Suggested settings for indoor sports?

[aldog]

I've been having a hard time getting good pictures for lacrosse games I've been taking pictures of. I have to take them really dark in order to reduce blur, I can make them look pretty good with post processing, but I thought it'd be nice to just shoot it right the first time and not have to do so much post work.

I have a fuji s5100 camera. and the location is an indoor fieldhouse, they have overhead lighting and it's pretty well lit, it's at night so even though there are windows there won't be any natural light.
thanks in advanced.

[jaol]

I take basketball pictures and I had fuji s6500fd. I never got good shots with it. It just isn't good enough in poor light condition. Now I have Canon EOS 40D and I shoot with f1.4- f2.8 canon lenses. It is huge different to fuji's built in lens. I can get to 1/100 - 1/500 shutter speeds that was just a dream with fuji...

Edit:
It's been quiet for a while - just notice that I reply rather old message

[skydog]

I agree with jaol...inside areas are terrible for light if you want to capture fast action. You need a fast lens f2.8 or lower and shoot high ISO..1600 or 3200.

[CJ Swartz]

You need to shoot at a shutter speed of 1/250 or higher to reduce action blur. Your camera is limited, I believe, to an ISO of 400. It has a reasonably fast 2.8-3.1 lens. What settings have you been using? Have you been shooting wide open at 2.8, at the highest ISO, at shutter speeds of 1/250 - 1/500? What shooting mode are you using - manual, shutter priority, auto...?
Have you looked at the EXIF info on your best shots to see what settings have been working best?

Are you considering the purchase of a more expensive, faster camera/lens combination, or do you need to work within the limits of this camera?


You might find this pro's tips interesting:

http://www.astropix.com/SPORTSPIX/NSC/TIPS06.HTM

[TreesOfMyTime]

Originally Posted by CJ Swartz

You need to shoot at a shutter speed of 1/250 or higher to reduce action blur. Your camera is limited, I believe, to an ISO of 400. It has a reasonably fast 2.8-3.1 lens. What settings have you been using? Have you been shooting wide open at 2.8, at the highest ISO, at shutter speeds of 1/250 - 1/500? What shooting mode are you using - manual, shutter priority, auto...?
Have you looked at the EXIF info on your best shots to see what settings have been working best?

Are you considering the purchase of a more expensive, faster camera/lens combination, or do you need to work within the limits of this camera?


You might find this pro's tips interesting:

http://www.astropix.com/SPORTSPIX/NSC/TIPS06.HTM

Great advice and link! I notice that you omit the 500 f4 which I use! Do you think that lens is to unwieldy or too slow at f4 with a 1.4 TC? Certainly a lot os sports photogs are using it!

[skydog]

Don..500 f4 is great for outdoor sports..but not very good for a low lit indoor field house.

[TreesOfMyTime]

Yes, Right after i posted, I realized that I was think about my football, rugby shooting I use my use my 70-200 f2.8 or with the 1.4 TC or wider fast lenses alone on Basketball. Thanks!

Last nights game has me a little sleep derived after getting crushed!

[jasz]

you need:

Canon 1d III and a bunch of Canon L primes, and then you are good to go..

This camera is amazing at high ISO´s .. iso 1600 is like ISO 400 on other cameras

Jasz