to be more responsive to things that quickly change direction.

Your dog is beautiful.

[iCollector]

Thanks! Hope you get the issue sorted…. I tried the BBF, but maybe I just did not run into any situation  yet that really bopped me on the head to make me regret not having the R5 set that way….