Some advice on ISO settings...

[BuS_RiDeR]

I am planning a few outings in the near future to shoot some local minor hockey league games. The plan is to test my skills (or lack of...) with a bit of action photography.

Since I will not be using a flash, I was wondering what ISO setting you would recommend. I will be using a tripod.

I plan to try at ISO 400-800 and move up from there, depending on the results.

Am I on the right path or should I start at a higher ISO setting? (1200 or even higher?)

Any constructive advice is appreciated.

[Mike]

You'd be better off with a monopod if you need to use a support as it will allow greater movement (sports are usually fast paced so you'll need to keep up).

What gear will you be using? Start with setting a shutter speed and aperture to suit and then adjust your iso until you can get your shot exposed correctly.

[BuS_RiDeR]

Sorry... My gear:
Canon 50D
Canon EF 75-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 III
Canon EF-S 17-85 USM IS 1:4.0-5.6

[JeffreyG]

Sorry... My gear:
Canon 50D
Canon EF 75-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 III
Canon EF-S 17-85 USM IS 1:4.0-5.6

Don't bother with a tripod, the player action will require a shutter speed that you can handhold in any case.

Given your collection of very slow lenses, I'd start with ISO3200 and be prepared to go up from there. A lot of indoor sports venues are in the neighborhood of ISO3200, f/2 and 1/800 kind of range.

Given you will be at f/5.6 at best, you might well be looking at a best shutter speed of only 1/100 even at ISO3200. That is too slow for hockey.

[BuS_RiDeR]

Due to the fact I can't affort any better lenses ATM, I was worried of that JeffreyG. Thanks for your input.

--- Mark ---

[JeffreyG]

Lot's of people fear high ISO noise, but dark and or blurry pictures are worse. Use a shutter speed high enough to stop action and get an exposure that is correct (note that your camera meter is going to be very wrong when it is looking at an expanse of white ice) first.

After you have dealt with blur and exposure you might have to fix the noise in post processing. The 50D will need some help at ISO3200 and some kind of noiseware will absolutely be required if you have to go to ISO6400.

But you may well be able to get usable small print / web sized images even up at ISO6400.

[BuS_RiDeR]

Thanks

[patwill]

Sorry... My gear:
Canon 50D
Canon EF 75-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 III
Canon EF-S 17-85 USM IS 1:4.0-5.6

Due to the fact I can't affort any better lenses ATM, I was worried of that JeffreyG. Thanks for your input.

--- Mark ---

If you are serious about shooting indoor sports you will have to reshape your lens arsenal. You need fast aperture glass. I think you could do this without an infusion of cash by selling the 17-85 and buying a 85mm f1.8 and a 50mm f1.8. You should come out about even moneywise and will be properly equipped to get started on shooting hockey. You won't have a very long reach so you'll be limited to shooting when the action comes near to your vantage point, but at least you will have proper glass to capture it when it's close enough. Even with the 50D's 15 megapixels heavy cropping of high-ISO files can increase the noise to undesirable levels.

[lespaulowner]

Shoot at program mode and see what the settings are. Then go manual and adjust from there. If you're not able to work out the shutter speed and aperture from there THEN bump the ISO a bit.