Pro basketball photos

[jamesino]

What kind of shutter speeds do the professional photographers sitting on the side of NBA basketball games use? Assuming they're using a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L prime lens and a 1Ds Mark III full-frame body.

 

[RyanLilly]

probably 1/500 or so, enough to freeze action. I'm not sure but I think in basketball they may be using shorter lenses. a NBA court is 94 x 50 feet. sometimes the action is pretty close so they probably shoot a few different focal lengths.

 

[jamesino]

oh, so the lighting inside a professional basketball court is adequate to use 1/500 with a wide aperture?

 

[duncanp]

oh, so the lighting inside a professional basketball court is adequate to use 1/500 with a wide aperture?

no, a lot of flash / high iso is used as often the pictures dont need to be blown up too big so the noise doesnt matter

 

[RKW3]

Those pro cameras can handle the high ISO's.