Flash Free Gymnastics Photography

I

iwap

Messages
214
Edit My Images
No
One of my little ones is a keen gymnast at competition level and I would like to be able to photograph her myself, rather than pay a fortune for the agency chaps to do it.
But every picture we took, came out blurry or dark. We are not allowed to use flashes and I presume that the agency folks aren't either, so what would be the best starting point do you think?
I have a D80 with just the kit lens 18-135mm(3.5-5.6).
Would I have been better with the nifty fifty at 1.8 do you think or am I just ay out of the league equipment wise?
I prefer zooms as these gymnasts do tend to move about a lot and us spectators aren't able to -any help or suggestions gratefully accepted!:help:
 
the trick with photography like this is fast glass (less than f/2.8) and hi ISO.

You need to keep the shutter speed above 1/100, although, with gymnastics I would say probably higher.

So to get a fast shutter speed you need to adjust the ISO and aperture, obviously, you need to be aware of DOF so set the aperture to get the DOF you need. Then up the ISO to get the correct exposure.

I can't advise on the ISO quality of the D80 though as I have never used one but I am sure someone will come along shortly with experience in both areas to provide you with better advice :D

For instance, my D60 is awful above ISO400, I can take it up to ISO1600 but there is too much noise!
 
While getting used to it, why don't you set your camera to shutter priority and auto ISO, use a fastish shutter, review the pictures, see if you are happy with the noise etc, then you can switch to manual, set your ISO manually from what was taken, and your shutter, and adjust aperture accordingly?
 
Thanks very much for your responses - confirming I do need a nice new lens to get the results I need. Thanks again.
 
if you know the routines you could possibly drop your shutter speed a bit at certain points but as some have said high iso, the lowest shutter speed you can use to capture the motion (1/200 i'd say)

ignore noise, it's the image you're after so whatever it takes :)

if you're still having probs even with static shots then maybe a monopod for that extra stability, however it won't help with movement
 
Yes a tough one! Even 1/200th is slow for action but in Gymnastics you can capture plenty shots at moments where the gymnasts are relatively still. Reach may be the important consideration - unless you are very close.

All the suggestions above are good. High ISO and fastest lens you can afford. The one you have is inadequate. To work out f the 50 is any good, set your curret lens to 50mm and is that long enough? If not you may be wasting money better spent elsewhere.
 
alexkidd said:
if you know the routines you could possibly drop your shutter speed a bit at certain points but as some have said high iso, the lowest shutter speed you can use to capture the motion (1/200 i'd say)

ignore noise, it's the image you're after so whatever it takes :)

if you're still having probs even with static shots then maybe a monopod for that extra stability, however it won't help with movement
Click to expand...


That's a good point - we do have prior knowledge of the routines so I might ask the coaches if I can go in and practice while they practice as well.
It really is the movement. Some of my shots, my daughter's body was not even identifiable!!:bonk:
Thanks for the response.:)
 
EOS_JD said:
Yes a tough one! Even 1/200th is slow for action but in Gymnastics you can capture plenty shots at moments where the gymnasts are relatively still. Reach may be the important consideration - unless you are very close.

All the suggestions above are good. High ISO and fastest lens you can afford. The one you have is inadequate. To work out f the 50 is any good, set your curret lens to 50mm and is that long enough? If not you may be wasting money better spent elsewhere.
Click to expand...

I shall defo do that - I hadn't even considered it. I have a feeling it won't be though looking back over the data on the shots I took.
Thanks so much for the response. Really appreciate it. So much to learn!!!
:thumbs:
 
iwap said:
Thanks very much for your responses - confirming I do need a nice new lens to get the results I need. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

The good news is that the D80 will AF using the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 which is very nice and relatively cheap - you might even find one on the second hand shelf.

iwap said:
That's a good point - we do have prior knowledge of the routines so I might ask the coaches if I can go in and practice while they practice as well.
It really is the movement. Some of my shots, my daughter's body was not even identifiable!!:bonk:
Thanks for the response.:)
Click to expand...

You never know your luck - you might even be allowed to use flash during a practice session and also get your daughter to look at you for the shots (not a good idea during competitions - she may get distracted!).
 
Nod said:
The good news is that the D80 will AF using the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 which is very nice and relatively cheap - you might even find one on the second hand shelf.



You never know your luck - you might even be allowed to use flash during a practice session and also get your daughter to look at you for the shots (not a good idea during competitions - she may get distracted!).
Click to expand...


I am thinking this might be a good starting point as I can move around freely when they practice so the 50mm may be good. I will also broach the subject of a little bit of flash too - maybe at the end of the session just with my daughter, if they object.

Thank you all for such great advice! I really do appreciate it!:thumbs:
 
the only issue shooting at f1.8 is depth of field (how much of the subject is in/out of focus)

f1.8 has a much narrower depth of field when close up than smaller fstops like the f4.5 you find on consumer zooms. yes it allows much more light in almost 8x more light so 8x the shutter speeds you currently get (all oher things being equal)

If 50mm is too short, look at the 85mm f1.8 or maybe something like a 100mm f2 (not sure if Nikon do them) - more expensive but reach will be better.....
 
