Your routine as pros for bball events

[dodorouthier]

I shoot in dim light most of the time. I use a 50 1.8 and and just added a 85 1.8 for basketball . I own a 30d
Here is what I do, but I am not improving anymore...
I get into a gym, first I look at the speed I get at iso 800 at f 1.8. If I get anything over 1/500, I go to f 2 or 2.2 to help me with sharpness issues. Then I do a costom white balance with a white object on site.
Then I check the exposure and I shoot with the camera on AV mode at a minimum speed of 1/400. I love it when i can use iso 800 but its RarE. I dont like the noise at iso 1600 and over. I sometimes do well...other times I am wasting my time. I used the * for a while to focus with my 20d, did not change the settings for this one. I find that my 70-200 IS focuses well compared to my other lens but the 1.8 is very practical in low light
You pros out there, what is your routine?
I would love to do better

[Mike R]

I haven't shot BB yet but for other sports, I shoot in M that way I can use f/2.8 and also set the shutter speed to 1/400. This way I know that they will not change but I can adjust the ISO for the proper exposure. The aperture I use is dependent on the lighting.

[butcha27]

You may be better asking "non-pro's" I shoot pro basketball but the lighting is always reasonably good. I shoot womens too and get some dark gyms though. I don't have an 85 f/1.8 as yet, I always use the 70-200 f/2.8. I'm not sure if my advice will help too much as I also use a 400D and can shoot at ISO1600 without too much noise. I do always shoot in full manual though. If you think I may be able to help just ask or pm me.

[dodorouthier]

cricket looks fun!
wow,
So manual mode would be the way to go?

[dodorouthier]

You may be better asking "non-pro's" I shoot pro basketball but the lighting is always reasonably good. I shoot womens too and get some dark gyms though. I don't have an 85 f/1.8 as yet, I always use the 70-200 f/2.8. I'm not sure if my advice will help too much as I also use a 400D and can shoot at ISO1600 without too much noise. I do always shoot in full manual though. If you think I may be able to help just ask or pm me.
Saw your gallery, nice work!
how do yoou decide on your metering mode?

[n1as]

Well, I'm no pro, but here's how I shot basketball with my Nikon D40.

M mode. 50mm f/1.8 lens set to f/2.0 ISO set to 1600. Shutter worked out to 1/320. Did custom ISO balance using a piece of paper I carry in the camera bag.

On the D40, the 50mm lens was manual focus so I did what I did years ago; prefocus and let the action come to you.

I'd focus on the basketball net and wait for the kids to run into my zone.

I also worked on panning to follow the player's face when I shot. At ss speeds of 1/320, 1/250, 1/125, there is enough blurring that you have to pan or you'll end up with blurry subjects.

This year, I have the Canon 40D with both 50 f1.8 and 85 f/1.8 lenses. I've optically tested the lenses and quickly found the 50 is very soft at 1.8 and 2 but sharpens up nicely at f/2.8. I plan to use the 85 f/1.8 for most of my shooting with some 50mm work for close under basket stuff.

- Keith -

From last year, Nikon D40, 50mm f/1.8 1/320 s f/2.0 ISO 1600

[butcha27]

Saw your gallery, nice work!
how do yoou decide on your metering mode?

Firstly thanks for the kind words

I'd usually use normal evalutate for basketball I don't find that it'll make a lot of difference. I'm shooting in full manual and know the speed I can get at the gyms I go to. Centre weighted is usually for more backlit subjects. The metering mode may play a much larger role if you're shooting in AV mode though.

[dodorouthier]

thanks for the info!