These were shot using a Canon 5D Mark II and a Canon 400mm IS f/2.8 lens. The ISO was set between 5000 and 6400; aperture f/2.8; and the shutter speed was 1/160th. I would have preferred a 1/320th shutter but since I was not using stobes (or a flash) the most I could get was 1/160th.
If the shot is not crisp it is for three reasons:
Aperture. Using a f/2.8 aperture allows a lot of light into the lens (it is wide open) but the only thing in sharp focus will be the rider (that was my focus point). Notice in the example the rider is sharp but the calf is not. The aperture could be adjusted to make the entire picture crisp but it would require two or three strobes flashing.
Shutter Speed. 1/160th is a slow shutter for sports. My preference is always at least 1/320th. Since all the action was down the chute versus a full arena, I did not have to move the camera to follow the movement. That would have been a big problem at 1/160th.
ISO. Using a high ISO will offset indoor lighting but the picture quality suffers. The equipment I was using is Canon’s best for low light so the ISO didn’t suffer too bad. I could have reduced the digital noise on these pictures but I thought they would look better with some grain.
Diamond T has the best lights in the Metroplex. There is no place I could have got tonight's pictues without strobing (flashing) everyone blind.
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