Settings Help Please

Okay. I just joined your forum today, and I need help. I have recently purchased a Canon D10, and I was wondering what settings you guys would advice for taking photos of figure skaters...here's my situation

Most Figure Skating events are low-lit. Actually they are completely lights out. You can not see anything but the skaters on the ice, who are in a spotlight.

Figure Skaters Travel very very fast.

All figure skating events have the same rule NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. A Flash can distract a skater who is skating, and could result in serious injury.

Often, but not always, the seating is further back, so a lot of zoom is needed.

Now, as I'm just learning to use this camera, and am fairly, (but not quite) new to photography, what would you guys suggest I put my settings to. Also, if anyone else has a D10, could you maybe provide a few more specific instructions on how to change those settings to those things in case I am unsure.

I am looking for crisp clear photos that are well lit, without blur. I would like to be able to capture expression and emotion as well as the action, so they need to be very clear pictures.

Thanks so much in advance.

ISO 800 and a fast lens, which is going to cost a pretty penny.
Example: Canon 85mm f/1.2 which will equal a 136mm lens with the Canon 10D (1.6x) (also/or you might want to shoot in RAW so you can adjust exposure/brightness)

My two cents worth. 8^D

The 10D gives more than acceptable results at ISO 800, so that should work OK. I'd use manual, so you can set shutter speed fast enough to avoid shake and blur and then work out what aperture settings will give acceptable exposure.

If you are handholding the lens, then my advice for slowest shutter speed would be the reciprocal of twice the focal length, e.g., with a 200 mm lens, use a minimum of 1/400 sec. I don't know whether would be fast enough to "freeze" the skaters , you have to do some testing.

Although the arena may be dark, I would think that the spotlights could be quite bright, so getting an acceptable exposure should be reasonably easy.

Change the AF to use the centre point only, and use AI servo.

Regards,

Consider a monopod for stable shots -- less bulky than a tripod and will help you shoot at lower shutter speeds.

You might also need a longer lens than 85mm (136 effective) depending on how far back in the stands you are.

While you want sharp shots, you might play with slower shutter speeds, where there's a hint of movement (say in the arms and legs) but the face is sharp. You can also get a feel of movement by panning, where the skater is sharp but the background shows movement. All of this takes practice to find good shutter speeds and panning timing, but the photos can be rewarding. The nice thing about digital is that practice is cheap and the feedback is (nearly) immediate.

Have fun taking shots.