Canon 20D Lighting/Blur Problems

[wekhogan]

I have had this camera for about a year, and am having problems with any type of motion being blurry when it is not bright sunlight. Specifically, I tried to take pictures of my daughter ice skating (inside rink) and they came out TERRIBLE. I have tried program mode, faster shutter speed (way too dark), both using fill flash, and even tried larger flash unit. I realize the situation is tricky given the lighting, but what am I not doing? What are the general parameters for shooting action while inside?

 

[Anewman]

I have had this camera for about a year, and am having problems with any type of motion being blurry when it is not bright sunlight. Specifically, I tried to take pictures of my daughter ice skating (inside rink) and they came out TERRIBLE. I have tried program mode, faster shutter speed (way too dark), both using fill flash, and even tried larger flash unit. I realize the situation is tricky given the lighting, but what am I not doing? What are the general parameters for shooting action while inside?

1. You said "tried program mode", I think that only allows ISO upto 400. You will need at least 800.

2. Faster shutter does help freeze motion, trick is to find the absolute slowest that would allow blur free images. And if you Pan with the subject you can slow shutter down even more to allow more light in. When you speed up the shutter you need to compensate by upping the ISO and using larger apeture.

3. Fast lens would be very helpfull.

 

[amid chaos]

I have found that if I shoot with a fast shutter and then do some editing in Photoshop Elements I get a decent picture. Here are some taken with my 20D.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Depending on the distance and how bright it is, I usually find it that one needs the following:

1. Set to ISO 1600
2. Set external flash to Auto
3. Use 'Snoot' for the flash head
4. Set the shutter speed to 1/250

 

[wekhogan]

Thanks so much for the replies - I have been reluctant to up the ISO past 400 because of noise, but I think that's a carryover from the film days.
I have a lot of practicing to do.

Dumb question of the day - how do I post pictures to demonstrate?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

get an account with photobucket, upload your image(s) to photobucket, copy and paste the image link from photobucket to your post(s).

 

[handicap18]

Thanks so much for the replies - I have been reluctant to up the ISO past 400 because of noise, but I think that's a carryover from the film days.

You'll have to ask yourself: Do I want to use ISO 400 and get pics that are blured or use ISO 1600 and get pics that might have some noise but are not blured?

Don't be affraid of the higher ISO. I'm thinking that the noise you'd get wont be that much considering the subject. If you do get some then there are software programs out there that will help reduce it or take it away in the digital darkroom.

Personally, I'd take a chance with a little bit of noise.