Basketball Shots

<p>I have a Canon EOS xti and need to start taking action shots of basketball. I have a 55-250mm lens, but am in need of technique and setting help! Any suggestions would be great. Also, I am not allowed to use a flash in the college gym. Thank you for any input!</p>

<p>If that is a canon lens, isn't it a f/4 - 5.6 ? If so, it will probably not be as useful as you hope.<br>

The xti being a crop body also is making your lens around 90mm on and only f/4 at the short end.<br>

I wouldn't think it will do for inside basketball.<br>

I tried my f/4 lenses and they did not do the job, too dark. And when iso was boosted so high then the photos were too noisey for use.<br>

I went to the f/2.8 lenses and they were only borderline acceptable due to the light in most of our gyms here. They were just acceptable with the only gym with good lighting we have around here, but I quit using them due to the overall IQ and all the post processing Ihad to do on them. Even though I wanted the versatility of the zooms the 50mm f/1.4 turned out to be my best as our gyms are smalll and I stay at one end or the other and wait for the action to come to me. Since I got my 7d I have more keepers, even cropped due to the better resolution.<br>

My end result was to go with the 50mm f/1.4 stopped down to f/2 and at 1/500 sec and auto iso.<br>

Also use the 85mm f/1.8 stopped down to f/2 and 1/500th sec and auto iso also and it did the job.<br>

I think you are going to have to get a different lens unless the gym you are shooting in has exceptional lighting.<br>

Best Wishes</p>

 

<p>You may need to get a faster lens (ie: f2.8 or better) and get use to ISO1600 or 800 if the gym has good light. The 55-250 at f5.6 may limit you to the bench or jump ball :-) </p>

<p>You will need some fast (ish) glass. The 50mm f1.4 might fit the bill.</p>

<p>I've tried my hand at indoor basketball with a 70-200mm f/4 with rather dismal results. f/4 just isn't fast enough. You might try ISO 1600+ and a monopod, but I wouldn't expect much. A fast 50mm would be a cheap way to attempt it.</p>

<p>I have an xti and I found when shooting basketball, the "nifty-fifty" 1.8 is a great lens, fast and is wide enough to include the ball, hoop, and face in jump shots. I also use the 85 1.8 for face shots or shots of players running up the court. with the iso at 1600 you should get a shutter speed of 1/250-1/400</p>

I agree with suggestions on the 50 f/1.8 or 1.4, as for technique, I'm not a sports shooter so unfortunately can't give very much advice in that area. I'd say the key thing is... location, location, location. Where you position yourself (or are allowed to position yourself) will have a direct impact on what lenses to choose. The common denominator though, is that you need a fast lens.

<P>Also, you say you <i>need</i> to start taking action shots? What did you mean by that? Are they for a publication? I ask because that may inform the budget (which you haven't mentioned and is important in helping determine your needs vs resources)