Indoor Volleyball 7D ISO 6400 - Need Help

I have 3 daughters playing volleyball this season and I really need to improve my shots, or my PP technique...either way, I am asking for some help or tips on how to end up with better shots. So far I feel like I can get fairly decent shots for computer viewing but not print-worthy.

I'm using a 7D with my 70-200 - No flash allowed and I can't really justify buying equipment to strobe the gym. Settings are f/2.8 - ISO 6400 - Tv mode set at 1/800 for action.

PP is using Aperture with NoiseNinja plug-in - bumped luminance up to 13, sharpness up to 155 and radius at 40.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Here is a sample.

That is good, and I don't think of anything that can be improved.

but in saying that, IMHO, I'd bump up the brightness a bit, and desaturate a bit, but that's just me

That was quick...Thanks. I'm not so great with PP so I will try any suggestions.

That's good light in that gym. You could invest in a 135L and shoot a little wider. I'm if you can get another 1/3 stop of light or so you can bring the ISO to 3200 and 1/500 sec which is plenty. You could also desaturate the background a little so the subject pops out more.

For lighting reference, I shoot my D1 college team at ISO 6400, f/2, 1/500 sec.

You can slow that shutter way down for younger kids the action isnt that fast. Try 1/400 that may get you down to ISO3200 but you really need faster glass. The EF-85mm 1.8 is great for volleyball and @ $350 its a bargain.

The 135L is about the perfect volleyball lens depending on floor access. The 85 1.8 is nice as well.

I tend to shoot with the 70-200 2.8...have tried the 24-70 several times and didn't like it.

Your shoot looks pretty good and you there is some good advice in here on how to improve. Like they said you could probably lower your shutter speed a bit.

Jon

mrbtd wrote in post #10962791
You can slow that shutter way down for younger kids the action isnt that fast. Try 1/400 that may get you down to ISO3200 but you really need faster glass. The EF-85mm 1.8 is great for volleyball and @ $350 its a bargain.

Exactly what I was going to say! lol I love my 85mm for the gym.

mrbtd wrote in post #10962791
You can slow that shutter way down for younger kids the action isnt that fast. Try 1/400 that may get you down to ISO3200 but you really need faster glass. The EF-85mm 1.8 is great for volleyball and @ $350 its a bargain.

Is 1/400th OK for volleyball? It seems like you'd get a lot of motion blur at that speed.

Have you tried any +EC?

Mark II wrote in post #10963399
Have you tried any +EC?

Should be plenty fast for that age. I shoot D1 college at 1/500, 1/640 is my fastest. A little motion blur won't hurt you, its implies motion.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/s_olszewski/4​979055954/

Agree...this is 320....

Thanks for all the tips. I don't think I'll be buying any glass soon but a 135L f/2 or 85L f/1.2 would be my choice if I did. I can slow the shutter to about 1/500 but get some hand-blur along with the ball-blur. I think 1/640 is about the slowest I can go and still freeze their hands with minimal ball-blur. I used to go slower with my old 40D but something about the 7D makes me need a slightly faster shutter (although I could never get the high ISO performance on my 40D).

I have the EC set at +2 but not sure if it helps when shooting RAW...if anyone knows, please inform me. I left it on just in case.

The 85 L is a sweet lens, but I sure wouldn't use it for volleyball....

The 100mm f/2.0 would allow a lot more light in there and with your crop factor, you would still have
some good reach. This lens and 85/1.8 work real well on both volly and basketball. 85 L I've been told
is not all that fast to focus.

Joemt.

I'm confused.... The original shot posted looks great. What's the problem? I'm sure it would print just fine at 4x6, 5x7 maybe even 8x10?