Help on camera settings

**red00ecstrat** · 12-07-2006, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Cheung

For this particular tournament, the shutter speed might not need to be so short (Youth tournament). Who am I to say anyway?

in fact, i was talking to u cheung.

remember i said "certain kinda actions"?
shaky hand is one of them!

***Cheung*** · 12-07-2006, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by red00ecstrat

in fact, i was talking to u cheung.

remember i said "certain kinda actions"?
shaky hand is one of them!

Hey, dont blame the person - it's always the equipment that's a problem - just like badminton. hehehe

**red00ecstrat** · 12-07-2006, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Cheung

Hey, dont blame the person - it's always the equipment that's a problem - just like badminton. hehehe

lol.......problem of equipment! it's always my excuse!

**zasboy** · 12-07-2006, 12:52 PM

I agree with the camera settings. The shutter speed should be faster. Looks like people are saying to use 1/400. Try that

Also, I believe the F-stop(aperture) on the 18-55 kit len is 3.5-5.6. So you could of tried using a lower F-stop and see if that helps. Using ISO 1600 was a good choice. The noise level in your picture is acceptable in my opinion. Maybe with some post-processing, you can clean it up a bit. Keep on experimenting but it looks like it your equipments has reached it's limit.

**red00ecstrat** · 12-07-2006, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by zasboy

but it looks like it your equipments has reached it's limit.

Yes, that's totally correct. As u had found out some info of the picture.
Lens: 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6
Focal length: 41 mm
Aperture value: f/5.6
Shutter speed value : 1/50 s
ISO speed ratings ISO 1600
Indeed, the aperture had already been opened completely. Because with that kit lens set at 41mm, the actual maximum aperture would be F/5.6 rather than F/3.5.

**Sealman** · 12-07-2006, 09:53 PM

many thanks for the excellent feedback

**Sealman** · 12-07-2006, 09:58 PM

red00ecstrat, may I know how do you calculate this?

Originally Posted by red00ecstrat

Indeed, the aperture had already been opened completely. Because with that kit lens set at 41mm, the actual maximum aperture would be F/5.6 rather than F/3.5.

would appreciate if someone could recommend me some books/websites on the basics of photography. would it be necessary to attend courses?

**taneepak** · 12-07-2006, 11:38 PM

For indoor sports photography with a dslr a lens with a max. apereture of a true f/2.8, or if a rangefinder digital camera a max. aperture of a true f/4, is desirable. Of course an f/2 lens will even be better. The humble tripod, even those that you use on your shoulder, can be of great help.

**red00ecstrat** · 12-08-2006, 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by Sealman

red00ecstrat, may I know how do you calculate this?

Sealman, it wasn't a calculation. According to zasboy and your information. A 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 zoom lens was used to take that shot. The meaning of F3.5-5.6 is that. At 18mm, the maximum aperture value of your zoom lens is F/3.5. But if u zoom from 18mm to 55mm. Due to the design of that lens. The actual aperture value will decrease from F/3.5 to F/5.6.
And u were using Aperture priority right? With aperture set at F/5.6 (maximum). In order to obtain a proper exposed picture. The computer inside your camera had decided to set the shutter speed to 1/50 sec. That means, with maximum aperture of F/5.6. The fastest possible shutter speed in that situation will be 1/50 sec. That's the best that u and your gear can do at that time.

Originally Posted by Sealman

would appreciate if someone could recommend me some books/websites on the basics of photography. would it be necessary to attend courses?

I would recommend u to go through the owner's manual first. After that, u will have a basic concept of the relationship between aperture and shutter speed. moreover, u will also know more about the shooting mode, af mode and other functions of your camera.

***Cheung*** · 12-08-2006, 05:24 AM

Sealman, you can try the library for a book on photography. Pick a book that is quite thin. That will give simple explanations.

**roby2003** · 12-08-2006, 08:06 AM

Sealman,

One of my favourite website is wwww.dpreview.com, check it out.

**akt921** · 12-08-2006, 04:13 PM

You can try to use a faster lens with aperture value i.e. F2.8 or faster in order to shoot at a higher shutter speed. But I kinda like your picture cos it shows the action/motion pretty well.

**Sealman** · 12-11-2006, 12:29 AM

Guys thanks for the replies. Will try to read up more on photography. Guess I need to save up for a faster lens...

**storkbill** · 12-11-2006, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by Sealman

Guys thanks for the replies. Will try to read up more on photography. Guess I need to save up for a faster lens...

Based on the provided exposure data:
Focal length: 41 mm
Aperture value: f/5.6
Shutter speed value : 1/50 s
ISO speed ratings ISO 1600

Getting a f/2.8 lens will not help you take action shots at TPSH because the shutter speed will only be 1/200, which is not fast enough to capture action. An f/2 lens will bring the speed up to 1/400, and canon has a reasonably priced 135mm f/2 (lucky you bought a Canon

)

**Sealman** · 12-11-2006, 01:57 AM

Originally Posted by storkbill

Getting a f/2.8 lens will not help you take action shots at TPSH because the shutter speed will only be 1/200, which is not fast enough to capture action. An f/2 lens will bring the speed up to 1/400, and canon has a reasonably priced 135mm f/2 (lucky you bought a Canon

)

storkbill, thanks for the local input.

u must be a canon fan? I borrowed the 350d from a friend. just checked the price guide on clubsnap. a 135mm f/2 will set me back by S$800

PS. Finally decided to join the dark side and bought a d70s. u taking in any photography students?

***kwun*** · 12-11-2006, 03:26 AM

here is actually a good place to start:

http://www.badmintoncentral.com/foru...ad.php?t=36726

we have explained the camera exposure settings and the relevance to badminton...

**morewood** · 12-11-2006, 08:29 AM

Yep a pro would be using a better quality lens than that bundled with a 350d, something like an EF85mm L f/1.2 would be ideal but then your talking big bucks for the lens on its own.

http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/ a guide to photography, bear in mind you can always learn new tricks even if you have been using a camera for years and years.