Photo · Motion · Bright light

Pets in motion

Lens Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Focal length 50–70mm
Mode S
Aperture f/2.8–4
Shutter 1/1000
ISO Auto
Autofocus AF-C, Wide, Animal recognition
Drive Continuous high
Stabilization VC on

The constraint is motion that will not hold still, so shutter speed leads. Switch to shutter priority at 1/1000 to freeze a running or leaping animal, and let the camera set aperture and Auto ISO handle the light. The Tamron’s reach to 70mm gives you working distance and a little background separation, while Animal recognition locks to the eye and Real-time Tracking follows it around the frame. Continuous-high drive gives you a burst to pick the peak moment from.

Watch out for trusting a single frame. Animals move faster than your reflexes, so shoot in bursts and expect to keep one frame in several. Give the AF something to grip — start tracking before the action, keep the pet in the frame, and pre-focus on where the leap will land rather than chasing it after it starts.