Volleyball pics

[ronmayhew]

These pics were of my daughter's volleyball game.

24-70L, center focus, 3200 ISO.

[QUASIPHOTO]

Nice shots. I think though if your going to shoot with this lens at this ISO you might want to consider a noise program like Noise Ninja or Neat Image to clean them up. It will make all the difference in the world. I see that you have an 85mm f1.8, I think you will get better results with that lens indoors even though the 24-70L is an awesome lens. In shot #2, the player seems a bit soft and the fans seem in focus. I'm totally having that same issue when I shoot volleyball. I can't figure out why that is. These are pretty good though. I can so feel your experience. Volleyball can be fun and frustrating at the same time. It really is a challenge. Keep posting.

[ronmayhew]

The 85 is a great lens. I actully bought it for this type of photography and it works pretty well for basketball. However, the focal lenghth is just too long in most cases.

I resolved some of my focus issues by going to center focus and changing custom function 4 to option 1.

With this lens, or any other, wide open you have to be dead on up this close because of depth of field. This is where the trade of of shutter speed and depth of field is critical.

I'm still trying to learn how to do this, so I appreciate the suggestions!

[Croasdail]

Okay guys, here is something new I tried last game that seemed to work for me. First, I shoot portrait mode almost exclusively for Volleyball (most sports for that fact), and this takes care of the too longness issue of the 85. I also move down to about 5 yards away from the net on the side lines which helps get both sides of the net action.... lastly, on the 20D I started using the far left-now Bottom in portrait mode focus point. For whatever reason, this keeps the focus point on the legs and down and I get less background focused shots. I am going to try it again on Monday... but it seemed to work.

Also - here is a good link on FM about how to shoot volleyball

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/294094

Of course the guy hates the 85 too... so what ever.

Cheers All!

[rklepper]

Quasiphoto is right. I have the 24-70 and I just do not think it is up to the task. I have ordered the 85 f1.8 and the 135 f2.0L. Hoping one of them is up to the task,

[wagonwheel]

I too change my focus point around during the game. I was using the center point and finding as the players move around the camera would focus on the background stands. I watched the game for a few minutes without the camera in front of my face so I could see how the shot I wanted would play out. I moved the focus point so it would be where the player would be and I could still have the ball in the frame. My favorite thing to shot is portraits, but man shooting volleyball is a challenge. Portraiture is almost a no brainier once you do it a few times (well maybe not). Anyway, this is probably the most challenging photography I have done. I installed neat image yesterday to try to reduce the noise some, it is a very good program and it is free. You may want to try it out also. Keep shooting and good luck.

[ACDCROCKS]

Nice pics, I can't wait until I get my 20D and the 70-200 IS

[ronmayhew]

Anybody have a link to download a free version of neat image?

I downloaded noiseware several months ago onto another computer and now it's graduated to a more commercial mode.

[mknabster]

Hey ronmayhew, my school's newspaper need people who can take pictures for a volleyball game and i was thinking about doing one. Are they fun to go to? And where would be a best place to go to take shots? I have a Powershot G6 w/ the telephoto lens, would i need the lens? Thanks for your advice!

[ACDCROCKS]

There fun to go to, thats if your watching them and getting paid to take pics, but for free, not really, it gets old beleive me.If your lens is 1.8 and if you can change your ISO up to 800-1250, Yes. The volleyball referee in my area does not allow flashes, if I were you I would check on that. Have a shutter speed of 250 or more. I would make sure you get credit for them pics too. The best place to get shots is having the net 5 feet to your right or left of you. Make sure you stay back 6 feet from the court lines "Out of bounds" lines. Carry no Camera bags with you were you sit "If you have to leave in a hurry you'll be grabbning that bag and won't have enough time to get away from harm said the ref" Always think 1* second a head of time, and focus in one area.
Good Luck
Cheers