Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Tom: I know that once you have the correct settings in a gym they are not going to change. Set them once and your good to go.

david vt Loc: Vermont

Yup. Even within sports (90% of what I shoot), indoor fast sports - e.g. BB) is very tough, and the light at MS and HS gyms, especially at night, makes it even more so.

@Tom’s comment on changing light and angles, that is why I shoot Auto ISO. Of the 5 controls I can change in response to change in photons coming in the front of the camera, I need to control, in order, a) min SS to freeze the action, b) Aperture (wide, or nearly wide open for max light and low DoF), c) set or auto WB in response to the specific gym, d) EC (other than zero, if I think it is called for). Since all of this to to capture moving action where you don’t have time to stop and change settings, I shoot auto ISO with limits.

I don’t know if I could just set it fully manual, not adjust, and fix the exposure in post, but my guess is that it is better to let ISO push up in camera for proper exposure than to push the equivalent stops in PP relative to which creates less noise in the final result. This last is my current hypothesis, and I would welcome opinions from experienced (pro, semi-pro, or just our experienced enthusiasts) to confirm or contrast.

Good luck

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Okay all I can do is tell you what I do. I go to the gym at least 45 min. before the game starts. I set the camera on manual (always) set shutter speed to start with at 1/800 at 2.8 auto white balance. Then I check the iso. Starting at 3500 in a yuking gym lighting. From there I practice with all the settings during warm ups and see what's working or not. I might go down on shutter to 1/640 still at 2.8, look through the back of the camera at 100% to look at noise, focus, etc. Once I get the proper settings that is it through the game. Lighting at a gym never changes, maybe a little brighter at one end of the court but basically the same lighting through out the gym floor. Hope this helps everyone.
Keep shooting tight.
Jules

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Through out the game check your shots, if a setting isn't working change it on the fly. Do not wait until you get home, do it during half time or between quarters. Why shoot a whole game and not check and see what's going on. Am I getting enough light, stopping the action, etc.
Jules

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

You are not that far off. If this was easy, anybody could do it. Mostly you just missed focus point. I have good results with 1/500, sometimes down to 1/320 depending on talent level and speed of the game. I use single point when feeling on my game, otherwise I relax with Grp area or 9 point. Let that ISO float with Auto or set to 3200+. Remember that different parts of the floor are better lit than others, but Jules is correct, the light in a gym doesn't change (unless a transformer blows)!
I shoot manual with Auto ISO. Your best shots and exposures will usually be under basket. Why? Look up and see where the trellis or lights are hanging. Players have to see the rim to shoot.
Single point metering will help, fill up the lens with 1 or 2 players, otherwise your background will fool your camera into dark shots on wider shots as more light is gathered. I suspect those who say the light changes actually are using matrix metering and the camera adjusts as they pan around. No gym that I know of dims or brightens the lights up and down during a game.

david vt Loc: Vermont

@ mike, agree with 99% of comments. In terms of light changing up and down a court, I found, in my local MS (especially) and HS gyms, that the position of the lighting and hanging banners from the rafters create “dark spots” with less light than perhaps a spot 15 ft away. At least that is my observation. Generally, once I “dial in” for a game (similar, but not as extensive as Jules, but that is why he is professions and I, well...., am not!), ISO generally will not change more than +/- 1 EV for as I track the action.

I also use S point focus and metering. With my current abilities, I find this gives me a slightly higher level of keepers. Agree with mikes comments here for the metering to be on the players, not background (find especially that stands tend to be dark).

this is a great group teaching/learning thread. really enjoying it.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

A lot of good ideas here. I think it's take the comments and suggestions go to the gym and play, adjust, think, and shoot. Have fun is the main thing and get better at our craft. I want to get better too.
Hopefully with my new lens coming on Monday and using it on Tues or Thurs I will attack the shots a bit different, longer reach than the 85mm 1.8, I am figuring the 70-200 2.8 vr II will get me to beyond the half court line and a little more. I too will learn.
Jules

A bit better lighting under the basket. Maybe??

(Download)

SENSORLOUPE

I shoot Canon, so is matrix a Nikon term? I have been using Evaluative metering. This is where I get mixed up. Single point AF is what I want to use? So I want to use SPOT metering? I assume these are 2 different things. I am looking in manuals.HELP!!!! This could be part of my focus prob.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

We are on the same page, if not the same paragraph! I use Auto ISO to compensate for those dark spots on the floor (no time to change on the fly). I set my SS and Aperture, BBF, AF-C, Single point meter on player jersey and focus best I can!
Note the hot spots on the floor reflecting lights above.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-442117-1.html

SENSORLOUPE

That will be a super lens!! I have the Canon 70-200 L lens, but it is a F4 (too slow) I am anxious to see the photos

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

I believe Evaluative metering in Canon speak is same as Matrix for Nikon. Anything that gathers light from the entire scene and averages all light to get your exposure should be avoided. You want to narrow the exposure to the players on court to make sure they are properly exposed always. Spot metering will do that and as Jules suggested, do it during warm ups, set and forget.
Your focus setting will be up to your skill set and how tight you can shoot. Single point is hardest, but more focus points sometimes will lock in on a stray elbow a hip or foot or the basketball, when you want the player alone in focus, especially their faces.
Yes, metering and focus are two separate functions and often confused as the same thing. You could Evaluative meter while single point focusing. It's the lens and sensor working in tandem. Your sensor will read all the light you tell it to. The lens will focus on how many spots your camera tells it to focus on. Use each to your advantage!

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Well said Mike I agree with you.

SENSORLOUPE

[quote=mikeroetex]I believe Evaluative metering in Canon speak is same as Matrix for Nikon. Anything that gathers light from the entire scene and averages all light to get your exposure should be avoided. You want to narrow the to the players on court to make sure they are properly exposed always. Spot metering will do that and as Jules suggested, do it during warm ups, set and forget.
Your focus setting will be up to your skill set and how tight you can shoot. Single point is hardest, but more focus points sometimes will lock in on a stray elbow a hip or foot or the basketball, when you want the player alone in focus, especially their faces.

Thanks Mike, I appreciate your info. Now just putting it to use

SENSORLOUPE

SENSORLOUPE

I'm going to try the Auto ISO. I always set it otherwise. thanks