Focussing on the Fuji XT-2 with the 55-200mm lens

[JayneO]

Could anyone offer me some advice please. I use the X-T2 which I adore, with the 55-200mm lens. Mainly I'm a landscapist but one of my regular jobs is for some horse racing photography, some of which is in low-early morning light. I have been playing with focussing points but I'm having some issues with for instance a horses head (which is moving) keeping in focus even when i use the single point auto focus, or zone. In some cases the camera seems to lock on to the rider rather than the horse, even when I move focus points onto the horses face and I'm getting the in-focus 'bleep'. I'm shooting at the open end of the 55-200 usually at 200. I use continuous focus tracking on the front switch, option 2 in the focus tracking menu, and I'm still not hitting focus every time. Please could someone offer some help? I previously used full frame Nikon and the 70-200 which was a much faster lens, but I'm sure I should be getting more success rate with the Fuji than I am. I guess what I'm looking for are some fool proof settings that I can use as standard for this kind of photography. Any info gratefully received, thank you!

Edited January 20, 2021 by JayneO
typo

[TokyoInPics]

Hello JayneO!  Could I ask what your hit rate is?  If you took 100 pictures, how many would be in focus?  I use this lens a lot for sports photography, but never attain 100%.  One problem with this lens, is that it isn't the fastest and I have had problems with focus in low-light.  I'm thinking if you are shooting in the early morning, light might not be so good at times?

[JayneO]

Thanks @TokyoInPicsso the hit rate in focus isn't very high in low light. I've done a bit of research and have now set the camera to back button focus, could this be helpful? Yes, a lot of low morning light...

[TokyoInPics]

5 hours ago, JayneO said:

Thanks @TokyoInPicsso the hit rate in focus isn't very high in low light. I've done a bit of research and have now set the camera to back button focus, could this be helpful? Yes, a lot of low morning light...

I think you'll be on to something with back button focus.  By the way, I'm so jealous of you!!  You photograph horses!!!  That is something I haven't done yet and would give my left arm for the chance lol.  Animal photograph is the best

[JayneO]

Quote

Hi thanks for that, I'm guessing you've seen my website then! Much appreciated  May I ask what settings you use in terms of focus areas/zones etc for your sports photography?

 

 

[TokyoInPics]

Yes, I looked at your site and it is fantastic.  You have some seriously good pictures on it!

For sports photography, I use single point, back button focus.  ISO I leave on automatic but don't let it go over 3200.

[JayneO]

Thanks so much! Really helpful and reassuring that I'm on the right track

[TokyoInPics]

I hope to do some horse photography soon Jayne, so probably ask you some questions if that is okay.

[jerryy]

For what it is worth, there is a person that goes by the name of Morris that has some approaches for birds in flight using long lenses on a X-T3 that may be of some help:

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1594539/0

He is using a three box zone focus with center switching on continuous mode ... there are several pages in that thread with lots of discussion.