[zdoppiklonikaa]

I shoot film, and one of the main reason I still use film is that it provides better result at ISO 1600 and higher. Last time I shot a kumdo competition, I was shooting at ISO 1600, getting about 90th to 125th second shutter speed, and used a monopod (easier to mover around), with a f/2.8 80-200 zoom. I was using Kodak's chromogenic b/w film (nominally rated at 400, processes in C41 chemical) underexposed by 2 stops. The results looked great.

A friend of mine was shooting at the same competition with a digital SLR, a Nikon D70, set at the same ISO, and the digital images were definitely grainier and noisier than the film images. Note that color images are more prone to this problem than b/w images on digital cameras.

Some observations -

1. Even at 125th shutter speed, you'll get blurring.

2. If your lens is slower than f/2.8, forget it.

3. Unless you're using a very light camera and lens, you'll want something to steady your camera & lens - monopod with a lens with a tripod collar works well. I personally don't like tripods at sporting events, as they get in the way of other people and is more difficult to move around with.

4. Don't use flash - it gets in the way of the competitors and officials, and it's simply rude. I see a lot of kids with point and shoot digital cameras flashing away at competitions, and it's annoying.

5. Make sure it's ok to photograph an event - check with the organizers.