Took the X1 to a youth hockey game

[purduealum91]

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This was my first serious outing with the X1. I shot behind either plexiglass or netting the entire time. I used manual focus only. All photos were processed in Aperture 3. I used Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro on some of them. Let me know what you guys think.

 

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[hpu]

This series give me that extra push to get a X1.

Like it very much. It is great that one can use the X! also for sport. You can see the puck sliding over the ice.

Thanks for showing.

[jsrockit]

This one is nice:

 

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[janmartm]

Very nice set! Just shows how well the X1 can do.

Can you elaborate a bit on how you took the shots? I imagine you used the manual focus to determine your focus plane, and then took the shots when the composition was to your liking?

 

Jan Martijn

[siangs]

Great shot, X1 rocks

[barjohn]

You guys are kidding right? Those shots are blurry and not very sharp. Any decent P&S like a Canon S90 could produce better sharper shots. I know the X1 can produce sharp images but this isn't an example of it. Also color balance seems to have shifted.

[purduealum91]

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Thanks everyone (including barjohn ). I have a few more to process.

I shot these pics hand-held at ISO 1600. Barjohn, the reason these are blurry is because most of them were shot thru plexiglass. Another reason is the shutter speed wasn't fast enough at ISO 1600. I didn't go to 3200, but next time I may.

[barjohn]

Thanks everyone (including barjohn ). I have a few more to process.

I shot these pics hand-held at ISO 1600. Barjohn, the reason these are blurry is because most of them were shot thru plexiglass. Another reason is the shutter speed wasn't fast enough at ISO 1600. I didn't go to 3200, but next time I may.

 

What isn't evident is how much is due to motion blur, camera shake and zone focusing. Perhaps going to a higher ISO would help to eliminate a few of the variables. Can you share shutter speed and f-stop for the images as well as the ZF settings?

[jaapv]

You guys are kidding right? Those shots are blurry and not very sharp. Any decent P&S like a Canon S90 could produce better sharper shots. I know the X1 can produce sharp images but this isn't an example of it. Also color balance seems to have shifted.

+1 And it does not seem to hold the highlights very well. I may be using it on auto with this rather difficult light.

[stnolan]

I have found hockey rinks to be probably the most challenging lighting environment I have encountered, especially without flash and handheld.

[purduealum91]

Barjohn,

 

All of the pics were shot f2.8. No flash was used. I'll take a look tonight to see what the shutter speeds were.

[NZDavid]

Good results in a very challenging setting. The X1 isn't really the ideal camera for this! There's a reason the pros tote around those hefty great SLRs with fast long lenses -- typically f/2.8 200, 300, or even 400, with a monopod. And why low noise at high ISO is important. But you don't want to lug something like that around every day. The Leica M with the superb 135 lens is also excellent.

 

Definitely a good idea to turn the flash off. I have never figured out why at any big sports match you always see thousands of tiny flashes popping -- happily illuminating all the action six feet away and no further.

 

Looks like you were able to get reasonably close to the action, even with the 35. As a suggestion, why not try panning the camera to follow one of the players, so the background is blurred? You don't need to worry about the fastest shutter speed then, and can crank down the ISO to maybe 800 or even 400. Definitely worth experimenting. Thanks for posting.

[jsrockit]

I think the results are fine... shit, they are through glass and what looks like a fence at slow shutter speeds and wide open. They are casual snapshots of a kids game, not sports illustrated. Who cares if another camera could do it as well. Why is everyone expecting the X1 to take pictures other cameras cannot?

 

There is nothing wrong with this picture:

 

[siangs]

I think the results are fine... shit, they are through glass and what looks like a fence at slow shutter speeds and wide open. They are casual snapshots of a kids game, not sports illustrated. Who cares if another camera could do it as well. Why is everyone expecting the X1 to take pictures other cameras cannot?

 

There is nothing wrong with this picture:

 

 

 

I agree, there is nothing wrong with this picture, in fact it is a good shot. it's not easy taking picture behind glasses. and this picture is taken with X1 not big bulky DSLR. You can not compare it with a professional sport DSLR. X1 is a point and shoot camera and so we use it for fun.

[Guest stnami]

There is nothing wrong with this picture:

:D:eek:

Don't lower your standards whatever you do guys.....

[jsrockit]

I guess I can just appreciate it for being a casual snapshot at a hockey game. I don't care if it isn't sharp and all that stuff. It's not like he can change the lens on the X1 or get on the ice to get a better perspective. I'm not expecting (insert your favorite photographer) type photos just because someone is using a X1. This camera is not a magical device... it is just a camera.

[Ecaton]

Look, mama, it can even take pictures....

[Guest stnami]

This camera is not a magical device... it is just a camera.

and this image is up to the standard of any $300 P&S.

 

If you strive for mediocrity then so be it. The thread is all yours

[h00ligan]

What's going on with the color balance? look at 48-51.... Maybe i'm glossing over the thread too fast.

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Hallo,

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[peterb]

It's certainly a great shot for your family's album for sure.

 

Other than that, I'm not so sure.

 

I still have high hopes for the X1 but more examples I see the more the doubts are rising.