Basketball Pics (Frist time) C & C appreciated

First time shooting basketball. Shooting with a 20D and 85 f/1.8 in manual mode. RAW output in AI Servo mode. First time shooting manual which I liked. I did not like how many of the pictures were not crisp in focus (which could be a result of shooting wide open?). I did not use a custom white ballance which I will try next time and only shoot in JPG. I am guessing/hoping that shooting in JPG will allow a faster frame rate and therefore a better focus for shooting AI servo when shooting multiple frames.

Thanks for comments. Editing allowed.

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Merciez wrote in post #2347643
I did not like how many of the pictures were not crisp in focus (which could be a result of shooting wide open?)

I think you're right .... the DOF wide open with a 1.8 lens is just razor thin. If your focus is not DEAD ON, then you will notice it.

Merciez wrote in post #2347643
I am guessing/hoping that shooting in JPG will allow a faster frame rate and therefore a better focus for shooting AI servo when shooting multiple frames.

Your frame rate will remain the same ... however, the difference will be how quickly your buffer fills up with RAW vs. JPEG. You'll be able to shoot more frames in jpg before your buffer fills up than with RAW .... but at the same 5 fps. And your focus is not dependent on your choice of file types: RAW or jpg. Focus is focus: if it's in focus, it doesn't matter if you're shooting RAW or jpg.

Good shots, though. If this gym is like most I've shot in, setting a custom white balance will render some of your shots correctly, but not all of them ....these gym lights cycle - and that will shoot any consistent color rendering right out the door. That's why RAW is usefull in these situations (although not mandatory) because you can correct the white balance easier with RAW files than with jpg (at least, in my experience). You can correct color balance in jpgs, too - it just takes a little longer.

cecilc wrote in post #2348161
Good shots, though. If this gym is like most I've shot in, setting a custom white balance will render some of your shots correctly, but not all of them ....these gym lights cycle - and that will shoot any consistent color rendering right out the door. That's why RAW is usefull in these situations (although not mandatory) because you can correct the white balance easier with RAW files than with jpg (at least, in my experience). You can correct color balance in jpgs, too - it just takes a little longer.

How can one tell if the lights used in a gym are of a cycling nature? The gym these images were captured in is a new gym (three years old) and I did not notice any change in lighting.

cecilc wrote in post #2348161
I think you're right .... the DOF wide open with a 1.8 lens is just razor thin. If your focus is not DEAD ON, then you will notice it.

Sounds like the answer might be to step the lens down to f/2.0 and use a slower shutter speed at 1/400s.

Any other suggestions for improving the photographer?

Thanks,

Merciez wrote in post #2348614
How can one tell if the lights used in a gym are of a cycling nature?

Shoot a burst of about 5 or 6 shots (or just shoot a burst for a full second) ..... then review your shots on the LCD .... if the lights cycle, then you'll see a definite color shift between the shots you just took. Some shifts will be more marked than others, but the color shifts will be there.

I'd stop the lens down to f/2.2 and continue to use RAW. I've not had a problem with my buffer filling up too quickly. Just get the timing down, and you'll be fine.