Need some help shooting Basketball

[coreymcl]

OK, I need some help from experts. I shot my first basketball game tonight. I was using a Canon 20D with a 85mm f/1.8 Canon lens in manual mode. Although my shots where in focus while I took the shots they are very blury.

More information I shot in RAW. The gym readings were f/2.8 for the most part. In case I am not saying this right when I look at what the camera set in auto mode f/2.8 was about the average. Also I set the focus on the center point.

What I would like to achive is very clear action shots. Not that I'm trying to achive DOV or anything fancy.

Here is a sample image

[brad]

Looks like you needed a faster shutter speed... forget auto modes, you'll want to set an ISO around 800, and set it in Av mode with an f/2.8 (maybe smaller).. and hope for a shutter of 1/250 or faster. Anything less than 1/180 or 1/125 is probably not worth shooting unless motion blur is what you are after.

[coreymcl]

Can somebody give me an idea of what the setting should be?

[evil4blue]

Corey,

Just as a trial run, set your camera to ISO 800, like Brad suggested, flip the cam into Shutter priority and set your shutter at >=1/250. Now let you camera do the rest of the work, review and adjust until your comfy with the settings. Then you can run full manual from there on.

[coreymcl]

Well I will have a chance to test this on Wed night at pratice. So hopefully I can get what I need as for settings then. I think I am going to bring my Powerbook and upload them there and see how it looks. That way I can make a change and see it right away. If something does not work then I know to undo what I just did.

Thanks for the help guys!

[evil4blue]

You maybe wondering why we're suggesting you shoot in manual. It should increase your camera's response time since it doesn't have to determine your exposure. Response time is paramount in sports photography...as your finding out. Good luck, and lets see some samples when you're comfortable with your results.

[Kar]

Originally Posted by evil4blue

Corey,

Just as a trial run, set your camera to ISO 800, like Brad suggested, flip the cam into Shutter priority and set your shutter at >=1/250. Now let you camera do the rest of the work, review and adjust until your comfy with the settings. Then you can run full manual from there on.

That is ther best way because you will see if you can use a little higher F stop like 3.5 and probably no more. The lower the f-Stop also gives less depth.

I've actually used both depending if I am focusing on a player or group for the publication.

[jhom]

The key to sports action shooting is high shutter speed. The recommended minimum is 400. Also, short DOF helps in focussing on a given player or action. So f2.8 or wider is great. With the 85 and 20d, you can shoot without a flash provided you jack up the ISO. Most non-pro gyms have poor lighting. Don't sacrifice speed for light. To achieve this, you might try shutter priority, then try aperature priority, and ultimately manual. Probably the best spot to shoot from behind the baseline kneeling down or sitting and shooting up. I love shooting from the right or left of the paint, at the 3 point line intersection with the baseline, or from the corner. Shoot tight. Enjoy.

[zeroendless]

I use av mode most the time to control DOF and shutter never been my favorite...
1) av mode and dial to 1.8(don't be shy, this len is good at wide open)
2) Check the available lighting.....try iso 400 first, AI servo for AF and pan around your target see what shutter speed the camera report before shooting. Try to stay at 1/500 and above for cysrtal action shots. If you don't see the speed you like, kick it up to iso 800....then 1600 if needed.

why don't you tell us the exif of that pic, i think we could figure out what's settings

[coreymcl]

OK based on the feedback I took some test shots at pratice tonight and it worked! This forum is so great. Thanks to everybody who posted replys to my newbe question. I can't believe it was so easy.

Now I have to wait until Monday November 29th to shoot a game. Again THANKS everybody!

[evil4blue]

Good to hear Cory, can't wait to see your son pulling a couple MJ moves on the other kids.