ksgcslater

I was trying to get some pictures of my son playing basketball and I'm really having trouble with getting clear sharp shots. I've got a
Canon 7D with a 70-200mm f/2.8L ISII lens on a monopod. This picture was shot at 130mm. f2.8, 1/200s at iso3200. I've played around with the settings quite a bit and determined this gave me the best exposure. It's on autofocus AI servo AF mode with a center zone AF. It's still not that sharp. Will a spot focus be better or should I be doing something else? The lighting is pretty crappy so I had to up the iso to get a decent shutter speed.

RTR Loc: West Central Alabama

I wish I had the answer. But the shot looks great to me. The lack of razor sharp focus implies motion.

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

3 things I can think of ....
Maybe a tripod instead of the monopod ... just in case it moved a tiny bit
Cable shutter release to prevent movement
Or have you tried moving the diopter adjustment control to set it for your eyesight ? It's a little dial right next to the viewfinder ... turning that brings things into or out of focus just a tiny bit

I ran a high pass filter on this photo and it didn't improve over what you shot ... that's why I ask about the diopter.

77firebird Loc: Van Buren Ar.

Spot focus will work a lot better but you need to get the shutter speed up to at least 400

I shoot in manual set shutter to 400 f2.8 and then adjust iso 3200 I have included a sample. This gym dose have very poor lighting, all from the sides and no overhead light

sample shot

ksgcslater

I don't think changing the diopter would really help because I'm not manually focusing. I'd use a tripod but I'm sitting in the bleachers and it's hard to move the camera around from one side of the court to the other. But thanks for the advice.

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

If you have to shoot under those circumstance, meaning lousy lighting, here are two things to try. One, hold your breath and squeeze the shutter. Two, shoot in burst or continuous mode. You'd be surprised how this might help.

Bill M Loc: Sunny Floida

Have you considered a remote shutter release? Sometimes just touching the camera to release the shutter can cause just enough movement to slightly blur the picture. Worth a try?

Cappy Loc: Wildwood, NJ

Go with a faster shutter speed to stop the motion, and f8 or f11 to increase depth of field and cut back on the ISO to reduce the noise.

Chuy Loc: OUT OF TOWN

Try to hold your camera level.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I would consider getting down lower. Sit on first row or floor. I believe this will show a more "action", type, shots.
Watch out for loose balls and kids, steamrolling you.

Maybe, zoom in tighter, if you can. (Like 77Firebirds image)

Fill frame with the players.
Capture flying sweat(?)

Post results!!!
Pat

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

All those suggestions completely contradict one another when shooting indoor sports in poorly lit situations.

Did you not read her initial post?
She was shooting wide open at 2.8 with an ISO of 3200 and even that only got her 200 for a shutter speed.
How is she suppossed to shot at f8 or f11 plus lower the ISO and increase the shutter speeed?!?
Exactly NONE of that is possible.


ksgcslater...short of using lights there is not a whole lot you can do. The main problem with your images is too slow of a shutter speed to stop action and reduce image blur and prevent camera shake.
School gyms (even some college ones) have notoriously poor lighting for photography. You can try going up to 6400 on the ISO and/or deliberately under exposing the shots by using a faster shutter speed with hopes of recovering some useful images later in post.
You could try blasting them with straight on camera flash but that will produce harsh shadows. You will get some action shots though.
Or you could try standing right behind and just to one side of a goal and use a fast 50mm lens if you have one.
You should be on the court in any case. Shooting from the stands as players go across your field of view will exaggerate the player movement. Standing behind a goal where players are coming at you will increase your chance of a sharp image.
Good luck.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Well, nuts....I did go off topic.
Sorry.
Pat

dasloaf

I shoot at 1\500 to 1\640 with ISO 6400 with same set up. I also let the camera fly on the action. It will take great shots if you let it. Also adjust your lighting to the gym lighting. The difference between tungsten lighting and fluorescent lighting will make a big difference. Also talk to the refs and the person in charge of the gym. 90% of them will give you free reign in the gym if you talk to them and you ask them about their rules. Most will tell you no flash and with your equipment, you won't need it. I can wander around the sidelines and take my pictures without any problems! the Monopod is more of a hinderance, lost it and let the pictures fly

melphoto60

tripod might be dangerous if the children come crashing into you, unless you are higher up, I would not setup at floor level anywhere on the court...

ksgcslater

dasloaf-what do you mean setting your camera to fly on the action? I do sit on the first row of the bleachers and use a monopod because it gives me some stability but allows me to swing the camera side to side quickly. I don't want to use flash because it's distracting to the players and I'm trying to use continuous shots and my flash can't always recover quickly enough. Luckily we have games every week so I can keep practicing until I get something right! That's the magic with digital-you can shoot hundreds of photos and hope to get a few good ones!!