Sports shots help needed - DPChallenge Forums

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

03/27/2005 10:28:33 AM · #1

Here are some tennis examples. They were taken with the kit lens and a circular polarizing filter at the sports setting on a Digital Rebel. Some of them are grainy looking and some are too bright. I'm looking for suggestions. Do I need to use other camera settings. Do I need to save up for a better lens for action shots? (If so, what?) Please let me know what I can do to improve sports shots. Thanks!!!

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

03/27/2005 10:49:57 AM · #2

The lighting in these shots is challenging to say the least. Some of your subjects are backlit or sidelit, and the very high contrast is really a problem.
On some of these, the focus seems to have missed slightly, and a little higher shutter speed night not have hurt in a few places... you certainly had enough light.
Not sure the polarizer was doing a lot here, but could be wrong. Was there glare off the court surface? The slow lens combined with the polarizer (approx. 1.5 stos light loss) will mean limited shutter speeds or increased ISO. The graininess you're seeing may be a result of the camera going to higher ISO to keep the shutter speed up, and is emphasized when you look at the detail in the shadow areas.
Rather than shoot in sports mode, decide what you want to achieve. Do you want a specific aperture... do you want to maximize DoF or minimize it to isolate the subject? Is a specific shutter speed what you want, e.g. 1/250 to retain some motion in the ball and racket while freezing the player's general body motion? Once you know this, then work with your settings to achieve it.
There isn't much to be done about that lighting, except to shoot with the sun at your back (or nearly so). When tht's not possible, fill flash may work, but with these large subject distances, you'll ned a powerful flash.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/27/2005 11:06:40 AM · #3

Originally posted by kirbic:

Kirbic, thanks for your help. Yes, there was a lot of glare off the courts where I took the shots of the women. The other shots were out in the desert and it was better later in the day.
I'll start experimenting with other settings.

ace flyman

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/27/2005 11:20:44 AM · #4

Havent shot tennis, lots of softball. A good start would be in Av mode, I like a blurred background, so I shoot at f2.8. With the Rebel dont go be on 400 iso, or you might need to clean up the noise. With this type of action, to stop it, you need min. 500 shutter speed. I dont shoot in raw with sports, use jpeg, recording time is slow. Try to get the sun behind you. I do beleive you'll need something better than the kit lens. Most (not all) good sport shots are tightly cropped on the action. I find using a monopad helps get good sharp shots......ace

ericsuth

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/27/2005 11:34:53 AM · #5

This one was shot at ISO 400, shutter: 1/1600, Ap: 3.5, focal length: 93mm

Now I was using the 70-200/2.8L but I believe you could approach similiar results with the kit lens, I'm just not sure how "close" you really want to be to some of these speeding balls :)

03/27/2005 11:36:29 AM · #6

Originally posted by ace flyman:

Thanks Ace. That's very helpful. I can't wait to try some more shots. Any lens suggestions?

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/27/2005 11:42:23 AM · #7

Originally posted by ericsuth:

Ace and kirbic have given you some good advice the only thing I might add is try and shoot a test shot in P,Av, or even Sports setting and after reviewing go to Manual and adjust it as needed. Use the camera's metering system to help you then set your own settings after you learn it's weaknesses.
For example:

This one was shot at ISO 400, shutter: 1/1600, Ap: 3.5, focal length: 93mm

Now I was using the 70-200/2.8L but I believe you could approach similiar results with the kit lens, I'm just not sure how "close" you really want to be to some of these speeding balls :)

Thanks ericsuth. That picture is great. It looks so sharp.

ace flyman

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/27/2005 12:00:34 PM · #8

ericsuth: I do that also. In Av mode the shutter speed can be tricked by glare or white helmet/uniforms. (Love baseball also, nice shot)
The age old question on the right lens;; 1st thing would be budget. I use a sigma 70-200mm f2.8, (dropping the 2x converter, soft/slow). This lens is around $600-$700. I've seen post on other brands that seem to do well that cost less. My next sports lens will been either canon 300mm zoom or 400mm prime. Its just me, but I'd only buy fast lens. Out doors f2.8, Basketball/indoors: 85mm f1.8/ 50mm f1.4. The reason I dont have a new lens is budget, I'm in love with L series canon lens $$$$$$$$$$$.
With that said, even with all the top end stuff. Sports are some times real tough to shoot, no replays......this thread is giving some real good advice.....................Good Luck.....ace

virtuamike

Nikon D2X

Carl Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 Distagon T

03/27/2005 02:41:23 PM · #9

I haven't shot tennis but I have shot softball. Since the action is fast, get as much light as possible in order to maintain shutter speed (1/500 minimum). I know you're outdoors in the daytime but if you notice your shutter dropping then take off the polarizer. Tennis is a sport you can crop very tight. The court itself doesn't make for a very interesting background so isolate as much as possible.

As far as mode goes, take a couple shots to test with and once you find an exposure you're happy with, switch to manual. For focusing, you have the advantage of seeing where the ball is going (and consequently, where the players are going). Use that to your advantage and prefocus (either AF on the ground if you have enough contrast or MF if you don't) and shoot as the player comes into frame.

RAW vs JPEG, it really depends on your shooting style. If you only burst 3-4 shots then your buffer will be ok. If you burst more then switch to JPEG.

And lastly, sacrifice ISO in order to maintain shutter speed. If you're really worried about noise, clean it up in post processing. Personally I think grain and action work ok together.

180mm f/2.8 1/320 ISO1600

Message edited by author 2005-03-27 14:42:05.