Another day, another game. This time, the strobes were helpful in this horribly lit gym. All with the 70-200 2.8 is II and the 1d4, 2 AB800s and one 580ex II on camera. AB800s direct from balcony level and 580ex pointed at ceiling. 1/300, ISO 320 and 4.5. Process in LR4 Beta - still figuring out some of the new settings available.
Tim... You've nailed it again! of all the strobing shots I've seen this season, I like yours the best. I'm assuming its the on camera flash thats just popping the faces and eyes...great work!
Nice work with getting the overall light so that there aren't heavy shadows.
At the start of your post you state that your shutter speed is 1/300; that certainly didn't freeze the motion of the athletes so well. Do the AB800s have that quick a flash speed or were you firing them at less than full power and therefore at a quicker flash speed (if I have that right.)
I also have the 1D4/70-200 f/2.8 II combination. But I go a different route and struggle with the higher iso to get a decent shutter speed to freeze action.
Agreed that LR4 takes a little time to adjust to in the develop module. I like that the adjiustment brush now allows to paint noise and white balance.
dugaut-the AB800s have an OK flash speed for stopping action. If I was to do it all over again, I'd probably go for the Einsteins, but the AB800s do have a lot of bang for the buck.
With the AB800s, you get a faster flash time as you increase power. Therefore, I am always at near full power. The Einsteins have a different flash system and you can get faster times as you decrease power.
I think the AB800s have about a 1/500 to 1/640 effective shutter speed. With quick motion, I do get some blur, but it's not really that noticeable. The real key is to try to eliminate any ambient light from having an impact on your exposure. The quick way to see that is to turn off all of your lights and take an picture. If you screen is black or nearly black, you are probably pretty good. If you can see a faint image or very underexposed image, you have too much ambient hitting the sensor. Try to get a black screen.
Tim... these sure are crisp and they really pop! Is it the AB's that allow you to shoot faster than 1/200 or is the the trigger you use? I shoot with Normans and a MicroSync and can't shoot faster than 1/200.
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Nice Job. I shoot in poorly lit gyms at times and it can be frustrating AND means a lot of time in software at the end of the day. Your ideas and use of light means a little work at the beginning of the shoot and A LOT LESS IN THE DIGITAL DARKROOM.
