Digital SLR users...I need help!

[goofymom/pop]

Ok so I cannot get a good night action shot with my camera....whats up? I tried different AV settings, different TV settings, and even auto ...all are blurry and I do mean blurry. What the heck am I doing wrong? HELP!! Was at my son's night game last night and I am very upset about the pictures, not a single good one...ugh!


Cindy

 

[onedisneylover]

i don't know if i can help or not...probably not since i am new to mine too...

what kind of digi slr do you have?

i just recently learned how to use the burst mode...there is an amateur/wants to be pro photographer that comes to our games (and he has lenses to die for!!!) and takes pics of the kids in action...well, i was looking at his equipment (the camera!!! yup, had to explain that to the coaches too...as i am team mom and also in the dug out).

well, i am not sure, but in the burst mode, he had me move this dial until it said like 2000 when you are looking in the view finder. i don't know if this would be it or not, but i'm sure we could figure it out together...

god i need to take some classes!!!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

That would make sense as I would presume the burst mode is similar to setting a film speed on film SLRs. I know that to get good low light high action shots with a digital is very difficult unless you do have that high end to die for equipment. Which is why I stick with my film and run only 1600 speed at the football games where I do the sideline shots for program and booster club sales.

Good luck!
Deb

 

[American Scrapper]

I also have that problem and have been told that the key really is a tripod. Even though you don't think you are shaking, you probably are, and that will cause the blur.

Hope this helps.

Kathy

 

[onedisneylover]

the guy that i talked about above had this one legged thing...it was like a tripod, just with one leg...it was kind of cool...i didn't ask him of this, but i'm sure that could be one of the keys as well.

 

[jenny2]

It could have been a monopod - like a tripod only more manuverable because it only has 1 leg. They offer good stability! Night action shots are tough because if you don't have a camera where you can jack up the film speed to 1600 the shots are going to be blurry even with a tripod because there's not enough light for the picture.

 

[goofymom/pop]

so lets see....

I do have the ability to up the ISO to 1600
I forgot my tripod (dah!)
My camera does have a burst setting but I haven't used it other than to take rapid shots

I have a dvd on the camera guess I need to get it out and watch it again.

I have the digital rebel xt...it takes unbelievable pics in good lighting but I am really stressing about the night shots.

So I shall watch the dvd and report back to all of you. Maybe there is something we are all missing.

 

[American Scrapper]

goofymom/pop,

I too have the digital rebel XT and have not watched the DVD I guess it probably would be a good idea. I have had some very good pics that I have taken in the dark or in a dark setting, but most times it was my DH who took them

Kathy

 

[JudithM]

so lets see....
I do have the ability to up the ISO to 1600
I forgot my tripod (dah!)
My camera does have a burst setting but I haven't used it other than to take rapid shots

Cindy, my husband has some thoughts for you:

Blur is caused by the shutter speed being too slow & maybe combined with camera shake. To get the fastest possible shutter speed, you are right to set the ISO to 1600. Now go to AV mode (Canon talk for aperature priority) & set your lens to its widest aperature (the smallest possible number like 3.5 or 4.8). Depending on the typical nighttime lighting, your shutter speed may still be less than 1/30th of a second. This will allow any camera shake to blur the picture. You can solve this by your second thought - use the tripod. (The monopod will not help in this situation.) This assumes you have the standard 18-55mm kit lens that came with the camera.

The only way to get a faster shutter speed is to use a different lens, one that has a maximum aperature of f/2.8 or f/1.8. Going from f/4.8 to f/2.8, you will gain two shutter speeds. For example, 1/15th of a second now becomes 1/60th of a second. Fast lenses are expensive, but they provide much more flexibilty.

Burst mode has nothing to do with shutter speed or ISO per se. Do not be confused by fancy modes. Burst mode is for taking several picutures in a row.

 

[goofymom/pop]

Judith... my lens is 28-300 Tamron lens. I didn't like the zoom on the lens that came with the camera so I bought this one instead. I am going to try your suggestions this weekend if I am lucky enough to have Anthonys games be at night again. Will remember the tripod, set it at 1600, set the AV to a lower number. Anything else? I am so new to all these settings, but have been pretty lucky so far. Just want to nip this nighttime thing in the bud while I can. I hate blurry pics!

 

[jenny2]

Who-hoo! Fellow Rebel XT owners! Well, I haven't actually bought mine yet (just been doing hours of research) but DH said to pick the one I want and he'd get it for me for Christmas and this is what I've chosen.

Now that we're in the same place... mind if I pick your brains? Likes? Dislikes? Did you get the camera with the kit lens (18-55mm)? Goofymom/pop - that's a nice Tamron lens! Do you like it?

 

[goofymom/pop]

love the camera....only problem I have had so far is the night action shots. But I vow to get it right! I love the lens. Opted for it over the kit lens as it didn't have the zoom for the type of pics I like to take. I am already wanting an additional flash and a bigger zoom. Biggest thing I did to learn was take out the camera and play.....play....play.....One cool feature for a newbie like me was the AV/TV settings. If you have it in the AV mode, and set it at a low number, if your camera needs a different setting to go with that it will flash until you set it right....how cool is that. Helps you not take bad pics. I am sure that makes no sense right now but it will when you have the camera. Get it early so you can practice for Christmas pics.

Cindy

 

[jenny2]

I'm not sure WHAT I'm going to be taking pictures of (besides my family, lol) so I think I'm going to start with the kit lens. I've always liked playing with my cameras in macro mode, so maybe I'll get a macro lens. But I'll decide that after I get the camera, lol!

Yeah, I can't wait to finally get the camera to be able to play, lol. Are the AV/TV setting aperature priority and shutter priority? I stopped by the store on my way home from work today to check out the cameras in person, and I've definitely decided on the XT

We're actually going to be in WDW for Christmas this year, so I told DH he's got to give me a couple of weeks practice before the holiday. He can make it a Thanksgiving day gift... or Halloween, I'm not picky! LOL!

Thanks for the info Cindy!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Hey Jenny - even if most of your photos are family oriented think about what sorts of activities they are in to. Although from the photo in your signature, it looks like the kids are still relatively young, so that may still be developing.

For instance, as the OP noted she takes lots of sports photos including low light because son plays ball. I too do a lot of low light action for that reason. DS played football and I'm still doing sideline shots for one of our booster club fundraisers. Also, both of my kids - well actually the whole family - are active in the performing arts area. So those production shots have their own challenges in terms of light, action, and distance.

If you're already doing things where you're at a distance, even tball or the like think about a lens with more flexibility. For years I used and SLR set up with multiple lenses but since I went to my Nikon with a 28-300 lens it is like going to heaven. I have HUGE flexibility in formatting my shots without changing lenses. Not the easiest thing to do when the action is flowing! Of course there are still other options I'd like to play with but for 98% of what I do that range is perfect.

Deb

 

[goofymom/pop]

the av/tv settings are the shutter and aperature settings. Just canon's abbreviations.

I hope you get the camera soon, real soon

 

[jenny2]

Thanks for all the information guys!!