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How to avoid grainy photo inside a gym?


I recently took some photos in a college gym with a Pentex 35 mm camera with a 70 mm zoom. I first used 400 speed film (kodak max) and the pictures were dark and kinda grainy. Then I used 800 kodak max film and they are really grainy. Is it my film or that my flash is not catching up to my zoom. They were not fast action pictures..just pictures of players shooting baskets. I just bought a Canon Rebel Ti SLR and plan to take more pictures on Saturday..what speed of film do you suggest? This will be an afternoon game, so there will be some light coming from the windows...but this is at Allen Fieldhouse, so a big place. Please help!! :)
thanks


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February 04, 2004

 

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  TMAX 400 has a nice tight grain for a fast speed film. I would use that. Or, if you must use an 800 speed.

In using fast films, you cannot avoid the grain. If you don't like grain, and you are shooting in low light situations, it's time for a digital camera.

I don't know about using flash. It would depend on how close you are to the players. If you have a really strong flash, it may add some light. In most cases, I see people using flash and it's maybe lighting up about 10 feet in front of them. In other words, it's a waste of flash.

TMAX 400 is a little grainy, but not much. It shouldn't be that bad. I use it all the time.(of course, I like grain...I even make my digital prints grainy so it looks like I used film).

Jerry


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February 04, 2004

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  Where's Allen fieldhouse?
But sounds like you just got under exposed pictures. Both times. And under exposed 800 is just grainier than under exposed 400.
I think you're too far away for your flash to reach if you were shooting from the stands. And you didn't say what the f/stop was. So I'm going to guess that you have a small zoom, about 35-70mm, and at 70 it's around f/5.6.
If you were using a built in flash, it's not going to be strong enough.
I've shot college ball with light that would give 1/500 at 1600 with a f/2.8 lens. But can't really tell you much since I can't see Allen fieldhouse in person.
So you can try adjusting from that to what your lens will give at it's maximum aperture.


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February 04, 2004

 
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