EOS Rebel T8i Settings for wrestling

[mmwellsfarm]

I'm renting an 18-135mm IS USM lens for my Canon T8i and was wondering what the best settings would be to get great photos of wrestling this weekend. I haven't had much luck figuring out the best ones for other lens as some gyms having different lighting at different areas or I have to improvise and use a larger lens and then forget to change my settings again so all my pictures are too dark to edit without them pixelating. It's very limited time to figure it all out before the sessions begin each time before I just have to go with what I have it set at. Any help is appreciated for low light and plenty of light as I don't know what the lighting will be like this weekend.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

I think an EF70-200 f2.8 would be a better choice at an indoor gymnasium.  The fast aperture and increased reach will be more forgiving and helpful.  

[mmwellsfarm]

I'll be right beside the mat so won't work. I tried that already.

[Waddizzle]

Use a wider aperture lens, f/2.8 or wider.  I recommend a focal length >= 50mm.  

Most gymnasiums have poor lighting conditions for photography.  If you’re on a tight budget, EF 50mm f/1.8 STM could work, but you would need to be fairly close to the mat.  

An EF 85mm f/1.8 USM gets you a little “closer”. Tthe lens is not very fast to focus, but it may be a good match for the max fps of your camera.

A 70-200mm f/2.8 would work best.  Those are a bit costly, but users are very pleased with the results.   Again, you need a wider aperture lens. 

[mmwellsfarm]

I'll be right by the mat. I have a coaches badge to get me beside them as they wrestle.

[stevet1]

mmwellsfarm,

Since time is of the essence, and you are so close to the mat, you might think about a standard run-of-the-mill 50mm f/1.8 prime. They run about $125 and can be found in local electroics stores or local camera shops.

Steve Thomas

[mmwellsfarm]

I'm not able to buy a lens right now. I just need to know what the best settings to use. Also, 50mm is something too close. They get right up on me sometimes and sometimes they are farther away. I need to be able to adjust when needed. I run around about 8-10+ mats. I'm right in the mix of chaos. I'm trying to avoid graining pictures as much as possible. I'm just still learning how to set everything manually. I used to just use the action setting which I'm trying to not do.

[stevet1]

mmwellsfarm,

Well, to me at least, with varied lighting, and action happening fast, it sounds like you would be better off using the TV, or shutter priority mode and Auto ISO.

With Tv Mode, you pick the shutter speed to freeze the action, and the camera will set the aperture and ISO for you to give you a proper exposure based on the lighting conditions at the time.

If you are moving from mat to mat in the midst of chaos, you will probably not have the luxury of time to manually adjust your settings on the go. With TV Mode, you only have to adjust one setting.

Steve Thomas

[Waddizzle]

Allowing the camera to control more than one leg of the exposure triangle is usually a recipe for occasional shots that are under or over exposed.  

The lighting conditions will not change because you’re indoors. You should be able to use the same exposure settings all day, with little need to change them.  

[mmwellsfarm]

Actually, lighting does change. Some mats have more lighting than others. Some are partially under railings causing shadows, etc. I just never know. This weekend they just announced that there will be 14 mats going for 2 days. I'll be all over the place up and down trying to get my shots. It also depends on where I can get in. Some have room for me to walk down the middle and others I have to bob and weave around the outside and lean over people.