Help on camera settings

Discussion in 'Badminton Photography' started by Sealman, Dec 6, 2006.

  1. Sealman

    Sealman Regular Member

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    Hi,

    I am very new to photography. Here's a shot I took at a youth tournament in a badminton hall. It was very dark at the spectators stand and the lighting was mainly focused on the courts. I used a friend's Canon 350D with 18-55mm kit lens and ISO was set to 1600 but I was unable to 'freeze' the shot.

    As I have limited photography/camera knowledge, I cannot figure out what's wrong with the camera settings. My guess was the aperture/shutter speed were incorrect? (How do you set this? Sorry I do not have the manual).

    Would appreciate your help. Thanks.
     

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    #1 Sealman, Dec 6, 2006
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  2. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    Congratulations on trying badminton photography.

    The subject is blurred indicating the shutter speed is not fast enough i.e. the shutter is open for too long (maybe 1/60th of a second). The players can move within this time frame and the camera picks up all of this movement.

    You did the right thing in setting the ISO to 1600. It would have been worse if you had a lower ISO. Can you give a little more information on the camera settings? Did you set to program mode?
     
    #2 Cheung, Dec 6, 2006
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2006
  3. storkbill

    storkbill Regular Member

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    it is not possible to freeze motion with a 18-55 lens at Toa Payoh SH, even with iso 1600. The lighting in Toa Payoh SH is about half as bright (or twice as dim :D ) as Indoor Stadium (estimated). Even a 70-200 f/2.8 may not be enough at TPSH
     
  4. Sealman

    Sealman Regular Member

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    Thanks for the replies guys.

    Cheung, the mode was set to Aperture Priority mode, AI Focus, Metering mode -"evaluative metering" :confused:. I think the aperture was set at 5.6. Not sure about the shutter speed.

    Wonder how professional photographers cover such events given the dim lighting and no flash photography allowed. Using top-end lens doesnt help?
     
  5. zasboy

    zasboy Regular Member

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    I looked at the EXIF tag from the image provided by Sealman. This is what I got from it:

    Make: Canon
    Model Canon: EOS 350D DIGITAL
    Exposure program: Aperture priority
    ISO speed ratings ISO 1600
    Shutter speed value : 1/50 s
    Aperture value: f/5.6
    Exposure bias value: 0.00 eV
    Metering mode: Average
    Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
    Focal length: 41 mm

    There's more details in the EXIF tag but I think the information I provided above should be enough to make some analysis. If more information is needed, I can provide the rest.
     
  6. Sealman

    Sealman Regular Member

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    Hi zasboy, may I know what's a EXIF tag? can you tell me how did you go about geting these details? Thanks.
     
  7. zasboy

    zasboy Regular Member

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    Sealman: EXIF tags are embedded data that contain various information such as camera settings, description of image, comments, etc. The most common use of EXIF tags is storing camera settings so that when you go view your image, you know what camera settings you used on it.

    *Assuming you're using a Window operating system
    - Right click the image
    - Click on Properties
    - Click on the "Summary" tag
    - If you're in "Simple" mode, click on the "Advanced" button

    That's it. You should be able to view all the camera settings that was used to take the specific picture.

    There are softwares that can view EXIF tags and edit them. You can write various information in the EXIF tag and save it. Some example information could be description on the image, comments, author, etc.
     
    #7 zasboy, Dec 7, 2006
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2006
  8. Sealman

    Sealman Regular Member

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    thank you zasboy.
     
  9. morewood

    morewood Regular Member

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    Shutter speed needs to be 250ths or higher. Aperture depends on available light.
     
  10. red00ecstrat

    red00ecstrat Regular Member

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    in that case. instead of using a fast lens. nothing can really help.
    anyway, i gotta say u did a very good job on your photo with a shutter speed of 1/50 sec.:) just keep practicing.
     
  11. storkbill

    storkbill Regular Member

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    They don't really cover such events except local press who just take posed shots of the players. Such events are very low priority. Which publication would actually want good action shots from such an event? answer: no one. They would rather have a pic of Lin Dan / top ranked player.
     
  12. Aaronmd

    Aaronmd Regular Member

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    You did the best you could considering your equipment limitations. based on your settings the lighting seemed to be terrible. With faster glass you could have hit 1/200 or so at f2.8.
     
  13. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    Which still may not be good enough...Might need 1/350th
     
  14. red00ecstrat

    red00ecstrat Regular Member

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    i found that 1/400 sec is the minimum requirement.
     
  15. AChan

    AChan Regular Member

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    I suggest 1/400 or faster for MD, 1/320 for LS,LD,MS.
     
  16. red00ecstrat

    red00ecstrat Regular Member

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    i tried that before. 1/320 sec wasn't fast enough to freeze certain kinda actions. 1/400 sec is definately better and safer.;)
     
  17. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    For this particular tournament, the shutter speed might not need to be so short (Youth tournament). Who am I to say anyway?:D
     
  18. red00ecstrat

    red00ecstrat Regular Member

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    in fact, i was talking to u cheung.:D remember i said "certain kinda actions"?
    shaky hand is one of them!;) :D
     
  19. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    Hey, dont blame the person - it's always the equipment that's a problem - just like badminton. hehehe
     
  20. red00ecstrat

    red00ecstrat Regular Member

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

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