JeffreyG wrote in post #8760429
This is going to be exceedingly difficult with the lens you have because it has such a slow maximum aperture. I shoot sports, and as the evening approaches you will find yourself shooting wide open and at ever high ISO levels.
The main problem is that you are going to run out of ISO levels with an f/5.6 lens, and the noise from ISO3200 and up (pushed) on a 30D is not likely to make for salable prints. Under most outside lighting setups (short of pro sports) you will need about ISO6400 to shoot f/5.6 and 1/400. Also, I'd call 1/400 pretty marginal for tennis. Any shot with a swing happening is going to have a blurred bracket at that speed.
Here is an example. This is right at sundown with field lights on. f/4, 1/500 and ISO3200. Note the hand blur. And once the sun was really down in this game it was about another 1.5 stops darker.
Thanks for the repies! I figured those would be the answers especially given my limitations with lens. I shot an adult tournament a few months ago, same club, and so knew my limitations with the courts. I am also a tennis player. I just did not push the ISO setting that much, maybe 1200, as I recall.
I can get away with 1/400 on certain shots Jeffrey but as stated would be my minimum and timing key. Players preparing to serve, return serve, some net play, and even at the height of ball toss on serve. Most players, good or bad, will slow the swing motion at some point just before actually striking the ball on serve. Typically at apex of ball and just before downward drop of racket. This can also be the case on ground strokes as better players prepare earlier and thus you get a pose. I would not get the ball in any of those instances, with exception of serve, but do have opportunities for some good shots. All of this depends on player style and just how dim the lighting gets of course.
Any suggestions on drumming up more sales at such an event? Thanks!
