Improving technique

[FOX2PRO]

So, today was my first day ever shooting sports. I was shooting my HS soccer game. It didn't go very well. I shot 2GB worth of images, and got just one keeper :(. But, I want to improve my pictures, and I wanted to ask for some advice.

Here's an example of the nights work:
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3749/img2403qm5.th.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img2403qm5.jpg)
I was shooting with an EF-S 55-250IS lens, on a Rebel XT @ ISO 1600.
As you can see, its very blurry and out of focus. The thing is, I was shooting at the highest shutter speed i could go without underexposing the shots. the 55-250 is limited to 5.6 at 250mm.

My question is: Is there any way, using this lens, that I could make this shot more focused and less blurry, without having to buy new equipment?

I really like to shoot sports, but my HS does most of its games under field lights, and I could not get good exposures.


My second question is, if I were to buy new equipment, which lens would be the best? My budget is around $550 - $650. I could probably go over, as this would be the only new lens I would buy for quite a while.

Thanks for the help.


Heres the keeper:
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1531/img2692hd6.th.jpg (http://img401.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img2692hd6.jpg)

[rdompor]

With that lens/camera combo, I suggest underexposing everything by maybe a stop or so. The action shot you posted seems to have come pretty close to freezing the action, so a slightly faster shutter speed would have stopped it completely and wouldn't have been hard to pull up in post.

As far as OOF images, I suggest learning to manual focus. In dark light, I find that even my 20/30D's are hunting with 2.8 lenses. Practice manual focus and you will eventually become faster than the camera itself, especially when considering that the Rebels are not very fast to begin with. One problem I do see you running into, however, is that the viewfinder is very small and dark on the Rebels and manual focus may be quite difficult. Just try coupling manual focus with the AF points. If you hold down the AF button (half shutter or *) while the lens is in manual focus mode, when you pass over a point of focus the AF point should light up. Give it a go.

Honestly, if you plan to shoot a lot more night games and really become involved in photography in this way, there is no getting around the equipment required for the job.

[Zivnuska]

Trying to shoot night sports under the lights with a 5.6 lens is a recipe for frustration. Do you have a flash? Not the built in camera flash, but the type that attaches to camera.

A flash like the 580 EX II ($375) would be a great addition to your general photography and could really help your sports work. Some folks attach the flash to a monopod and run a sync cord to the camera shoe. Others mount the flash above the camera. Using a flash is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective way to improve your success rate. Get a strong one like the 580!

I use a mount similar to this:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=227467&page=2


BTW, a monopod can be had for less than $50 and will improve your shots as well. This is especially true with long lenses used for field sports.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5480-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_681B_681B_Monopod_Black_.html

Otherwise, you will need a different camera body (ISO 3200 or better yet 6400) and a lens of f/2.8 or faster.

Z.

[DDCSD]

Your shutter speed on the first picture is 1/100s. That is simply not fast enough to stop action.

I would recommend the Canon 200mm f/2.8L. You can find one right now on the forum's buy/sell section for $550 dollars. f/2.8 will get your shutter speed up around 1/400s to 1/500s, which is about where you want to be to stop action.

The flash suggestion is OK, but you won't always be able to use flash and then you run into more issues.

[FOX2PRO]

I've heard about that lens, and I'm seriously considering that upgrade, but its prime, and getting a prime as my first lens is intimidating.

[DDCSD]

I've heard about that lens, and I'm seriously considering that upgrade, but its prime, and getting a prime as my first lens is intimidating.

I think it helped me to have the 200 before my 70-200. It gives you one less thing to worry about. You concentrate more on the shot than zooming. It is truly one of Canon's finest lenses.

[DDCSD]

Or, for a bit more you could look at a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8.

[Dan-o]

If you are starting a lens collection then get the 70-200 2.8. It is a much more versatile lens. A used Sigma could be found for close to that. Another route for now would be a used 580 EX flash and flash bracket.

[FOX2PRO]

I know about the sigma, and I was considering it, but its a bit out of my price range. What about the tamron 70-200 f2.8?