Help w/ Nikon 8008-SB24-Nikkor 70-300 4-56

[sandhiller]

Hello,
Just found this site and am wondering if someone would like to help me out.
I'm trying to shoot HS basketball, under some difficult lighting conditions.
Lighting of the gyms are of varied natures, not quite sure, what exactly they are. Obviously no incandecents. Ideas on camera, flash and film?
I generally use ASA 100-400 film. Should I try a higher speed film w/o flash?
I also have a Nikkor 50mm 1.8........ I am fairly inexperinced w/ settings, outside of letting the equipment make all of them. i.e. "Auto"............
I recently shot some games using the camera in "Shutter Priority", flash in TTL,..at 250, w/ ap around 4 to 5.6, was able to freeze motion, but lighting was off, giving a "grainy & darkish" apperance. Did play around w/ exposure comps in camera, even at plus or minus 5,.... but most shots look pretty much the same. "Kinda Crappy" to say the least..........................
Would appreciate any and all input.
Thank you,
sandhiller.

 

[BobNewYork]

Indoor sports is a toughie!

It's unlikely that the flash will carry in a gymnasium. Plus - be careful using flash, it can distract the players. There certainly wouldn't be enough light for a shutter speed of 1/250. The f1.8 would be best - but the focal length is too short for sports. I's use the fastest film you can lay your hands on and shoot program or aperture-priority at max. aperture - without the flash. I know it looks bright in there but photographically it isn't.

 

[Pinholemaster]

OK you've asked a lot.

Shoot with 400 ISO negative film with no flash. Unless you can light an gym the way we use to do when I was a staff photographer at USA Today back in the mid-80s, your on-camera flash will annoy the players and make terrible shadows.

Shoot only with your 50 mm f/1.4. The tele-zoom will drive you nuts 'cause it is slow in aperture, and the action is too fast to follow focus.

Shoot at a manuel setting with a minimum shutter speed of 1/500 sec, with a very wide aperture. This way the action will be frozen, and the background will be out of focus. Take an exposure of a players skin tone before the game begins, and don't change it. The dark rafters of a gym will throw off you meter, as well as the lighter uniforms.

Shoot from the floor of the gym up at the action, preferably at one end zone without cheerleaders sitting in front of you.

Good luck.

 

[PhotoJim]

You could shoot 800 or 1600 film, too, which would permit you to use a slower, longer lens. I definitely agree that you shouldn't use flash.

 

[sandhiller]

Thanks for the tips!................
I'll give them a go this weekend.
sandhiller