Gymnastics Advice for new DSLR

Thanks so much for all the advice!

I went to my daughter's practice last night where I played around some. I was in manual mode :
iso: 1600
shutter speed: 1/400
Metering Mode : centerweighted
AF Mode : AI Servo AF
Av : tried to set at 3.5, but would change when I played with the lens.

So, then I switched over to Av priority and got some better results. It was dark out and they only had every other light on. I noticed that in Av priority, the shutter speeds were slower so that was what helped the brightness.

I think I may invest at first in the 85mm f1.8.

I'll play around at the meet tonight and see what I get.

I've seen people mention that you can rent lens . . . how do you find out in your local area who does?

kml wrote in post #5407782
Thanks so much for all the advice!

I went to my daughter's practice last night where I played around some. I was in manual mode :
iso: 1600
shutter speed: 1/400
Metering Mode : centerweighted
AF Mode : AI Servo AF
Av : tried to set at 3.5, but would change when I played with the lens.

The reason you could not stay at f/3.5 is that your zoom lens is variable aperture. It can only be down to f/3.5 at the wide end of the zoom. As you use the longer end of the zoom range it will slow down to f/5.6 at best.

More importantly, what was the histogram looking like? You set the shutter speed and ISO like I would, but you also have a slow lens. My guess is that you were underexposing the shots with those settings (histogram bunched to the left, pictures appear dark). This tells you that you either have to compromise on shutter speed (leads to blur) or get a faster lens.

Right. The camera meter was making the compromise I mentioned above, sacrificing shutter speed to keep the shot from being very underexposed. You can do the same in M mode and still keep control of the exposure.

This will almost certainly help.

I used to be a staff photographer for a gymnastics magazine in the early 80's. ISO 1600 is too much unless you are going to use a 2.8 opening. I don't like shooting wide open..if your focus is a little off then you have lost all depth of field and the entire image is gone..I shot ISO 800 f/4 at 1/250 and made the cover at least once and published several times..yes I used film but since digital is more sensitive than film 1600 is too much.

Shooting wrote in post #5409618
I used to be a staff photographer for a gymnastics magazine in the early 80's. ISO 1600 is too much unless you are going to use a 2.8 opening. I don't like shooting wide open..if your focus is a little off then you have lost all depth of field and the entire image is gone..I shot ISO 800 f/4 at 1/250 and made the cover at least once and published several times..yes I used film but since digital is more sensitive than film 1600 is too much.

What level of gymnastics? All the little gyms I've ever shot at it would be ISO 1600, f2.8 and 1/250! I have shot a couple of college level meets and the arena had much better lighting than the ones I was used to... LOL! But when it comes to the little kids, they seem to compete in caves! LOL

Kim,

The ultimate lens for gymnastics is the 200mm F1.8 but unfortunately it will be way out of your price range at $4000+ but if your daughter ends up advancing then put it on your wish list. Beyond that I would recommend a 135 F2 that can be found for a little over $800 on the used market if you look around. In the $500 or less range I would go with the 100 F2. It will give you a little more reach than the 85 1.8. I have used it successfully in gymnastics for years.

Enjoy your shooting.
Michael

Shooting wrote in post #5409618
I used to be a staff photographer for a gymnastics magazine in the early 80's. ISO 1600 is too much unless you are going to use a 2.8 opening. I don't like shooting wide open..if your focus is a little off then you have lost all depth of field and the entire image is gone..I shot ISO 800 f/4 at 1/250 and made the cover at least once and published several times..yes I used film but since digital is more sensitive than film 1600 is too much.

Ummmm.....yes the lighting is nice at the Olympics.

Have you ever shot in the kinds of gyms where little kids compete?

ISO 3200, f/2 and 1/320 is not out of the norm. I consider ISO1600, f/2 and /400 to be a very bright gym.

Your settings (ISO800, f/4 and 1/250) are a little over 2 stops brighter than any youth gym I have been in. Those settings may work OK for college and Olympic level events but for your basic 12 year old girls they are fantastically optimistic.

I can also usually see noticeable motion blur at 1/250.

Also, this comment does not make sense to me. Why is ISO 1600 "too much" if you don't like to shoot wide open? If you prefer to shoot at ISO800 (as you stated) then 1600 will let you stop down one full stop more on the lens for greater DOF.