Hello Mr. Rubin: I've preordered a CP 990 and will be getting the Nikkor 3x teleconvertor when available. I am a fledgling photographer with some good photos, many more not so good. In the past (using Oly and Epson digital cameras, Nikon SLR's) I've had poor results with both gymnasium and outdoor photography of fast action events (my boys' sports). Part of my problem was with white balance which I assume I'll be able to correct easily with the 990. The other, and more difficult one, is in the inability to stop action sharply using both the 990's telephoto and eventually the teleconvertor. What I'd really like are some general guidelines concerning overall camera settings for this particular scenario. On my Epson 850Z, the 'fast action' automatic setting did little to cut down on the blurring. I assume that my first step will be to get a good tripod and quit trying to hand hold the thing. Please don't assume you needn't go into the basics, I'm not nearly as enlightened photographically as most people on this or Steve's Digicams message boards (just plain ignorant would be a better way to put it). Thank you for your time. Also, thanks in advance to anyone else out there with suggestions, it is much appreciated. gary tuthill

-- gary tuthill (tuthill@rangenet.com), March 19, 2000

Answers

Use a tripod or monopod-makes a world of difference.

Use ISO 400 on camera.

Use Shutter priority and set to 1/250-1/1000 of a second as lighting allows.

Shoot with both eyes-one on the LCD or viewfinder-the other watching and timing the subject before and as they come into view.

Practice panning as you follow a subject-if you time your pan across with your subject-the background will blur and the subject may be sharp.... (takes practice).

Shoot with external flash when possible-not likely at a sporting event-Flash stops motion.

Start with wide angle shots and pan-then work on telephoto....

practice practice practice.

Set white balance to Sunny for outdoors and check for lighting type indoors.

If you are more than 30 feet away use forced infinity (mountain setting on the camera).

Good luck-and good shooting!

Michael

-- Mike Rubin, Product Marketing Manager Nikon (web@imaging-resource.com), March 23, 2000.

Hello gary. I have never used a digital camera before but am going to buy the 990 when available. You said your problem is blurry action pics. Increase the shutter speed by using shutter priority mode. Go greater than one sixtieth of a second. That is 1/125th of a sec or 1/250th of a second. As you increase shutter speed the aperture must open. Depth of field will decrease; narrower plane of focus; more of the picture will be blurry. But the subject should be in sharp focus. Good luck.

-- richard lindzon (richrdlin@home.com), March 19, 2000.