Just need some suggestions...

[klb2sweet]

I've been trying to take some photos at my son's wrestling meets, which are usually in poorly lit gyms. Trying to stop the action but keeping the light has been tormenting me for days. Are there in suggestions? I can't use my power flash, it's too distracting to the wrestlers, besides blinding them. I really am at a loss. My camera just does not perform well in low light situations. I get a lot of noise, or I get blurred bodies. Is there anything I can do? HELP! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Kelly

[Punwit]

Kelly, if you aren't allowed flash you are limited by your camera's low light performance. You need to maintain a fairly fast shutter speed to stop the action and consequently you'll have to use the most wide open aperture you can. This will compress your dof but that's the nature of the beast. I suggest you use shutter priority and set the speed as low as you can while still limiting the blur. Shutter priority will then assign the aperture you need. Also bump the ISO as high as you can and balance the noise against the motion blur.

What type of camera are you using?
If you have an SLR you can look at faster glass (lower f/stop #) but these lenses are generally pricey. Sorry there are no miracle cures.

Darren

[klb2sweet]

I am using a Sony a100 with a Tamron 70-300mm tele-macro. We were sitting up in the bleachers. I should have gone down on the floor, maybe that would have made a difference. I tried everything. Each picture looked different due the changes I was tring to make. I ended up with ISO 800 f3.5 S50 white-balance 5500K. Those looked the best, still got some blurred motion, but it wasn't too bad. There was still alot of noise. I have a Sigma 18-200mm. Maybe I'll try that lens the next time and get down on the floor level. Thanks so much for the advice.

[HRow]

I am using a Sony a100 with a Tamron 70-300mm tele-macro. We were sitting up in the bleachers. I should have gone down on the floor, maybe that would have made a difference. I tried everything. Each picture looked different due the changes I was tring to make. I ended up with ISO 800 f3.5 S50 white-balance 5500K. Those looked the best, still got some blurred motion, but it wasn't too bad. There was still alot of noise. I have a Sigma 18-200mm. Maybe I'll try that lens the next time and get down on the floor level. Thanks so much for the advice.

At ISO 800 you will benefit from using some noise reduction software. You will also benefit from nailing the exposure with under-exposure leading to significantly increased noise levels.

In terms of WB, I take it from your description that you are adjusting at the gym. If so, beware that every gym will be different - perhaps significantly so and trying to adjust via the cameras LCD is very iffy. You might be better off letting the camera do an automatic WB and adjusting the whole set in post.

If you have very difficult and changing conditions you will be much better off shooting RAW if you aren't already. Much easier to get files right and to save ones that aren't.

[Sambo]

Kelly, it seems that you have done everything you could, and all of them right. Unfortunatly you are limited by your equipment. F/3.5 is probaby not wide enough to get a decent shutter speed. The Tamron is a nice lens, very sharp most of the time, just not fast. I'd leave the Sigma at home. It's not worth your time at the longer focal lengths. The Sony A100 is notorious for noise at higher ISOs. I have one and I almost never went above ISO400. That is one of the reasons I saved my pennies a got a A700. It is MUCH better at noise control. I have no problem going to ISO 800 or 1600 if I need to. Good luck and happy shooting!

Sam