Indoor Sports tricks?

[SeattleMeg]

I would love to get clearer shots at my local hockey games. I have a Pentax K110D with kit 18-35mm lens, less than a week old, and I'm loving stepping up to a DSLR. Any tips other than using the action shot setting? The house lights are frequently up and down during the game, and a flash is useless from my seats in the 18th row. (I like to be able to shoot over, not through, the scratched Plexiglass...) All the tips I've read in books for sports shots seem to presume you're at an outside event. I'm in an enclosed arena. (Key Arena in Seattle, if that helps...) Just starting with enjoying pix of my games, I normally do macro and landscapes.

Thanks:D
Meg

[Saralonde]

Try checking through this thread http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18&highlight=indoor+sports. It's a bit long, but there are some posts that pertain to hockey in there.

Is your lens an 18-35 or 18-55? I thought the Pentax K110D came with an 18-55 f3.5-5.6. If that's what you have, and your shots are dark, you may have to up your ISO to compensate. You could post a sample shot here to show what you are getting and someone might be able to give you specific advice.

[SeattleMeg]

D'oh, I meant 18-55. And I posted one in the "critique my shot" forum, very helpful. it's about the only sport I attend, so I'd like to remember the really good games. :)
Thanks,
Meg

Try checking through this thread http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18&highlight=indoor+sports. It's a bit long, but there are some posts that pertain to hockey in there.

Is your lens an 18-35 or 18-55? I thought the Pentax K110D came with an 18-55 f3.5-5.6. If that's what you have, and your shots are dark, you may have to up your ISO to compensate. You could post a sample shot here to show what you are getting and someone might be able to give you specific advice.