HS Night football- mediocre lighting

<p>I'm slowly working out all the details with my night shooting at the games. I've found that staying well to sidelines and about 20yards away at 135mm gives me the best shots. I've been shooting around 1/250, 5.6, with 800 ISO; but am still having to do alot of post processing to compensate for the darkness. I find that using the flash is a must to stop the action. The coach doesn't mind me there and has said no one has complained about the flash and he doesn't notice, so it's ok. I'm considering buying an external flash to boost the lighting, but not sure what to get. any suggestions? Playoffs are this weekend, so time is short :). (I have a Nikon D60 and am using the 55-200mm lens)</p>

<p>Sample photo- <a href="http://www.photo.net/photos/ecomeaux">photo.net/photos/ecomeaux</a></p><div></div>

<p>Hey Elane. The simple answer is to increase your ISO and to use a faster aperture like f/2.8. I'm shooting with a Nikon D300 and last week my settings were ISO 3200, 1/320 sec., f/2.8. I don't think the images look all that good at this ISO on my camera and I wouldn't suggest you go to 3200 with a D60 (1600 max).</p>

<p>I too have used flash for friday night football but find that I often get terrible red-eye if I don't get the flash away from the camera. The longer the focal length, the further the flash must get from the lens. A good flash bracket (Stroboframe, Custom Brackets, etc.) and flash extension cable (Nikon SC-28 or SC-29) will help.</p>

<p>To sum it up, you'll probably need a faster lens, a better noise controlling camera, or a bracket + cable for your flash, or all three! I have to say, my trusty 80-200 f/2.8 is probably my most valuable tool for situations like this. Look around and you'll find a good deal on a used one.<br>

<br />Good luck!</p><div></div>

<p>Hi - the 55-200 isn't really the optimum lens for night time or inside typical gyms sports shooting. The best option is a constant aperture f2.8 lens, or even better, and more $$$, is an f2.0 lens - which is likely a prime, fixed focal length.<br>

Your D60 probably doesn't go to an ISO of 3200, but you should try higher ISO to get faster shutter speeds. Wider aperture is better also, as it lets more light hit the sensor, but it changes on your lens as you zoom in & out.<br>

So, perhaps on your D60, try an ISO of 1600, shutter of 1/400 (set shutter priority) and let aperture change with the zooming (focal length) changes. This is without using the on camera flash.<br>

With an off camera flash, see if you can find an SB800 on EBAY or maybe a local camera store will have some left. It's a great flash but it has been 'replaced' by the SB900 by Nikon. You can use most any brand flash as long as it made for use on a Nikon body. Get the most expensive one you can afford of which ever brand since it gives you more light power. Have extra charged batteries, ie. 2-3 sets, also! Another thing, on the D60 the highest flash synch is 1/250 sec shutter speed. so, you maybe able to use a lower ISO than 1600, which will give you less grain/noise to mess with in PP. With the flash set on iTTL, it will vary its output as your aperture changes, as you zoom. As I have not used mine for night football, just go out, start with 1/250, ISO of 1000 and see what you get. Many/most pros use the flash attached to a monopod with a cord between flash and camera. With the flash at about mid-thigh height it sends light upward which lights the players faces better. They tend to be running with their heads tilted down.<br>

Back to constant aperture lenses - good mid price lense is the 70-200 f2.8 HSM II by Sigma. Might find an earlier version - not the II current version - for sale used. at lower price. New price is around $800. The Nikon version is around $1800!! I'm intending to sell my earlier version - now being cleaned up, adjuste at Sigma - for $650.00. also, have a Sigma 500 Super flash I would like to sell.<br>

Steve</p>

 

<p>Flash (IMO) is not a good idea for sports, it typically gives players bad red-eye and if they are far away, doesn't have enough power to really help. I never use flash for sports, but have invested in fast lenses. I'd suggest you look at either a 100mm f2.8 or 70-200mm f2.8 that won't break the bank. Or something in that range. I shoot Canon, and usually use either a 200mm f2.8L prime or an 85mm f1.8 prime depending on what I'm trying to capture. I'm still saving for a 70-200 f2.8.</p>

<p>Ramp up the ISO as high as it will go and try to get your shutter speed up to 1/400 or 1/500.</p><div></div>

<p>Taken with a Canon 5D Mark 2 ISO 1600 f2.8 center weighted continuous shooting:<br>

http://www.flickr.com/photos/de_val/sets/72157622706927284/<br>

Field lights cause havoc with the white balance.</p>

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<p>As I always suggest, find a camera shop that will rent you the expensive gear so you can play with it before you decide what to buy. Good luck. Dave.</p>