NBL player gets a hit that breaks the bat

[Tii3]

I am new to this site (first post), new to photography (first SLR, got it two weeks ago), new to everythings so any help would be appreciated. So I was at a D-Backs game and was trying out my new Canon XSi. I only have the kit lens, but then I realized that my dad had on old Canon film SLR (he recently switched to a Nikon DSLR). So I tried his Sigma 100-300mm zoom lens and it was compatible. I took the lens to the game and at full zoom, which I think is 480mm (300 x 1.6, right?). The largest apperture I could get at that zoom was f/5.6. Wanting to freeze as much of the action as I could I set it to 1/200 shutter speed and ISO 1600. This is what I got.



So I have lots of questions. First is there anyother way to have a faster shutter speed (without spending $$$$ on a fast telephoto lens)? I tried some faster speeds but it seemed too dark. I would have liked to see the broken bat a little more clearly. Second, in the viewfinder the player looked in focus but the picture looks out of focus when looking close up. Is that because of the noise from the high ISO? Or is it hard to focus with that much zoom? Or is it the lens, it is probably 10 years old? Does anyone use manual focus with that much zoom?

Any other critiques?

[ressalg]

Others in the forum can answer you questions alot better than myself. But I did want to say that this is still a pretty cool shot considering the distance.

I wonder if the batter is "out of focus" for the same reason the bat is blurry... he's moving?

[gturner]

thats a great shot as it is. I think it shows the speed of play well

The only way to stop action is by increasing you shutter speed. You are obviously going to struggle with getting enough light into the image and it will be badly underexpoosed once you head past 1/800 and your camera doesn't is limited to F5.6

If you wanted to test it, rent a 400mm F2.8 L IS for a day, then you will see how the pros do it

[Tii3]

Thanks for replies. I guess I am super critical of my shots at this point. I am glad you both think it is a good shot.

[alefort]

It is a great shot! Well done, especially for recently starting out.

[nokiN]

Nice shot.

The direction action is relative to the plane of the sensor has a lot to do with what shutter speed is required.

Action moving parallel to the sensor, like your shot here, requires the most shutter speed and is the easiest to focus for.
Less shutter speed is needed if the motion is perpendicular to the sensor plane, but is the hardest to focus for.

At f/5.6 at night, you have to increase the ISO to get enough shutter speed to stop most sports action.

Pro sports photographers use some of the most expensive photography gear made.