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09/13/2006 10:49:52 PM · #1 |
I have a brand spanking new Canon Digital Rebel XT and am taking pictures for our local high school football team. The games are under the stadium lights at night. The pictures are turning out well for the most part, but every now and then I get some blurriness.
Does anyone have suggestions on the best mode and settings?
Here's what I've been trying: P mode (where the camera sets everything) using ISO 1600 and AI Servo focusing. The camera has been automatically choosing a shutter speed ranging from 1/80 - 1/125 and an aperture from 4 to 5. I am using a Quantary zoom lens (70-300).
Here's an example of an OK pic:
//www.middletownmdfootball.com/images/2006_TJ/TJ%20073.jpg
And here's one not OK:
//www.middletownmdfootball.com/images/2006_TJ/TJ%20070.jpg
Both are 1/100, F/4, ISO 1600.
In poking around, it seems I might have a depth of field issue as the person I've focused on is usually ok, but those behind and around are often not in focus. So I'm thinking perhaps I should try AV mode, and set the aperture higher. But I'm not sure.
Needless to say, I am new to this.
Thanks,
Scott |
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09/13/2006 11:04:15 PM · #2 |
| Night sports photography requires an extremely fast lens. |
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09/13/2006 11:07:02 PM · #3 |
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09/13/2006 11:09:34 PM · #4 |
| Are you using a monopod/tripod? The shutter speed may be tough to handhold and get a sharp image. |
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09/13/2006 11:34:01 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by sjnatwork:
The camera has been automatically choosing a shutter speed ranging from 1/80 - 1/125 and an aperture from 4 to 5. I am using a Quantary zoom lens (70-300). |
The shutter speeds you stated are considered "slow" especially for moving subjects such as sports. You may need faster lens if you are going to be shooting many low-light sports in the future. Tripods and image-stabilizing only works for handshakes - but they wont help on your blur/moving subjects, such as sportsmen. |
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09/14/2006 12:03:22 AM · #6 |
I have been shooting high school football for the newspaper, I shoot in manual mode 800ISO 1/320 to 1/400 shutter speed and f2.8. Flash is a 580EX in ETTL mode with high speed sync. Here are some examples from opening night. BTW also my first time to shoot football.
Football shots
Foggy night and yes most high school fields are poorly lit and are tough to shoot at.
MattO
Edit to add week 2 Football shots II
Message edited by author 2006-09-14 00:04:20.
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09/14/2006 12:16:00 AM · #7 |
| It always helps me to remember that my shutter speed has to be at least EQUAL to the focal length I'm shooting at, i.e., if I am zoomed in at 300 mm, I need a shutter speed of AT LEAST 1/300 of a sec. (preferably faster to really stop the motion). A faster lens for low light is also very helpful, as you will get more noise with higher ISO settings. |
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09/14/2006 12:24:28 AM · #8 |
| I shoot high school foot ball for our school .. at night with only the lights (no flash) I set my ISO at 800 shutter is 1/100 - 1/125 and I use my 75-300mm IS lens (IS turned off) .. I get just a tad of motion blur (acceptable) and great shots without a ton of noise. Yes I have to work on my shots just a bit (adjust levels and color balance) but the school is more than pleased with the end results. Good luck!!! |
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09/14/2006 12:25:23 PM · #9 |
Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm looking forward to trying them out tomorrow night!
Scott |
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