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10/22/2005 09:18:03 AM · #1 |
Hello all,
Last evening I went to my daughters first gym meet. We weren't allowed to use a flash, so many of my shots were either blurry or dark. I probably should have brought the tripod. Can you give me some pointers on shooting action in low light. I have a Canon 20D for reference. Should I be in Manual mode, jack up the ISO, and make the aperature real wide?
thanks,
brent |
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10/22/2005 09:24:34 AM · #2 |
This is actually one application where a tripod will just keep you from getting better shots. I assume that your talking about photographing the gymnastics? The tripod might allow you to get the proper exposure, but the shutter speeds will probably be too slow to stop the action. Not to mention its somewhat difficult to follow action using a tripod. I would suggest using a monopod to lessen camera shake while being able to follow the action. Then crank up your ISO (I hear the D20 is quite good in this application) and use your fastest lens.
edit for typos.
Message edited by author 2005-10-22 09:25:16. |
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10/22/2005 09:34:09 AM · #3 |
I do a lot of artistic skating photos which are indoors and under really bad lighting. Plus being championships you can't use a flash at all because the girls will go blind and fall over! hehehe
I tend to shoot at about 1/200th hand held. A tripod will just get in the way. ISO 800 and my fastest lens is 2.8 (A canon EF135mm and a Tamron 17-85mm). I use manual focus because they move too fast and the lighting is too dim to auto focus. But, always remember that some of the more dramatic photos are before they start and when they end their routines. I also shoot in RAW so I can up the exposure a bit because they are usually a little dark. Exposure inthe camera I have boosted to 2+. Here are some examples. I hope this helps!
  
EDIT: Also, I use a grey card to set my white balance before shooting. The rinks use large halogen style lights which are really ugly to work under!
Message edited by author 2005-10-22 09:36:31. |
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10/22/2005 09:41:31 AM · #4 |
Thankfully I will have many of chances to perfect this. It's much easier taking shots of my boy playing t-ball outside in the sun. I will look into purchasing a monopod for stabilization. Oh, how do I tell a fast lens from a slow one? I have a Tamron AF Aspherical 28-300 3.5-6.3 macro.
Thanks for the comments. |
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10/22/2005 10:04:37 AM · #5 |
I shot basketball in college and could not use a flash. Here is what worked for me...push ISO to 800, set shutter at 1/250 and let aperture fall where it may. If shutter speed is much below 1/125 the movement of athlestes will be blurred. If it drops below the 1/lens focal lenth then you run the risk of camera shake causing everything to be blurred, or just out of focus slightly.
The best lens for this is one with the widest aperture possible (smallest number). The Canon 50mm 1.8 is only $75 and will work, although you have to be on the sidelines.
If you plan on staying far back, like in the stands, then get your wallet out - a 70-200 2.8 lens from tokins (the least excpensive alternative) is about $600. Canon has their 70-200 f4L lens for about that price as well.
For only twice that, you can get this lens and be ready for anything.
Your lens when zoomed to 200 or mm probably has a max ap of 4.5 or more. A 50 1.8 lens would be 2 1/2 stops faster, a huge difference.
Message edited by author 2005-10-22 10:05:55. |
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