How do you guys (& gals) do it...

[donmash]

I went this morning and shot something new for me...indoors....basketball of 9 year olds.

I am sure that you all know what kind of a pain that can be, my question is though how do you do it as far as camera set up, with or without a flash. Any ole tips would be appreciated.

I have attached a few samples that can be used for examples. Shutter to slow etc., not sure how to slow down the action.

Here is what I did for the following:
#5544 1/250 2 f2.8 with -1 exposure bias, shooting in AV with ISO @1000 and 70mm

#5555 1/250 @f2.8 with -1 exposure bias, shooting in AV with ISO 1000 @70mm

#5588 1/160 @f2.8 with .67 Exposure bias, AV, with ISO 800 @ 67mm

[JSPhoto]

Don,
Up that ISO! You won't have noise problems at 1600 with MK II N. You can also use your 580EX set to fill flash if they allow it, some places don't, but most will.

JS

[donmash]

JS,

I will try the ISO at 1600 tomorrow. I will have to read how to use the flash as a fill....I can use it where the boys play but will have to figure that part out.

If you set the ISO at 1600 can I still use the AV setting or is it better to set it up differently?

Thanks for the insight (again)

Don

[hesaias]

set your flash for ETTL 1/250 -1/500 somewhere in there. If you freeze basketball players, it does not look right, IMO. I set up in the corner on the baseline, standing. 1st half one team is comint toward you on offense, second half the other is. Also, some coaches get ill if you stand facing a foul shooter, esp with a flash. If you stand a couple of feet down the baseline toward the key, you can get a good facial expression without distracting the shooter.

I would also advise shooting manual. set you apperature for f/2.8 and shutterspeed for 1/320, ISO 800 with flash to start. If thats blown out, drop your ISO a step, if its dark, bump it up. You look like you got some pretty good shots today too, btw!

[JSPhoto]

Don,
I never use anything except manual settings. Depending on where I am shooting and the light I shoot from between 160 and 500 shutter speed. You don't have to worry about the noise at 1600 except on very rare occasions, certain backgrounds will give some noise. Now if you had the original 1D it would be more of an issue (see my thread on flash).
To set the 580EX for fill flash simply turn it on, make sure ETTL is selected and then push the third button (middle large one between Mode & Zoom) once and you'll see the sqiggley arrow appear next to ETTL in the screen, now your in fill flash.Make sure your lens is at f2.8 (or whatever the lowest f stop is for the lens your using).
Make sure too your lens is set correctly for focus distance as that will make a difference on how fast it focuses, and your IS is set to 1, not 2. Most shooters here don't need #2, but it's good for some of us, mostly motorsports.

JS

JS,

I will try the ISO at 1600 tomorrow. I will have to read how to use the flash as a fill....I can use it where the boys play but will have to figure that part out.

If you set the ISO at 1600 can I still use the AV setting or is it better to set it up differently?

Thanks for the insight (again)

Don

[donmash]

Thanks to all for the input.

I didn't get a chance to shoot today at the game as expected but I will set up per the information here and I am sure that eventually I will get the photos where they are supposed to be.

[JSPhoto]

Don,
Play around home, inside and outside , day and night with the flash so your not guessing when you get to the games.

One thing I have that really helps is a notebook where I keep my shooting info in for each school I go to. I have a page (or more) for each pool, gym, football field etc. That way I have no guessing when I get there, and if it's a new location I can look and see what worked in similar locations for a good starting point.

JS

[masdog]

Where has the year gone? It's time for basketball already??

Alright....lemme reach back to last year and try to remember my settings. It took about four games to get them nailed down.

I know they're in here somewhere with the other things I don't use anymore...

Found 'em. Right where I left them...next to math!

In the gym I usually shot it, these were the settings I used:
Camera Mode: Manual
Shutter Speed:1/480 or 1/640 sec.
Aperture: f/2.8
White Balance: Custom or flourescent
ISO: 800 or 1600 (depending on where I was in the gym)
File Type: JPEG Large

[livin4lax09]

man, you've got some good lighting in there! i can do 1/250 at f/2.8 at ISO 1600 only. If I want to drop that ISO, i need to get out the 50mm f/1.8