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Focusing on camera settings


Presets can enhance your indoor sports photography skills.

Be sure to check out my other article, Part 1: Tips for Indoor Sports Photography, for more great ways to take indoor photography.


 

Recommended Lenses and ISO for Sports

Event

Recommended lenses

ISO setting

Shutter Speed

Notes

Baseball 70-200 @ f 2.8 Make sure it hasn’t been switched to manual 1/1000 and faster Depends on light, have sun at back
Basketball 23-70, 16-35 @ f 2.8 400 1/500 (minimum) No matter what, have at least 1/500 minimum shutter speed
Football 70-200, 300 @ f 2.8 4000/5000 1/500  4000 ISO, eventually switching to 5000 ISO @ f 2.8
Golf 70-200 @ f 2.8 400 1/2000   
Soccer 70-200, 300 @ f 2.8 400, (4000/5000 at night) 1/500   
Softball 24-105 A f4, 70-200 @ f 2.8 400 1/640 Night, same as football
Swimming 70-200 @ f 2.8 400 1/1000 and faster Settings depend on the time of the day
Tennis 24-70 @ f 2.8, 24-105 @ f4 400 1/500 Sun at your back
Track & Field 70-200 @ f2.8 400 1/500 and faster Light meter determines shutter speed
Volleyball 24-70 @ f 2.8 4000 1/500 (minimum)  
Water Polo 70-200 @ f 2.8 400 1/2000 Light meter determines shutter speed
Wrestling 70-200 @ f2.8 4000 1/500 (minimum)  

 

Preset Camera Settings for Sports Events

GOAL

SETTINGS

NEXT STEPS

Autofocus setting on the lens Documented a 4 year usage trend for all facilities. Make sure it hasn’t been switched to manual
Assess utilization of energy management systems across facilities. Performed a detailed audit of facilities and gathered best practices. Educate all facilities on reduction best practices.
Assess current recycling practices across facilities. Developed metrics required to capture current recycling practices. Use new framework to assess and measure progress.
Develop a team to lead development of new environmentally friendly products. “manual” Establish an environmentally focused product roadmap by product category.
Shutter 1/640 second 1/500 would be the minimum shutter speed to use
Aperture widest setting (usually f2.8)  
ISO “auto” If no “auto” setting, start at 4000 ISO and move up to 5000 ISO
Auto ISO setting in camera menu 100-12,800 ISO  
Color Space sRGB Don’t choose Adobe RGB
Save images as… Large JPEG Can also use RAW for more control in editing the images
Focusing Cases (canon) Case 1 for track & field
Case 2 for swimming, wrestling, and tennis
Case 3 for track & field
Case 4 for soccer, basketball, volleyball, and football
Case 5 for tennis and volleyball
Case 6
Case 1 is the default

  

Pro Tip

Things you should always carry in your camera bag:

  • Camera body
  •  Wide angle and telephoto lens (preferably f2.8 or faster for shooting indoor sports)
  • Extra camera battery
  • ExpoDisc or gray card to set custom white balance
  • Backup camera body and memory card, if available
  • A monopod and beanbag for steady shots
Hm-sports-action-leanna-siupinys.jpg

Written by:
Chris Bledsoe
Arroyo Grande High School [CA]
Chris has been the choral director at Arroyo Grande High School for 34 years and currently teaches choir, piano, AP music theory and advanced graphic arts.