Settings to Use..

Lead_Head · 13 Oct 2009 at 10:33

Hello all,

I'll be going to Carl Froch's weigh in on Friday late afternoon which is in open air stage in Nottingham Market Square. I'm fed up of using 'P' mode on my 30D and want to venture more in to Tv and Av modes.

I'll be shooting with a 70-200mm Canon f/4 L lens to get some nice close ups. I've also got a Canon 580ex mk2 speedlite, will I need it on?

I've only used the speedlite on a couple of occasions so I'm not 100% comfortable with it yet.

What settings should I be looking to skirt around for some crisp shots? Tv or Av mode?

What if there are spot lights / stage lights in the background, how can I cope with these? I've got a non-petal shaped lens hood too, should I use that?

Hodders · 13 Oct 2009 at 12:16

I would suggest that you have a play.

My starting point would probably be to go full manual with the flash and camera. I would try to balance getting some of the stage lighting for atmosphere as well as using some flash to fill in any lack of light.

The shutter speeds will need to be 1/100 or faster to stand much chance of getting sharp images (unless you have the IS version). So you could fall back on to a Tv mode with the flash on full auto as a failsafe.

Best advice is to have fun... And experiment.

Good luck.

Lead_Head · 13 Oct 2009 at 12:20

Thanks for the reply.

Would you use the flash pointing directly at the subject as there wouldn't be anything to bounce the flash off.

I'm a bit paranoid about blasting off a big 580EX on full auto in public pointing it at someone! Hopefully the undercard fighters will be on first so I can practice some settings.

Previously I've been frustrated when I'm fiddling about with settings as I just can't seem to get it 'right'.

Hodders · 13 Oct 2009 at 12:38

It depends a lot on how close you think you are going to be. If only 20 feet then the flash will not have to put out that much light. If 100 feet then a lot more flash power will be needed.

I wouldn't worry too much about the flash - there will be loads of other flashes going of as well.

You could also up the ISO to say 800 and sacrifice noise for the need for less light.

I guess the last thing you want is to blind the boxer !

john_s · 13 Oct 2009 at 13:39

I'd be tempted to start off with the camera in Tv and try a few shots without flash, see if there's enough light. Set a shutter speed that you can hand hold to eliminate camera shake. Up the ISO if you need to get the exposure. Depending on the focal length you need, you might be looking for a shutter speed around 1/200s.

If you need some flash for fill, I'd go with the camera set to manual and set the exposure appropriate or the ambient light (eg start off with the settings the camera was metering in Tv mode). I'd start off with the flash in ETTL mode and adjust the flash exposure compensation if you need more or less light from the flash. You can always have a play with manual flash power settings later.

If you do use Av mode, keep and eye on the shutter speed the camera is metering... the camera will let it drop outside a useful range. (Found that out the hard way! :rolleyes:

@ me).

This page http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index2.html#confusion is worth a read - especially the confusion section which clarifies how each metering mode works with flash.

Edit to add: Yes, use the lens hood; it will help eliminate lens flare from the lighting.

Lead_Head · 13 Oct 2009 at 14:05

Thanks for the helpful replies everyone. That link is very useful, thank you john_s.

I'll post the results here for feedback.

Lead_Head · 19 Oct 2009 at 21:54

Conditions were harsh, direct sunlight at times then it was dull however these are probably the best of the bunch I took. I couldn't get any real decent ones of Carl Froch without cropping as his entourage flooded the space in front of me. Pretty annoying but I'll go and crop some in a bit.

These are all straight from the camera no post processing.

1. One of the undercard fighters weighs in.

2. Glad I got this one sharp, I can read all his tattoo's clearly

3. Competitors size each other up

4. Face is slightly soft, but special guest Jean Pascal

5. I presume this is Dirrells Dad, he was waving USA flags on the night.

6. Probably my favourite, might of looked better portrait but I like the emptyness surrounding Dirrell's nervous expression

7. Still looking nervous..

8. Froch and his WBC belt and trainer McCraken

9. Team Froch

Mud · 19 Oct 2009 at 23:41

I was sceptical about the subject, but it looks like you got a great spot for the weigh-in and some powerful pics.

Lead_Head · 20 Oct 2009 at 08:42

Cheers, I was quite pleased with some.

I appreciate any constructive criticism.

Derek W · 20 Oct 2009 at 10:41

Lead_Head said:
3. Competitors size each other up

Thats probably the best shot for me since it tells more of a story between the two rather than just 'the weigh in' Nice series though.

One thing to note, however, is although the two boxers are sizing each other up in the shot, whats the bald guy in the grey top sizing up :eek:

Lead_Head · 20 Oct 2009 at 11:08

Haha, good point. Not sure who he is or what he's doing but it's a good spot.