Indoor Cheerleading Help

[mikenew]

I am new to photography and am going to my daughters indoor cheerleading compition. Wondering if someone can give me some ideas on settings. Iam using a 40D with a 2.8 70-200mm IS lens, no flash aloud. Thanks for help

[SPORTshot]

If you did a search for "cheerleading" you might some good info. I know I've seen a few threads about it on here. I've never shot cheerleading but as far as settings go......best way to find your settings is to show up early and take a few shots, check your histogram and adjust accordingly. We've had a discussion recently that if you shoot in JPEG with no flash/strobes your images will turn out better than if you shot in RAW. So, I would suggest JPEG, AI servo, center focus point, keep your shutter speed 400 or above. Your histogram will tell you a lot.

[DDCSD]

Short and sweet starting point.

AI Servo, AV mode, f/2.8 and more than likely ISO1600 or 3200. You'll want as high of shutter speeds as you can get.

Ideally, take a shot in AV mode at F/2.8 and then see what the exposure looks like and dial those settings in M. Shoot in RAW.

[vetkrazy]

You say indoor, can I assume a high school gym? Most H.S. gyms have lighting that make you pull your hair out. My guess is that the 70-200 may not be fast enough. Not to mention that the lights will be cycling thru several color changes. If you have a grey card you set up a custom white balance, if not shoot in raw so you can correct in post. My suggestions are to shoot manual, wide open, custom white balance and iso at 1600 to start. See what kind of shutter speed you get and adjust from there. SPORTshot had it right, get there early and take a bunch of test shots.

Here is a cheerleader shot from a recent basketball game: 5D MK2, ISO 6400, ss 1/1000, 85mm f/2


347489

[gidoc]

Agree with above comments. Would add center point focus only. I shoot a lot of indoor Pom Pon competitions for my daughter and they are held in conjunction with Cheerleading. Here is a photo form a recent competition. EXIF should be intact, if not: Canon 50D with 17-55 f/2.8 IS, f/2.8, ISO 1600, 1/350, AV mode.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk131/gidoc/Misc/IMG_1076_edited-1.jpg

[DegasGoneDigital]

Shoot in Manuel, raw, shutter at least 1/300 as high as you can, F stop 2.8-3.5, ISO 800-1250,1600 if you have too. Use the AF button on the back and disable AF on the shutter button. The AF button will set your focus depth and keep it there while you move from person to person on that line without the risk of front/back focusing.

[mikenew]

going to patriot center in VA

[HighPixel]

It all depends where you have the cheer at and what lighting is going to be used at the time. My cheer team at a competition earlier last month had decent lighting. My exif was ISO 1600, ss at 1/320 @ 2.8. Last weekends competition was at the same location, but this time they turned all the lights down low, then turned stage lights on at each performance, exif was ISO 1250, ss 1/400th, @ 2.8.
Take a look at my site for results.
RonBaltazar

[mikenew]

Thanks for all the advice will let you know how it goes.

[Thomas G]

It all depends where you have the cheer at and what lighting is going to be used at the time. My cheer team at a competition earlier last month had decent lighting. My exif was ISO 1600, ss at 1/320 @ 2.8. Last weekends competition was at the same location, but this time they turned all the lights down low, then turned stage lights on at each performance, exif was ISO 1250, ss 1/400th, @ 2.8.
Take a look at my site for results.
RonBaltazar

Ron has it right. I shot at the same location and event and was using the same settings.

[J.Napier]

Mike,
Also check out the two other post on this subject for more info.
pacdzyne

[bradthomas]

I too am new to photography and bought the Rebel XTi 12.1 (450D) package. Came with the EFS 18-55mm IS and the EFS 55-250mm IS. I got the camera to shoot my daughter's soccer games and to shoot my other daughter's dance competitions. Soccer worked great. Dance not so great. I don't think lenses can handle the low light fast motion of the gyms and dance competitions. So....I am looking at a new lens....I need advice. Of course I don't want to spend tons, but I will if I need to. I WANT some good pictures, that's why I'm a grand into this already. Is there a new lens I should get? I saw a Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L USM for about $900. Will that lens do the trick? Are there others cheaper that will do the trick? Or, do I just need need to play with settings etc.... HELP!!!!!

Thanks in advance!

[vetkrazy]

The 85mm f/1.8 is the gold standard for low light lenses. Should be able to get a used one on the B&S board between $300-350. You can also look to the 100mm f/2. Or the 135 if you want to spend the money for it.

[Huskers69]

The 85mm f/1.8 is the gold standard for low light lenses.

+1 on this. It is an amazing lens.

[Mike R]

In additon to all the shooting advice already given,Try to stand behind the judges table.
+1 on the 85 f/.8 (I shoot at f/2.2)

[bradthomas]

Thanks everybody! However, what's the B&S Board?

[DDCSD]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14

Be careful! ;)

[bradthomas]

THX....picked one up last night from B&H...we'll see how it goes.