Manual Settings for baseball games HELP

[Rosy]

What would you use to meter the proper exposure for a baseball game. My son plays 2nd base and the turf /field seems to overexpose the images - any suggestions? Meter off a tree/sky? Or am I totlaly missing it???

 

[Big Mike]

Can you show us some examples?

Ideally, you would want to meter off of something that is mid toned and is in the same light as your subject. The green field should be pretty close. So first, decide what your creative goal for the shot is. It's probably getting a nice sharp shot, so you probably want to choose a faster shutter speed. Then fill the frame with green grass, then adjust your aperture and ISO (in manual mode) until the needle gets to the --0--.
You should now have pretty good exposure of anything that is in the same light as that grass. And because you set the exposure in manual mode, you shouldn't have to change your settings, until the light changes.

Of course, if you see that this exposure isn't what you want (if it's too bright) then just subtract exposure by adjusting either the aperture, the shutter speed or the ISO. Once you get to where you want it, leave it alone.

 

[KmH]

What metering mode are you using?

 

[Christie Photo]

I'd stick with the auto exposure for while. Try the +/- compensation setting.

The camera can react quicker than we can in changing light. I'm an "always manual" guy, but this might be the time to let the camera do the work.

Good luck!

-Pete

 

[Rosy]

matrix (did i answer that right...)

 

[subscuck]

matrix (did i answer that right...)

I think that's the same as evaluative in Canon. That looks at all the light in the view finder and averages it out. I'd probably use spot metering and point it at the grass close to your kid and set it from that.

 

[KmH]

matrix (did i answer that right...)

Yep, that's one of the 3 metering modes a Nikon has.

You can also choose center-weighted or spot metering modes. All 3 are explained in your D80 user's manual - page 52

If you don't have the D80 user's manual, you can download a PDF of it here: http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D80_en.pdf

But, I agree that spot metering mode is what to use for shooting baseball.

What shooting mode do you use? P, A, S, M, or one of the auto settings like Sports mode?

 

[keethjon]

Another simple solution might be to just use your camera exposure compensation EV feature. Just take a couple of test shots using EV-1 or EV-2 or anything in between. That is assuming the grass is what is mainly being read by your meter.

Keith
Easy Basic Photography

 

[table1349]

There are some familiar old sayings to remind us of simple tasks. One of the most famous being Lefty loosey righty tighty.
For sports photography a good saying would be Spot for Sports.

As already stated spot metering the mid tone range will work in most situations for sports. The one time you will want to average you spot meter reading is in close/full contact sports such as football when the opposing teams have vastly contrasting uniforms with a wide range of tones. The Oregon Ducks often are a perfect example just in their own uniform selection for a game with out ever considering what the other team is wearing.