WalshT

Been shooting some basketball for the first time. I use a canon 7d and for these shots a 85 1.8. I shot manual either 1.8 or 2.0 and either a 400th or 500th and I set a custom WB. My iso is set to auto until I can figure things out. It has been between 1600 and 3200. The camera is set to a single center focus point and AI servo. For some reason iso dropped in the second 1/2 for a few images.
I usually shot landscape or portraits at very low iso and higher f stops. My images are are much sharper.

I have two questions.
Can you see anything that I am doing that makes these images seem soft or based upon my equipment and light is this the best I can expect? I know I still need a lot of practice.

Does anyone have a good standard workflow for noise removal? I open in camera raw and apply noise reduction and sharpening before I touch anything more. I don't do much editing, if any, with these shots.

The first images below are at a 400th.

dasloaf

I like them,they don't look soft to me. With gym lighting being different every few feet, they came out really good! I have been experimenting with the AV setting on my camera and running a constant f2.8 at 6400. the results have been interesting. The other experiment I tried today was using a 24-70mF2.8 and staying under the rim area. I think I got some good shoots!

WalshT

Thanks, This is by far the hardest type of images I've tried to make. It's a lot of fun.

WildBill Loc: South West Florida

Just back home after watching my daughter play a couple games at Presentation College. Very hard to get great shots considering lighting, action, and camera restrictions. At ISO 3200, you got excellent photos. Those will print out very nicely. I love the lens choice too. I have to stay at ISO 800 or I get way too much noise with my Rebel (guess I am jealous lol). Your camera is awesome and your eye is impressive too. Wish my attempts were as good as your first try. Great job.