Sports photography: Im new here and my son just started playing high school football. I have a cannon rebel t3. Whats the nest way to take good action shots with out the blurry shots.

Maeg

Im new here and my son just started playing high school football. I have a cannon rebel t3. Whats the nest way to take good action shots with out the blurry shots. Whats the best camera on a budget or is there a lense that would work for what i have? He is a freshman now i am thinking of adding a lense or options to start with a new set? I purchased this camera 5 years ago after having another baby. I am open to options help please

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Welcome aboard! Alas, you're about to receive every conceivable suggestion ...

You should begin with a budget. You should also recognize your T3 is fine for outdoor & daylight sports. Your budget and your son's activities will determine if you need another camera and / or different lens. Note too there's a dedicated sports section on the site. Just list All Sections (link at bottom of the page) and subscribe to the sports section.

Regarding help on blurry shots, we can give a number of best practices that may / may not apply to your situation. It would be better for you to open a new thread in the Sports section or the Photo Gallery and attach 1 or a few JPEGs directly from the camera, being sure to check the box to store the original. There are many people who can look into the details of the image and give specific and actionable advice for corrective actions.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Welcome to UHH.
I don't know much about the t3, but a faster shutter speed should help reduce or eliminate blur.
Shoot in Tv and try different shutter speeds, 1/250 is a good place to start.
What lens are you using?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Maeg wrote:

Im new here and my son just started playing high school football. I have a cannon rebel t3. Whats the nest way to take good action shots with out the blurry shots. Whats the best camera on a budget or is there a lense that would work for what i have? He is a freshman now i am thinking of adding a lense or options to start with a new set? I purchased this camera 5 years ago after having another baby. I am open to options help please

Welcome aboard and have fun capturing your sons high school football.
I agree with CHG CANON

david vt Loc: Vermont

Hi

CHG CANON has good advice. And shooting outdoor (daylight) you will have some options to balance Shutter speed (faster), Aperture (generally toward the more wide open end) and ISO (especially if sharing just digitally and social media for friends/family, you can go a bit higher than “optimum). Shooting night games under what are usually less than ideal feel lights is a whole ‘nother Ballgame (pun intended0)

Not to disagree with someone posting since 2011, but I suspect 1/250 recommended by MAC will not be fast enough.

I would also search the archives in the sports section for posts by Jules Kearney (( think I have the last name spelled right). Pro-level photog whom regularly posts soccer at highshool and college level, but the settings are similiar More importantly, he always posts his settings, which will give you some good ideas.

Several other football shooters whom post and comment there as well. Post a few and we can help “dial you in”

Welcome

khorinek

You didn't say what lens you were using, but that's where I would start for sports, a good quality lens. Here's my suggestions, Shoot shutter priority, (Tv in Canon) around 1/800 to 1/1250, set the camera on high speed continuous shooting. Use AI SERVO (this will allow the camera to continuously focus as you shoot, instead of ONE SHOT). Not knowing what lens you are using, I can't suggest an Aperture but as it gets darker outside, switch to Manual Mode and adjust Aperture more wide open, Adjust ISO as it gets darker outside, assuming it is a night game. Practice, Practice, Practice. Good luck.

uhaas2009

You have three options- sports automote, TV, M. I guess you don’t know what shutter speed, aperture, ISO does. TV would your best program to use.
Shutter speed- so shorter the time so more you freeze an action.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Maeg wrote:

Im new here and my son just started playing high school football. I have a cannon rebel t3. Whats the nest way to take good action shots with out the blurry shots. Whats the best camera on a budget or is there a lense that would work for what i have? He is a freshman now i am thinking of adding a lense or options to start with a new set? I purchased this camera 5 years ago after having another baby. I am open to options help please

Why would you not post this in the Sports Photography section?
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-103-1.html

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Maeg wrote:

Im new here and my son just started playing high school football. I have a cannon rebel t3. Whats the nest way to take good action shots with out the blurry shots. Whats the best camera on a budget or is there a lense that would work for what i have? He is a freshman now i am thinking of adding a lense or options to start with a new set? I purchased this camera 5 years ago after having another baby. I am open to options help please

