BarbC

Hi everyone, I tried to shoot dogs running inside at an agility trial with a nikon D7000 and a 70-200 f2.8 lens. I tried shutter priority 1/2000 and the ISO was 1250 with that setting all the pictures were dark and I couldn't even fix them in photoshop. I tried again today and used program mode it used 1/100 ISO 1250 and the pictures were bright enough but the dogs were almost all blurry. The pro's that I have seen places told me they use 1/2000 shutter speed to stop the action. I am new to try and use all the settings but I don't know what to do next. Thanks for any help.

edwinj Loc: winchester,ky

1/2000 is way too fast that's why the pics turned out dark. the shutter didn't stay open long enough. 1/100 is too slow, the shutter stayed open too long hence the blurry dogs in motion. try something around 1/250

shadow1284 Loc: Mid-West Michigan

You might try using the tvShutter speed) setting at 1/500 and setting the ISO to auto. If the camera light meter is at all good it should set the correct apature to give you a decient picture. From your first shot you can determine if the lighting is too dark or too light and if the participants are focused as you would like them.
From there you can reset the shutter speed in tv mode or using manuel and the previous settings the camera had in tv mode start adjusting tv and appature to get the best shots.
Good lick.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

At 1/2000 even at the ISO 1250 you are not getting enough light, you didn't say what your apeture was set at. At 1/100 as you noticed you are getting enough light but the speed isn't fast enough to freeze the action. So your choices are either up your ISO or use a larger aperture.

I would think that a SS of 1/500 would be fast enough to stop the action of the dogs, if not 1/1000 should be more than fast enough.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

You shouldn't need 1/2000 shutter speed. 1/1000 is fast enough.

I never use auto iso. And you are using an excellent lens, camera too.

Can you post one so I can see what you did

RocketScientist Loc: Littleton, Colorado

Read this thread: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-21749-1.html He addresses both technique and camera settings.

I tried the technique while doing laundry today and standing in the parking lot practicing with cars on South Broadway. I think it will work for you.

dfalk Loc: Chugiak, Alaska

I just poked my 70-200 F2.8 out the picture window, ISO 1250, F2.8 -- 1/2000 is the shutter speed the camera picked. FYI the sun is on the horizon and I was looking at a yard in shade so I seriously doubt the 1/2000 shutter speed is the only thing causing you an issue.

What kind of light conditions did you have?

BarbC

Thank ALL of you so much for the information. I have printed it all out and will try it as soon as I can or for sure at the next agility trial. That's a whole month away though I will practice the panning. The lighting in the building is overhead like a gym or maybe not even that bright. I can't wait to finally get the manual settings so I understand it and I know I just have to shoot (trial and error). I'm really thankful for the help!

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

try some these
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=photograping+motion+tutorials&oq=photograping+motion+tutorials&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=6764l29265l0l32872l19l19l0l1l0l0l254l3414l0.10.8l18l0

LarryD Loc: Mojave Desert

Proper exposure is always proper exposure.. you should not need to do "trial and error".

If you choose to use "manual settings" then you need to know what the exposure is. You need to meter the light. Either use your cameras meter or a separate one, but you have to know.. exposure is not a guess. Look at your meter settings in all areas of the arena..

For stopping action, you seldom need a shutter speed greater than 1/250, or 1/500. If you want to use Shutter Priority, that's fine.. Set it for 1/250 and set your ISO to 400. Then check your meter readings around the arena and see if your aperture will be adequate. It should be fine if you are using an f2.8 lens.. Keep in mind though, if the aperture is that wide, you will lose some depth of field..

Manually setting your camera is fine... but you have to set it to proper exposure settings.. you can't just use anything :)

rthurlow

After nearly fifty years behind a camera I can guess exposure pretty well, but always use the in camera lightmeter.

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

That was an excellent article by Treadwl on moving objects.

Anyone who wants to shoot moving objects should review this thread.
Be sure to scroll down a few posts to get more information from Treadwl.

...Thanks Rocket.

MtnMan Loc: ID

The fact that your pictures were dark suggests you didn't get proper exposure with your light meter settings. The first thing you want to do is check your camera settings and set it to not take the pic unless it has proper exposure.

Then you should press the shutter half way and make sure you can see the green light before taking the pic.

You can set a fixed ISO or leave it on auto in P mode. If you choose a fixed ISO and don't get the green light the pic shouldn't fire...you don't have enough light for your lens to offer a suitable f-stop and exposure time.

Then there is the question of what you have your metering set to and where are the red dots lighting up with the shutter release half way down...but I don't think that is your issue.

I suspect the D7000 program mode is like the D5100, but I am not sure. In it you can choose from a range of exposure time and f-stop that give proper exposure by rotating the thumb wheel. If you can't get it to fire with a high enough shutter speed your ISO is too low.

In any case you should do some tests before the dogs run and check your LCD to ensure you have good exposure.

r.reeder Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Are you shooting Available Light, without an X-flash? Does that indoor agility trail have flourescent indoor lighting? If so, 1/2000 sec might catch the 1/60 sec that the flourescent light is off. If not, then I'm having trouble Troubleshooting this one.
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Landschaft Mahler Loc: Nebraska

I would go out and find similar light and other circumstances and practice, practice till I got it right. If you wait till the next trials then you are likely to again be disappointed. There are many sites listed here that will help you get things set up and right. Mostly have fun learning.