digital cameras/ skating

[dgel]

Is anyone prepared to share their expereince of digital cameras and photography at skating events? i've found using the standard point-and-shoot digitals gives disappointing results in general - I'm talking here about the standard rink lighting not perhaps the better lighting seen at major events. I suspect the answer is probably a good single lens reflex and fast film (or a very pricey digital back). Basically the digitals I've used don't stop the action well enough if there's any movement at all...

[dr.frog]

If you want to take action photos at a "regular" rink, you'll need a camera that can do at least ISO 800, maybe ISO 1600. Generally, the cameras that can do this are digital SLRs with separate lenses, not the point-and-shoot variety. I've found I can get decent photos under arena lighting or show lighting with my Sony F707 at ISO 400, but I no longer bother trying to photograph at all under "regular" rink lighting conditions because the results just don't justify the hassle.

Another issue is that for skating photography you really need more than the 3x zoom found on most point-and-shoot cameras.

[babyballerina]

I am very interested in this thread because I have just bought my first ever digital camera. Its is a fujiFinePix S3000, point and press kind with a X6 optical zoom.

This is it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000D8Q9G/ref=br_lf_ce_11/026-4060168-4874844

I'm in the 11th row at worlds. Do you think it will do?

[batikat]

Hi
I'll be at Worlds too - 10th row I think but I'm not expecting my digital camera will get me pin sharp action photos. It's got a 5 x zoom but of course the bigger zoom the more light you need etc.

Have you taken your camera to your rink and tried out some of the manual overides? - try the highest equivalent sensitivity (ISO 400 or 800 if it has it) and also try prefocusing on an area and then catching a skater when they come into shot - the great thing with digital is you can see at once if it's working. Try the different shooting modes and aperture vs shutter speed priorities.

My camera will take continuous shots and while the shots arent' totally sharp I have got some rather nice impressionistic action shots by following the action through the viewfinder (not the screen)and just shooting continuously - you can delete all the rubbish shots after but occasionally you can capture a jump moment this way!!!

If you want nice shots of the skaters you are probably best to try and capture them in their starting or ending poses as at least you are not having to contend with movement as well as distance/poor lighting.

I'm also hoping to get to some of the practices and thereby get closer to the skaters than my 10th row seat.

Since trying out digital photos at the rink I am even more in awe of the 'icephoto' man who gets great action shots at competitions.

[dr.frog]

Originally posted by babyballerina
I am very interested in this thread because I have just bought my first ever digital camera. Its is a fujiFinePix S3000, point and press kind with a X6 optical zoom.

This is it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000D8Q9G/ref=br_lf_ce_11/026-4060168-4874844

I'm in the 11th row at worlds. Do you think it will do?

The specs for this camera say it only does ISO 100, and the lens is only F4.8 at full zoom. My guess is that you are not going to be able to get a fast enough shutter speed for action photos (you really need at least 1/250 for that).

FWIW, at US Nationals in Atlanta I was shooting at ISO 400, F3.5, 1/250. Just the ISO difference alone means that you've got four times less light in your camera than mine, so you need a shutter speed four times slower to compensate. And at 1/60, your photos will surely be blurry if the skaters are moving at all.

[NJSk8Fan]

I just recently got a Canon Power Shot A20 and am anxiously awaiting trying it out from on-ice seats at SOI on 2/20, in Philadelphia.
If I get any decent pictures, I will surely share them with you all.
I love the camera, it seems to take fabulous photos both indoors and out, in low light and bright light, with or without the flash.