Aperture versus Shutter priority for Action shots

[photog1107]

When shooting sports, my bias has always been to go for shutter priority over aperture, with the idea that you can correct for exposure in post, but you can't do anything about capturing better action after the fact. Now I have read several posts in the Sports Critique section that argue the other way--go for aperture priority instead to get superior shots. I need someone to help me understand this line of thinking. Is this just an exception for when there is a low light situation?

[jdepould]

I'm more likely to use A, locked wide open than to use S. Most times I use M (sometimes with auto-ISO).

[photog1107]

I guess I would like to understand why you'd choose A-priority over shutter. Can you clarify?

[inkista]

The reason I'd use Aperture-priority over Shutter Priority is if I'm trying to get out the maximum shutter speed possible to eliminate motion blur altogether. Locking the aperture to wide open pretty much guarantees that. If my Canon can't achieve a good exposure with the shutter speed set in Tv, it won't take the shot (auto ISO on the Canon side isn't as well implemented as on the Nikon). I find that frustrating. I prefer riding the aperture and iso settings in this situation, and letting the camera set the fastest shutter speed possible.

I very rarely want to lock down to a specific shutter speed. The only times I'm using shutter priority is if I want to nail down a specific amount of subject motion blur.

[photog1107]

Thanks that helps a lot. I'll keep that in mind when my exposure is at risk. In bright light, I can usually hold up to 1/800 or so without any problem, but I can understand what you mean if the auto function won't allow the shot.

I appreciate your thoughts.

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by photog1107

I can usually hold up to 1/800 or so without any problem, but I can understand what you mean if the auto function won't allow the shot.

That depends on your camera's capability.

With Nikon low noise high ISO sensor DSLR such as D3/D700, you can shoot in aperture mode, AUTO ISO enables to max at 6400 with minimum shutter speed of 1/800. Now you can select the appropriate f-stop in according to your 'superior shots'.

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by photog1107

Thanks that helps a lot. I'll keep that in mind when my exposure is at risk. In bright light, I can usually hold up to 1/800 or so without any problem, but I can understand what you mean if the auto function won't allow the shot.

I appreciate your thoughts.

The other thing to consider is that stopping down in sports doesn't really give you anything. Most people actually prefer a blown out background, so you'd want to be wide open regardless. I've shot a few games in weird weather, where the light changed rapidly, and having the shutter speed and ISO on auto freed me up to think about important things, like what the !@#$ was going on around me.