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Resolved Question

What are best camera settings for indoor track and field?

Jan 12, 2014 1:29AM PST

Canon EOS 60D

18-135mm lens and/or 75-300mm

Novice photographer

Close to the action (infield pass)

Discussion is locked

jsharp8 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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re: best camera settings for *indoor* track and field?
Jan 12, 2014 10:08AM PST

For *indoor* sports, I would think full Auto mode would probably choose too slow a shutter speed -- especially with either of the lenses you listed, since they are both on the slower/darker side -- which would result in motion blur.

So I would at least recommened Sports mode.

Even better would be Shutter Priority (Tv) mode with a shutter speed of 1/200 or faster.

Even better would be the above -- Tv with 1/200 or faster -- combined with auto-ISO mode.

Keep in mind that, for track and field, even 1/200 may have motion blur, but the faster the shutter speed (to "freeze" the action) is, the higher the ISO will need to be (which is why I would recommend auto-ISO mode, so the camera can adjust ISO, as needed); and the higher the ISO is, the noisier/grainier the photo will be. Which is why the best option is to buy a faster/brighter lens (something with an f-number of 2.8 or lower), and why pros who shoot indoor sports often use lenses that cost several thousand dollars.

Your best budget option is probably to use one session/meet/competition as a practice to see what focal length(s) you use the most, then buy a (few) fast/bright prime lens(es) in those focal lengths.

Mark

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thanks
Jan 14, 2014 4:00AM PST

Thanks for your thoughtful reply

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Answer
Indoor Sports
Jan 12, 2014 6:34AM PST

Start with the 18-135mm lens.
Set zoom for minimum zoom necessary.
Start with mode set to Auto.
Set flash to OFF
You should get some acceptable pictures.

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Thank you
Jan 14, 2014 3:55AM PST

Thanks for your prompt response. It offers me a simple solution to getting my confidence back. Again, thanks.