Evening Criterium advice

[primalcarl]

Going to be following a cycling criterium race which starts at 7pm in a couple of weeks. I can't find out how many laps the race is but chances are after an hour it's going to be getting gloomy.

My problem is I''ve only got one lens for my 40D at the moment, a 135L. I won't be able to go for any wide angle panning corner shots, so will be a bit more limited in my style of shot.

I've never experimented much with flash, and unless I can get hold of a Speedlite before then I'm going to be left with the on-board flash, less than ideal and long recharge times!

Has anyone got any advice for shooting night cycling with flash? Second curtain but what sync speed?

[DDCSD]

Sync speed will be dependent on the amount of ambient light that is available and the amount that you need to achieve your desired effect.

[emtp563]

Don't even bother going if all you're going to be using is the on-board flash. Forget about all your other questions, if you don't have a speedlight, you might as well just keep the camera at home.

If it starts at 7pm, you might get in 45min-1hr. of shooting time. Crank up the ISO to 1600 and the aperture to f/2.0 and see what shutter speeds you can get with ambient light. Don't even bother with the pop-up flash, the results will be HORRIBLE.

[Biffbradford]

Don't even bother going if all you're going to be using is the on-board flash. Forget about all your other questions, if you don't have a speedlight, you might as well just keep the camera at home.

If it starts at 7pm, you might get in 45min-1hr. of shooting time. Crank up the ISO to 1600 and the aperture to f/2.0 and see what shutter speeds you can get with ambient light. Don't even bother with the pop-up flash, the results will be HORRIBLE.

I respectfully disagree. ;)

This past weekend, I used up the batteries in my Speedlight before the end of the Pro race and was forced to use the on board flash because it was 6pm and raining and I had to have a flash. Results weren't 'great', but I got the shots I needed! Is he sharp? Nope, but I'm shooting through the rain so even with the Speedlight, it wouldn't be perfect.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/SnakeAlley1292.jpg


Make - Canon
Model - Canon EOS 40D
ExposureTime - 1/250 seconds
FNumber - 3.50
ExposureProgram - Manual control
ISOSpeedRatings - 200
ShutterSpeedValue - 1/256 seconds
ApertureValue - F 3.51
ExposureBiasValue - 0
Flash - Flash fired, Compulsory flash mode
FocalLength - 200 mm
ExposureMode - Manual
White Balance - Auto
Quality - RAW
Flash mode - External flash
Focus mode - AI Focus
Image size - Large
Easy shooting mode - Manual
Digital zoom - None
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - Low , -32769
ISO Value - 32767
Metering mode - Evaluative
Focus type - Auto
AF point selected -
Exposure mode - Manual
Focal length - 70 - 200 mm (1 mm)

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/SnakeAlley1304.jpg

Secondly, you should be able to find out how many laps the race is ... the racers have to know! Google the event and you should find information somewhere.

Lastly, crank up the ISO to 1600 on the 40D if you have to, then use "Noiseware" to clean them up after. I have to do this when shooting track racing as late as 10pm under marginal lights and it's 'okay'. I refuse to use a flash at the track, it's too dangerous for the riders to be distracting them while they race.

Never say never. Just give it a try! :mrgreen:

[emtp563]

Well, if you think your tiny little on-board flash can light up a subject at a distance greater than 15-20ft tops, then I guess I wasted a boatload of cash on flash equipment. Oh well, maybe I'll sell it all and buy a new lens or better yet sell my 1D's and get something that comes with a pop-up flash ;-)

[Biffbradford]

Well ... after driving 5 hours to get there, I use up my batteries just before the finish, and I've got 3 laps to decide on what to do ...

:mrgreen:

[emtp563]

True, better than nothing ;-) Damn, that's a long way to drive. Three is my limit, and that's the absolute max.

[Biffbradford]

Yeah, that is a haul, but I hadn't been there for over 20 years since I last raced there and I'm glad I went! :) I guess, if I'm going to through all that trouble, next time I'll bring an extra - extra set of batteries along. ;)