HELP! Action Shots with my Fuji s5100!?!?

[Spinning]

My children dive and I really would like to get some nice shots of them in the air, not the final splash!
I have tried all kinds of settings. I have bumped up the speed, which then makes it grainy. I do rapid fire, some times good some times not...
Is there any setting I can use....please talk in simple terms as I dont' seem to get this at all!
I have tried the sports mode but I swear those pictures are worse than when I have the camera on automatic....

 

[YEKCIM]

I've got a S5200 and I believe they operate in much the same way. First off, set the camera for continuous focus, to be sure you are in focus when the shutter fires. Second, use as high a shutter speed as you can, given the lighting conditions. Using ISO 200 or 400 in daylight, you should be able to go 1/1000 with no problem. I would use Shutter Preferred auto, where you set the shutter speed and the cam selects the correct corresponding aperture. Lastly, if the 5100 has significant shutter lag, you will need to anticipate the shot and press the shutter slightly *before* you want the shutter to fire. My S5200 has virtually no shutter lag, which is pretty remarkable, but I'm not sure about the 5100.

~YEKCIM

 

[Spinning]

Hi,
I finally seemed to get the hang of it. The cont mode wasn't the best choice. It seemed to be too slow to stop the action. But the burst mode....now we're talking! I would use it to capture the last 3 frames. Took me awhile to get my finger to release at the right time. So I took a ton of pictures at practice. Must say I finally got some great shots. My swim team shots were really nice. Especially with the kids doing butterfly and breast stroke!

 

[YEKCIM]

Hi,
I finally seemed to get the hang of it. The cont mode wasn't the best choice. It seemed to be too slow to stop the action. But the burst mode....now we're talking! I would use it to capture the last 3 frames. Took me awhile to get my finger to release at the right time. So I took a ton of pictures at practice. Must say I finally got some great shots. My swim team shots were really nice. Especially with the kids doing butterfly and breast stroke!

That's excellent news, and will save you a trip to the photo shop for a new camera! Still enjoying my S5200 but temptation is getting the best of me...

~YEKCIM

 

[Spinning]

well I am right there with you! LOL! I do love this camera but if something happened to it.....well you know...would be sad for a spit second and then off to the store!
Here are a few of my action shots:

 

[YEKCIM]

well I am right there with you! LOL! I do love this camera but if something happened to it.....well you know...would be sad for a spit second and then off to the store!/QUOTE]

Yep, you definitely got the hang of it. Now, go plan a trip to Mickey's World, and start posting those awesome WDW pix!

~YEKCIM