what shutter speed to freeze motion in a sports game?

Here's a shot taken at ambient at 1/500s and a second taken at 1/640s from this past week. 1/500s is fast enough. 1/640s is better, 1/800s even better, etc.

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lowepg wrote in post #9566419
So maybe a better question:

What SS is required for stopping sports action (assuming ambient lighting)?

With ambient lighting it all depends on the sport AND whos playing it. Obviously Middle School or JV High School basketball isnt going to move as quickly as NCAA Div1 basketball.

I would say that if you could make one huge, over-arching generality, it would have to be that 1/500 is a good place to start. Some times you might be able to go lower and sometimes you might have to go faster.

Just be aware that it is a very subjective matter and be aware that you may have to change depending on whats going on.

Gatorboy wrote in post #9568332
1/800 should give good results.

Get pretty good results with 1/400th at that level, depending exactly on what the action is.

dmwierz wrote in post #9570366
Here's a shot taken at ambient at 1/500s and a second taken at 1/640s from this past week. 1/500s is fast enough. 1/640s is better, 1/800s even better, etc.

+1.... Personally if I could I'd never drop below 1/1000 for most sports. But until the day of clean ISO 25,600 you just have to do what you can. You have to learn what you can get away with when, and learn what your willing to sacrifice first to get enough light.

I wish the answer was simpler but it isnt.

That being said.. 1/500 is a good starting point.

he was def using house strobes for that set.

i normally shoot wide open at SS 500-640. here's a few from last wk..

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