It’s finally time to look for a new camera, my cell phone is just not cutting it. I take a lot of photos at the KHP indoor and they all come out blurry. It’s driving me nuts! Any suggestions for a good low light, action shots camera? Thanks!
Such a thing does not exist as digital sensors need more light than actual film ever did. You need the increased lighting of an external flash - preferably several set up in an array - to get good shots in any indoor horse arena, especially since the lighting is usually subpar and yellow and it gets worse the farther you are from the center. For some reason, few indoor sports venues use copious amounts of clear, white lighting and prefer dim, greasy yellow lighting. It really does make all the difference for photos.
What’s your budget?
It all depends on the adjustment of the camera. I am not at all tech savvy with my Canon and probably don’t deserve it, but I’ve gotten some great pics in indoors with flash on and a high ISO. Or is it low? I can’t remember.
But even my camera will take terribly awful pictures unless I set it appropriately. How I set it, I wouldn’t know… I just tinker around until the display looks more acceptable.
For shooting indoor action shots you’ll need a real camera set-up and the skill to use said equipment since indoor/action photography is tricky. ( here are some options and tips though, http://www.adorama.com/alc/0014611/article/indoor-sports-photography-camera-lens-gear-guide )
If you’re really into photography, you’ll be best off asking this on a photography specific forum, they will have a better idea about shooting indoor sports.
If you just want clear pictures, I would recommend saving your money and just buying shots from the professional at the venue. Or just take video. or take blurry pictures and turn them into black and white and call them ‘artsy’. 
[IMG]http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t647/bilbothemustang/483_zps1b6442d5.jpg)
It also depends on your lens.
You need a wide aperture, low-ish shutter speed, high ISO. Basically you’ll need a real camera set up, not a point and shoot from Best Buy.
These were all shot in the indoor where I board:
Now, I’m very spoiled with a big beautiful indoor with a ton of natural light, but there are no actual lights in there. I also don’t use a flash–it’s glaring and harsh. For a less well lit indoor, you’re going to need to invest in some serious equipment to get good photos.
[QUOTE=skipollo;7837506]
You need a wide aperture, low-ish shutter speed, high ISO. Basically you’ll need a real camera set up, not a point and shoot from Best Buy.
…
I also don’t use a flash–it’s glaring and harsh. For a less well lit indoor, you’re going to need to invest in some serious equipment to get good photos.[/QUOTE]
All of this… you can shoot indoors without a flash (depending on distance, flash won’t work well anyway.
DSLR with capability of shooting relative quality high ISO, fast lens(s), shoot raw (so you can adjust white balance for the type of light in the arena).
Or buy photos/hire a pro - probably less expensive in the long run.
[QUOTE=Where’sMyWhite;7837902]
All of this… you can shoot indoors without a flash (depending on distance, flash won’t work well anyway.
DSLR with capability of shooting relative quality high ISO, fast lens(s), shoot raw (so you can adjust white balance for the type of light in the arena).
Or buy photos/hire a pro - probably less expensive in the long run.[/QUOTE]
^^ This.
I would look for a DSLR that has good reviews for shooting at a higher ISo, but you really need to spend your money on a nice lens. Something like 70-200mm 2.8. (can be had for around $1500 used).
I did not have my 2.8 lens with me once because the event I was shooting was supposed to be held at an outdoor venue and I was just going to shoot for fun. When I made it to the outdoor location, they had moved the event across town, to an indoor venue. Oy! I thought I was biffed. Luckily, my little Nikon did fine once I jacked up the ISO a bit and played around with the shutter speed. I did not have any grain issues and I was able to get clear, decently lit photos that with a little LR work turned out quite nice.
[QUOTE=Honu;7837148]
It’s finally time to look for a new camera, my cell phone is just not cutting it. I take a lot of photos at the KHP indoor and they all come out blurry. It’s driving me nuts! Any suggestions for a good low light, action shots camera? Thanks![/QUOTE]
I’m a huge fan of Panasonic’s ZS series, this review for the 2014 ZS40.
(look for sales as the next model hits the market … note each new model offers some changes, sometimes these are changes that suit you as the individual, sometimes not so much).
As of 2014 it still remains the only pocket camera that uses optical focus in video mode (my initial “want” that led me to this camera).
I did shoot some video in an indoor, natural light, lots of shifting light due to the design of the (gorgeous) arena - it did surprisingly well, as a comparison I have some professional video from another indoor with similar (but more consistent) light levels. The overall quality of both videos is comparable.
There are some local (major) event indoor arenas, where even the pro’s won’t shoot video, so know your venues 
(the raw stills the pro’s shoot (at this venue) are also :no: digitally “enhanced” they’re OK - I suppose :lol: I dd see a good # of people buying, though I wasn’t similarly tempted).
It’s all very well to suggest that one hire a pro etc, BUT I was very disappointed that NONE were willing to shoot video (despite being on-site & the only “allowed” photographers) for the dressage shows (same photographer offers video at the H/J shows at same venue) … then there are the many local shows where no photographers are interested.
Camera Labs review - offers video as well :yes:
(for some reason my fav camera review site isn’t coming up on a quick google, but I think these will give a good analysis … always check that the reviews are actually independent & not just hosted in multiple places)
ETA seems like everyone wanted to do a full on review of this model
Make sure to read up on white balance. Depending on the lighting source, colors may come out very odd if you don’t adjust the white balance first or you may have to fix it in Photoshop later. I prefer to fix it before shooting, but YMMV.
[QUOTE=Kestrel;7839398]
Make sure to read up on white balance. Depending on the lighting source, colors may come out very odd if you don’t adjust the white balance first or you may have to fix it in Photoshop later. I prefer to fix it before shooting, but YMMV.[/QUOTE]
In general, yes address white balance before shooting but if you shoot raw, you can adjust white balance in post processing (and you don’t need PS for post, Nikon has nice free software and Lightroom is also not too expensive ).
[QUOTE=Honu;7837148]
It’s finally time to look for a new camera, my cell phone is just not cutting it. I take a lot of photos at the KHP indoor and they all come out blurry. It’s driving me nuts! Any suggestions for a good low light, action shots camera? Thanks![/QUOTE]
What’s your budget?
Indoor / fast action / moving focus situations are the most demanding situation for any camera. While cell phone cameras work well for outdoor shooting or nearly-still subject, they will always fare poorly in the case you describe.
Every year cameras get better, but pro level equipment is necessary to get the best possible shots in the widest array of indoor venues. Some things you can do to maximize any camera’s performance in this situation
- Set it to sport mode / night mode / high ISO sensitivity
- Get in closer to the subject
- Turn on the flash ***
*** This often happens automatically and only works when you are within 10 feet and the horse and rider are ok with it. I strive to avoid flash at all costs. At least have the decency to know how to disable flash on your camera so that you don’t pop flash where it’s unwelcome. - Turn on more lights / shoot where the subject is most well lit. Some places don’t turn on all lights to save cost, but will for a while if you ask. You may also be able to open a door and cast some outside light.
- Stabilize the camera against a solid surface to limit the portion of blur due to camera shake
- Follow the moving subject with your camera so that the overall motion does not blur the shot
- Avoid trying to autofocus on a subject that is moving to or away from you. If you must shoot this way, pre-focus the camera on a stationary object and take the shot when the horse/rider arrive at that distance.
- White balance matters some, but can be corrected mostly after the fact. Setting white balance in the field works better but won’t matter unless you get your focus and shutter speed issues under control.
- Buy better equipment. The best results come from an SLR with large aperture lenses. These are heavy and expensive. If I get no better than 1/60s using all of my tricks, I put the camera away because it’s simply out the range of my equipment.
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