The funniest pictures that i captured is this one.. Look at what Fu's right hand is aiming at..looks like he's going to smash Alvent's......
My first foray into shooting badminton three weeks ago was a complete failure, so I'm going to try again in the upcoming weeks. However, I currently only have the kit lens for my Olympus EP3 (14-42mm f3.5-5.6) so I think the lens might be partially to fault because at higher ISO and shutter speed, I need a bigger aperture, right? What settings are you guys using for very averagely lit stadiums and halls? I'm thinking something like ISO1600-3200, f3.5 (probably not enough), 1/200ths sec. as a starting point.
^^^^ Ideally - Full frame sensor DSLR (you can pump up to iso to 8000 or 16000 without grains!) Lenses with aperture F2.8 or F1.8 Monopod External flash (if permitted) Soon I am going to try Tamron 17-50 F2.8, which I am about to acquire. I have not seen anybody trying it in a badminton court. Will post my results here. I get decent results with 50mm F1.8 lens but 50mm is a fixed focal lenght lens.
Probably not enough no, 1/200 is also too slow to freeze action (more like 1/500 minimally). But you have plenty of opportunity to experiment ...
Yes. 1/200 would not freeze any action.... 1/500 or 1/1000 might work. But images will be way too dark even by using F1.8 aperture in a badly lit hall. So full frame camera or flash are the only option which remain.
Go back to the first page of this thread to see the principles of the equipment that are needed for action shots. Average gym requires ISO 3200, f2.8, 1/320 - but be prepared that the light may be even worse.
Yeah I don't think the EP3 with the kit lens would be able to do that. With similar lighting to a badminton hall, shooting static objects at ISO1600 - f4 - 1/20th second, I'm getting levels of grain that would only make for hokey internet publishing quality shots only. Forget about shooting higher than 1/20th as they're woefully underexposed. Even then the shots can be a little underexposed but can be made acceptable post-processed if I shoot raw.
One of the guys at my club. Taken with a D7000 + 50mm 1.8G. I think I'm at a fairly good spot with my exposure and shutter speed for this gym, trying to improve my composition and timing now. Comments?
The third one is the best of the four. Mainly for the timing. However it looks like the pole is in the way. Facial expressions can add a lot to the photo but we don't see any in this series. There are discussions on whether a shuttle should be in the picture. Many will say 'it depends'.
Thanks guy.. =) Used a Nikon D3000+Tamron 70-300mm for the 2012 event, went again to the 2013 event with upgraded equipments: Nikon D7000+Sigma 150-500mm..
