p.1 #1 · 7D: Best Technique in a Tough, Low Light Situation?
I am looking to optimize IQ using a 7D in a night sports shooting situation. I shoot HS football, and my home field is absolutely horrendous. The end zones should be renamed “dead zones”, because the primary lighting just doesn't reach them. No flashes allowed. Even in the center of the field, it is not that good. I am trying not to go slower than 1/400. How am I handling this?
1. Work hard to get close to the subject and avoid cropping (I only have a 70-200 2.8)
2. Set shutter priority 1/400
3. Vary the ISO between 3200 and 5000, depending on field position.
4. Maximize the in-camera noise reduction options
5. Use the Noise Reduction filter in Photoshop Elements for post-processing
This is giving me okay results for the most part, but it definitely leaves room for improvement. For the most part, the RAW files I generate are ¼ to 1 stop underexposed. I've tried adjusting the exposure in RAW and with the JPEG, and after I apply the noise filter, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference.
My question: Is there anything more that I can do, short of buying an FF (not in the cards for me right now)?
p.1 #2 · 7D: Best Technique in a Tough, Low Light Situation?
I am guessing renting fast glass is out of the question as the shooting will happen often? I would go down to 1/250 if possible, fix ISO at 3200, remove in-camera noise reduction and just use a nice plug-in during post processing (LR4 itself has very nice noise reduction, but you can get something like ISOx Pro from FM itself).
I shot a 3D light show from a Samyang 14mm recently and it was ridiculously noisy at ISO 3200 (it was pitch dark everywhere other than the actual show) and just using LR4 was not bad for the conditions. Excuse the last minute watermark
p.1 #3 · 7D: Best Technique in a Tough, Low Light Situation?
I use a 7D at times for night football and while I use HSS flash the ISO is cranked to 6400. I'd rather pump the ISO and have a properly exposed image than have to push an underexposed one in LR, but even then some shots still need a boost. I shoot raw because the lighting is all over the place and I haven't been satisfied with sooc jpegs. The endzones are about 2 stops lower than midfield. I also use a 70-200 when working the sidelines and at night.
p.1 #4 · 7D: Best Technique in a Tough, Low Light Situation?
I used to use a 7d side by side with a 1d3 often at iso 6400.
The settings I would suggest would be to bump up your iso to 6400. If your images are underexposed, and you're already wide open on your lens, and you can't lower the shutter speed because you need to freeze the action, then either using a higher or iso or bumping in post are your only two options.
I shot 6400 and just used the sliders in Lr to adjust for noise.
p.1 #5 · 7D: Best Technique in a Tough, Low Light Situation?
I agree with Robert, just go to 6400. Take one image and adjust for noise as best you can, then batch apply to the other images. if you get an SI shot, you can fine tune it separately. It is what it is...
p.1 #6 · 7D: Best Technique in a Tough, Low Light Situation?
Mike Letour wrote:
I've tried adjusting the exposure in RAW and with the JPEG, and after I apply the noise filter, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference.
Always shoot Raw unless:
A) You have a tight deadline like Sports Illustrated Super Bowl coverage or kiosk sales at a national cheerleading event with thousands of competitors.
OR
B) You are totally psychic and know that there will never be any more improvements to software to extract better looking pictures from Raws.
p.1 #7 · 7D: Best Technique in a Tough, Low Light Situation?
Mike Letour wrote:
1. Work hard to get close to the subject and avoid cropping (I only have a 70-200 2.8)
2. Set shutter priority 1/400
3. Vary the ISO between 3200 and 5000, depending on field position.
That basic plan is reasonable.
However, add to the mix that you might benefit by making some shots at lower shutterspeeds and therefore lower ISOs. Motion blur gives a very dynamic feeling of action. If you:
A) Anticipate action to shoot at peak moments, and
B) Follow the player's face with your composition,
Then you will get some great photos of a quarterback (for example) with hand slightly blurred just at the point of throwing a pass and with feet showing greater blur and perhaps a blurred background which isolates the quarterback for even greater impact.
Explore the use of 1/250, 1/100, and 1/60.
Do Not expect every shot to work. I assume, that like most people making photos of high school football, with perhaps the exception of state championships, there is no burning necessity to get every key point of every play in case that play scores a touchdown or is otherwise crucial to a win. In most high school football work, if the photographer gets an outstanding photograph of important players (or all the ones on a list), then it doesn't matter how many dozens are discarded. Perhaps your requirements are otherwise.
p.1 #9 · 7D: Best Technique in a Tough, Low Light Situation?
When going over 1600 ISO, the in camera jpg does a very good job. I like "standard" NR in the camera with sharpening turned down. Sharpen the subject on a PC using USM and some background NR as needed.
p.1 #10 · 7D: Best Technique in a Tough, Low Light Situation?
RobDickinson wrote:
IMo dont shoot over 3200, even if you under expose.
You can push process it better than the camera shoots 6400 or whatever.
From my experiences doing night shooting, I agree. But if in daylight and for whatever reasons you need to go to ISO 6400 (slow lens, fast shutter maybe ), it is fine from the random tests that I (and many others in that "How noisy is your 7D?" thread) did.
), it is fine from the random tests that I (and many others in that "How noisy is your 7D?" thread) did.