D3s and a 70-200mm F2.8 will sort all your issues out. But I notice you didn't post that you'd won the lottery so money was no object :gag:

SO as with the rest try bigger primes 50mm will be a little restricting, 85mm that step closer, some might call me nuts put try a 105mm macro film lens if you can find one as that will be sharp but you have to think a bit more when shooting.

But generally investment in low light shooting for something as specialist as this, and lets face it shooting indoors at over 1/200th is special, is very expensive depending on what you expect the results to be.
 
EOS_JD said:
the only issue shooting at f1.8 is depth of field (how much of the subject is in/out of focus)

f1.8 has a much narrower depth of field when close up than smaller fstops like the f4.5 you find on consumer zooms. yes it allows much more light in almost 8x more light so 8x the shutter speeds you currently get (all oher things being equal)

If 50mm is too short, look at the 85mm f1.8 or maybe something like a 100mm f2 (not sure if Nikon do them) - more expensive but reach will be better.....
Click to expand...

Hi, and thanks for the response. I quite like the shallow DOF that you get on the 1.8, i think. (am I right there?).
I found a Nikon 105mm f2.8 on ebay that was fairly reasonably priced. Will have to get my saving hat on!
Thanks again for the advice.
 
18-270 said:
D3s and a 70-200mm F2.8 will sort all your issues out. But I notice you didn't post that you'd won the lottery so money was no object :gag:

SO as with the rest try bigger primes 50mm will be a little restricting, 85mm that step closer, some might call me nuts put try a 105mm macro film lens if you can find one as that will be sharp but you have to think a bit more when shooting.

But generally investment in low light shooting for something as specialist as this, and lets face it shooting indoors at over 1/200th is special, is very expensive depending on what you expect the results to be.
Click to expand...


LOL Yep, moon on a stick is what I want!:lol: I will hold my hands up to being an over enthusiastic beginner ***!

And yes, lotto win would also be grand - love the look of the 70-200 f2.8 as it is a seriously impressive lens but yikes at the price!:exit:

Thanks for the advice. Really helpful!:)
 
iwap said:
And yes, lotto win would also be grand - love the look of the 70-200 f2.8 as it is a seriously impressive lens but yikes at the price!:exit:
Click to expand...

Seriously - buy up to a thousand pounds worth of prints from the professional - it'll be cheaper than buying the kit. Pros buy kit at these prices because that is what you need to do these jobs. Buying cheaper kit will not get you the results you want.
 
I think even the 70-200 may not be enough unless the gym is bright - f2.8 is fast but I think a 200mm f2 would be better :nuts:
 
You already realise that you're going to have to get something with better light gathering performance (f number) than your kit lens, but you're getting all sorts of advice about the focal length you might use (50 mm to 200 mm). Have a look at the shots you have already taken and the EXIF data will tell you (if you can't remember) whereabouts in its range you were taking your shots. Then you might think about hiring a lens and finding out more about what you want to do before commiting to a purchase.
 
PickleB said:
You already realise that you're going to have to get something with better light gathering performance (f number) than your kit lens, but you're getting all sorts of advice about the focal length you might use (50 mm to 200 mm). Have a look at the shots you have already taken and the EXIF data will tell you (if you can't remember) whereabouts in its range you were taking your shots. Then you might think about hiring a lens and finding out more about what you want to do before commiting to a purchase.
Click to expand...

I am most definitely not am impulse purchaser. Took me over a year to get around to buying just the body :nuts:
Looking at my data, most shots were just over the 100mm focal range. Found one random one at 24mm.
Where are the best places to hire lenses from do you know? That could be a great way for me to try it all out and just borrow one for the weekends she competes.:thumbs:
Gathering lots of useful info here so thank you very much for taking the time to respond!
 
awp said:
Seriously - buy up to a thousand pounds worth of prints from the professional - it'll be cheaper than buying the kit. Pros buy kit at these prices because that is what you need to do these jobs. Buying cheaper kit will not get you the results you want.
Click to expand...


I know, you're probably right but I am a stubborn sort and I really want to be able to do it myself.
And even the pros had to start somewhere!
 
EOS_JD said:
I think even the 70-200 may not be enough unless the gym is bright - f2.8 is fast but I think a 200mm f2 would be better :nuts:
Click to expand...


I'll look that bad boy up then, see how much we're talking! Cheers. ;)
 
I was kidding :)

Look at the images you have and select a focal length and look for a fast lens in that region.

Cheers
Jim
 
EOS_JD said:
I was kidding :)

Look at the images you have and select a focal length and look for a fast lens in that region.

Cheers
Jim
Click to expand...

Glad to hear you were kidding. I could get a reasonably priced car for that!:lol:

But you have been very helpful, so thanks ever so!
 
For lens hire, try lensesforhire . StewartR (the owner) is a member here and I've heard lots of good things about the company both here and elsewhere.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top