Shooting dogs question

Snowgirl

OK, now that I've got the attention of animal rights folks...

I've been asked (at the last minute) to shoot an agility dog trial this week-end. I've done it before just for fun; but now we're serious. Any suggestions on how to get the best, crisp shots?

the area where I've had problems before is in the weave poles. I've NEVER been able to catch an image when the dog is wound around a couple of poles so the viewer can see what is going on.

Equipment: Canon 40D and a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS lens (I have others but I normally use this for my horse show sets so I'm thinking it will work here as well).

Suggestions? (Oh - and I'll be at the rail outside the competition area):help

Zerodog

You got the tools for it. I would have said 70-200. Maybe something like f4 to get some DOF. Then use your fastest continuous shooting and luck should get it done. Pre focus on the poles that you are going for. Then when the dog is close shoot away.

Snowgirl

Zerodog wrote: »

You got the tools for it. I would have said 70-200. Maybe something like f4 to get some DOF. Then use your fastest continuous shooting and luck should get it done. Pre focus on the poles that you are going for. Then when the dog is close shoot away.

Sounds like a good plan. I've shot horses doing pole bending (same principle) but they don't weave as quickly as the dogs. When I tried before I ended up with the poles in focus and not the dogs. Any suggestions? Maybe I should use manual focus instead of auto?