Your T3 has a plenty fast shutter speed and ISO capability for sports.
Most involved use fast lenses meaning wide opening in the lens and these are not cheap.
For football the generally preferred lens is the Superb Canon 70-200mm f2.8, it is expensive.
Buying lenses is generally the best thing to do as they stay relevant for years and camera bodies seem to be upgraded frequently. Fortunately all your EF lenses will grow with you and are 100% compatible even with the new RF mount cameras so do not worry about investing in EF lenses.
You need to use a high shutter like 1/500 or faster generally. Set a higher ISO and shoot wide open the get that shutter speed. Also practice is critical as there is no magic bullet for sharp sports photos. Select peak moments in the action. And practice. PS there are times a bit of blur is desirable to show action motion so try that too. Images are free so practice over and over and get the technique down.

Bill_de Loc: US

Although this is from Nikon, the advice is not brand specific.

Photographing Sports Indoors and Out

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/tips-and-techniques/photographing-sports-indoors-and-out.html

---

ELNikkor

If you set slower than 1/500 of a second, you will have motion blur with sports. (Even at 1/500th, some shots will still show some motion.) If it is bright enough, 1/1000 is even better. If it is cloudy, or at night under the lights, you will need a lens faster than 5.6, but the 70-200 2.8 staple of most sports photographers is heavy and will set you back a pretty penny.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Sounds like you need a better lens. If you're trying to get photos in the evening under the lights you will need the canon "bad ass"..... 70-200 2.8 L version 1,2, or 3 will work (the L version is the big white lens that costs about 1800 - worth every penny). It is heavy but it is only one that will get a clear photo at night. If your taking photos in daylight you can use a cheaper lens.. like the 70-300 4 L ($700 on ebay) or even the 70-300 F4-5.6 usm ($450ish ebay). Once you have the right lens - then start practicing using TV mode, Shutter at 500 or better, in AI servo. If this all sound crazy confusing you should go to You Tube and watch some videos by Michael The Maven - his videos are super helpful

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

The T3 if purchased as a kit it came with two lenses. You can use the zoom in daylight shooting with no problem. Shoot at 1/1000 will do for a starter, as you get better you might be looking for better photo equipment. Good luck and keep shooting..... Save your $$$$ for a later date till you are sure you want to stay shooting. This was my starter camera.....

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Maeg wrote:

Im new here and my son just started playing high school football. I have a cannon rebel t3. Whats the nest way to take good action shots with out the blurry shots. Whats the best camera on a budget or is there a lense that would work for what i have? He is a freshman now i am thinking of adding a lense or options to start with a new set? I purchased this camera 5 years ago after having another baby. I am open to options help please

You're getting several good recommendations for specific lenses. The best lens mentioned is Canon's EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS. It is a great lens, but it is expensive and heavy for what you need now. Look into Canon's EF70-200mm f/4.0L. The "L" indicates it is Canon's best series lens. The "f/4.0" tells you the lens's widest aperture. This lens is available in Canon's refurbished department for about $515.00 usd, and the lens does not have "IS" or image stabilization. You might learn of the EF70-200mm f/2.8LIS is a much better and faster lens. It also costs 3 times what the f/4.0 runs. Start slowly, it is expensive and can be confusing. Your t3 will get you what you want if you learn to use it properly. Consult the "Creative Live" webb site and look into Jon Greengo's lesson on your camera. He is very good at this an you will know more about the camera than your owner's manual will offer. Best of luck to you.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Maeg wrote:

Im new here and my son just started playing high school football. I have a cannon rebel t3. Whats the nest way to take good action shots with out the blurry shots. Whats the best camera on a budget or is there a lense that would work for what i have? He is a freshman now i am thinking of adding a lense or options to start with a new set? I purchased this camera 5 years ago after having another baby. I am open to options help please

The best camera on a budget for sports is the one you have, your t3. Any DSLR will take decent action shots with the right shutter speed. Any lens in the 55-200mm range, depending how far away you'll be sitting. Practice with quick moving objects (kids playing at the playground).