how do I get the best images when shooting sport action at night under floodlights?
using the nikon D1H
First of all, crank up your ISO to 1600 or more.
Secondly, set your camera to "Aperture Priority" and choose the largest aperture opening of your lens (the smallest number). If you are using a normal zoom lens, note that as you zoom, the aperture shrinks (nomber becomes larger) which also reduces the shutter speed. This will cause blurring.
The ideal solution is to use a zoom lens that has a large aperture opening – f2.8 and where the aperture is constant throughout the zoom range. The ideal lens would be the Nikon 70-200 VR which costs an arm and a leg (easily U$D1500). A cheaper alternative is the 50mm f1.8 prime lens (non-zoom). You should be able to get a shutter speed close to 1/500 with this set-up.
Categories: Action Sports Images 50mm F1, Aperture Priority, Crank, F2, Floodlights, Ideal, Images, Nikon 70 200 Vr, Nikon D1h, Prime Lens, Shooting Sport, Shutter Speed, Sport Action, Zoom, Zoom Lens
Your Nikon should have a option for "night sport scenes" (most Nikon digital cameras do). Otherwise concentrate on closer flash lit shots.
References :
Photojournalist
If you shoot in RAW, at the highest ISO, you will have the best chance of getting the "action", but in reality you really need some kind of flash to get the "frozen action" of the game. Most sporting venues have flash units mounted over the courts in strategic areas. Usually there are more than one set. The set installed by the school or stadium, local newspaper and at professional venues there are some special lighting setups by sports magazines and newspapers.
Sometimes it is possible to use lights that are not being uses for that particular game, but you will have to assure them that you will not "over shoot" the flash units. Over shooting is when you take a lot of shots in succession which heats up the control box and in some cases can cause damage to either the power unit or the flash tubes themselves.
References :
Editorial, sports and glamour photographer
First of all, crank up your ISO to 1600 or more.
Secondly, set your camera to "Aperture Priority" and choose the largest aperture opening of your lens (the smallest number). If you are using a normal zoom lens, note that as you zoom, the aperture shrinks (nomber becomes larger) which also reduces the shutter speed. This will cause blurring.
The ideal solution is to use a zoom lens that has a large aperture opening – f2.8 and where the aperture is constant throughout the zoom range. The ideal lens would be the Nikon 70-200 VR which costs an arm and a leg (easily U$D1500). A cheaper alternative is the 50mm f1.8 prime lens (non-zoom). You should be able to get a shutter speed close to 1/500 with this set-up.
References :