I need SPEED!!!!!

[RangemasterP226]

I went to my daughter's cheerleader camp on saturday and I shot some action photos during her team's performance and I have to say I was very disappointed. I set my D80 to the "running man" setting which I understand is for fast action sports shooting. All the photos were blurred.
So, my suspicion is the kit lens' were too slow It is the 18-55 lens and the 55-200 lens. Do I need to upgrade to a better lens for speed?
Please help the rookie!!!!

[WooD]

I had to look at my D80 to see about this "running man". I've only shot in manual mode, so I'm not sure what that setting is for. Your best bet if your unfamiliar with manual mode, would be to set your camera to shutter priority mode, and set your speed to around 1/800 to start. I'm guessing this is an outdoor thing? If it is, and its really sunny you can try around 1/1250.

As far as lens go. I'd look at the Nikon 80-200 f/2.8

[camrajoky]

1>The running man would sound like Shutter Priority.....you have to set the shutter speed to a level that stops action then the camera sets the aperture for that shutter speed. You need to concider what ISO you want to use so it ( the camera ) can think for you to set the right settings.
2> the focal lenth of the lens does not set the speed of the lens...that would be in the Aperture range it has...ie wide open would be lower numbers like 2.8 or faster.
3> as a basic rule when using a telephoto lens....you should choose the shutter speed no slower than the longest focal lenth....if the lens is a 500mm then you would not want to have the shutter slower than 1/500th unless on a tripod or other stabilising device.

[WooD]

On the D80 S is shutter priority.

[roncgizmo]

Your best bet is to really learn the camera.. IMO using anything but manual mode on any SLR is like driving a Sport Car with an automatic.

You're just not going to get the same kind of performance out of it.

[WooD]

Just checked my D80 manual. The running man is a Sports Mode. Kinda the same as Auto mode except aimed at fast action. The camera will still be making all your decisions in any of the modes other than M, S, or A.

[Jeff Perry]

RangemasterP226, you didn't mention if the performance was indoors or outside. Outside, the Sports mode should have given you reasonable results, although the Shutter priority mode, and a properly balance f/stop and ISO setting to match would have assured "stop action".

If you were shooting indoors, in all likelihood, nothing would have helped with the kit lenses absent a flash (at an appropriate distance) unless you boosted the ISO way up to compensate for the lower ambient light. In this instance faster lenses with high ISO camera settings and a fast shutter speed (S-mode) would have done the trick, although you would have to spend some time in post to clean up the high-ISO noise as a result.

Jeff

[Loa]

Hello,

In addition to what others have said (especially the part about knowing your camera and forgetting about automatic modes), I'd advise 2 lens choices: something in the 24-70 range, and/or something in the 70-200 range. BUT: those lenses MUST be true f/2.8 lenses, from shortest to longest zoom range.

Sigma, Tamron and of course Nikon all make such lenses. (They can be quite expensive though: see here)

Check to see which lens (from your 2 kit lenses) you were using the most at your daughter's camp, and it will help you decide which lens you need to upgrade to a 2.8.

Good luck!

Loa

P.S. Oh: use that LCD! Don't just look at the 2.5in picture, but soom in some of your shots to see if they're alright. If not, adjust your settings: ISO, speed, aperture... until you get it right. Much better to have a noisy 1600ISO photo than a blurry ISO400 photo!!!

[Douglas]

Try working the iso speeds and such before jumping into high $ lenses though. You want to make sure you know your camera so that you can get the most out of it. If it was outside and sunny, then it could be that the sports setting was going for a "creative blur" thing. Try working in the P mode (full auto) or S mode for shutter priority and seeing if you can bump up the shutter speed as another member suggested. Also, is it possible it was camera shake?

Lenses that cost a thousand bucks or so are nice, but sometimes impracticle for most people. Id love a couple. But my landlord and stomach are pretty convincing in their 'you gotta eat and pay the rent' arguments.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Loa

P.S. Oh: use that LCD! Don't just look at the 2.5in picture, but soom in some of your shots to see if they're alright.

and learn to use the Histogram !

Much better to have a noisy 1600ISO photo than a blurry ISO400 photo!!!

completely agree!

...€0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[gpf]

At least one of those lenses is a VR lens. If you had this function switched on then the D80 will very happily try to shoot at 1/15 of a second.

As I found out to my disappointment, great for sharp backgrounds and blurred runners....

[gaopa2]

Yep, fast glass is nice and VR is nice, but if you want to raise the shutter speed just crank up the ISO... Cheers, Bill P.

[Mad Dawg]

Post up some photos that were taken so we can see what you are talking about. First thought that came to mind - was VR switched on?? I have the same glass as you on my D60 body, in "sports" mode and not have had any issues with subject blur. These were taken using the 55-200VR lens.

1.


2.

[Nikonfreak]

Best suggestion that I could offer has been stated above. Jump out of the automatic modes. The camera doesn't know what you are shooting or how fast the subject is moving. You do. At worst case, you would want to shoot in shutter priority for fast moving action shots. You might need to boost the ISO to get an acceptable exposure if you are using a variable aperature lens as well.

Order a copy of the book, Understanding Exposure, by Brian Peterson... available on Amazon.com

Julio

[fintastic]

Rangemaster
All is good advise above, I to would like to see your shot to see what is going on? But I think it may be a operator technique error.
Try and calm down give the camera time to lock on and take your shot.
I would guess on running man mode you are about 500 for a SS.
This shot is at SS 160 and the car is moving at about 70 MPH.
Pan a Little with your subject.
Keep in mind a head on shot will be easer than a side shot

[David Bickle]

Get to know your camera. Fast glass will certainly help you pick up a couple of stops. VR is a great option however it will not stop subject movement.

[badpickev]

I need SPEED!!!!!



Then Fuji is not for you.

[Songman45]

Five days pass since the original post, were still shotgunning about what the particulars of his question are, and no further input from the OP. Does this tell us anything?