i have an sony a100 what would be the best setting for a high school night time football game?

Question

i do have the external flash for it, but i think i would be to far away for that?

Answer 1

Since your flash will be useless unless you're within 10 to 15 feet of your subject you can turn it off.

You will have to be in Manual Mode so you can make the settings - ISO, f-stop and shutter speed - yourself.

Use the fastest zoom lens you own - f2 or f2.8 would be best but f3.5 is workable.

Set your ISO to 1600 - yes, your image quality will suffer but Noise Reduction will help.

With your zoom extended to its longest focal length* wide-open, see what your shutter speed will be. Since you're photographing action you'll want it at 1/250, although 1/125 can work.. If you can't achieve either of those shutter speeds at ISO 1600 go to 3200.

One way to use a slower shutter speed is by using the "panning technique". This requires some practice since it must be done in one smooth, continuous motion. If the play is a running play developing from your right, turn your upper body in that direction. Follow the ball carrier until he is directly in front of you, release the shutter and continue following him. Auto Focus will greatly help. The ball carrier will be in crisp focus while the background will be blurred, giving the impression of speed.

Additionally, action moving towards you or away from you can be effectively captured using a slower shutter speed.

* Note that most zooms have 2 maximum apertures - one at the short end and one at the long. This is shown on the lens as, perhaps, f3.5/f4.5. A "constant aperture" zoom is better but more costly.