BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

ANDRAY STROUD

Shooting NBA Basketball Game

I own a Nikon D40x and want to take pictures at the Houston Rockets NBA game. I will be using my 200mm lens. Is there enough lighting in a basketball arena to take good photos with using a flash? Largest fstop is 5.6 on my lens when at 200mm.

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February 06, 2008

Hi Andray,
For starters, you will need a good vantage point of course - as close to the court as possible. Next, you will need a powerful external flash gun (the on-board peanut flash is, well, a peanut flash). And even a powerful external flash gun won't be enough. But combined with a 'BetterBeamer' flash extender – and a tripod! – you will have a viable setup.
Good hunting!

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February 06, 2008

However, ambient light photos of basketball games - no flash - are much more 'alive' than those flash-frozen snapshots. Sure, they're much trickier too, of course, and require an expensive low-light lens. And most exposures will bomb. Well over 90% in fact. But when you get a good one, it can be a VERY good shot! Never mind the noise with a high ISO. You can work on that later, and nobody minds a bit of grain in dynamic shots like that. Shoot supported, RAW, bracket, and sequences. As many exposures as possible.
Have fun!

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February 06, 2008

ANDRAY STROUD

I am so sorry. I was so confused by your answer but that is because I did not asked the correct question. I want to be able to take photos NOT using a flash. Natural light of the stadium.

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February 06, 2008

Bernard

Andray,
You will not be able to get good photos without flash using a f/5.6, and that's an understatement. I am in the process of experimenting with no and low light. The smallest lens I use is f/2.8, my largest is f/1.4.

Editor's Note: Also check out BetterPhoto's online course - Basics of Sports Photography, taught by pro sports shooter and author Newman Lowrance.

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February 07, 2008

ANDRAY STROUD

I took excellent photos with NO FLASH, no Problem....Lowered the shutter speed and boom good picture came out.

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February 07, 2008

Bernard

Well Andry
If you keep telling lies like that, you won't have to worry about low light in the place where you'll be going.

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February 07, 2008

Tom Recklein

Andray,

I shot a few at a hockey game a while back with the short lens (18-55mm) and no flash. Not all came out but as pointed out above, but the ones that did were pretty good. I did not have a tri/mono pod to cure the shakes, but your question is sufficient light, and I didn't have trouble. I suspect the lighting at an NBA game is similar, so you should not have trouble. see example shot at f5.6.

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February 17, 2008

Bernard

Now I see where the disagreement is!
Tom, do you call those pretty good, no disrepect, but I don't.

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February 17, 2008

Bernard

I will show you some wonderful no flash photo's at a wedding using the D80 f2.8, but I have'nt got permission at this time. an additional not: the affordable cameras out this year with low light capabilities, combined with fast lenses makes one wonder.

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February 17, 2008

ANDRAY STROUD

tom, you pictures were good. I have not idea what bernard is talking about... you used no flash and a basic wide angle lens... I am waiting to see what bernard can pull off. I took several good shots at the NBA game withno flash.

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February 17, 2008

- Gregory LaGrange

BetterPhoto Member

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The gauntlet has been thrown down.

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February 17, 2008

- Dennis Flanagan

BetterPhoto Member

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Most Pro venu's are going to have plenty of light. The key is to get the light reading on the court, not from the stands where the light levels are usually lower. If you shoot from the stands on auto, you're probably not going to get the results you want. You need to get your light reading where the action is taking place, then shoot on maunal.

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February 18, 2008

Tom Recklein

Well Bernard, as they say, nobody asked you. I said "pretty good" to so that nobody would get the impression they were "great". Since you were the only one who took issue with it, I think most got the idea. The goal here was to assist Andray with a lighting issue, not win photo of the year. The photo merely points out there is sufficient light without flash, and you don't need the entire studio. I suspect if I would have had a 75-300mm and a tripod they would have been better. I took mine as a lighting experiment to see what I could get. As far as the gauntlet, noble but pointless, My gallery is what it is.

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February 18, 2008

Bernard

Tom point taken and understood and gallery viewed, Now Andry, What was your original question? I would have given a complete analogy of the photo, FOCUS, action, field of view, where's the puck? if you would you be satisfied with that lens, and five coming out Good out of hundred, even as Tom stated 'not all came out' then go for it, that's as as good as it gets, but then I suppose that's good enough for you.

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February 18, 2008

Oliver Anderson

Exciting News...I Have photographed a major Turtle Race in a Very dark bar in Orange County and used a 5.6 lens with absolutly No Problem...even got some with that blur to show the true speed of the slow turtles. Hope to shoot the snail race with a 5.6 lens next.

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February 18, 2008

- Dennis Flanagan

BetterPhoto Member

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Oliver, I think there is a paint drying competition at Home Depot....

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February 18, 2008

Tom Recklein

Anyone else feel the urge to bow and pay homage to Bernard? He apparently doesn't read well, as he is looking for the puck and still doesn't know Andry was just trying to resolve a lighting issue. Yes there is a FOCUS issue, caused by the lighting issue Andry was trying to resolve. Now I will type slow. The goal was to show Andry the results attained in a given situation, not write a book report on a hockey game. As Dennis pointed out, the light on the court/ice is the key, not what's in the stands. If he uses the 200mm he will be "much closer" to the action than I was at 48mm. I'm off to home depot!! Good luck Andray.