Camcorder help?

[kovalchuk71 212]

So I just purchased my first "real" HDV camcorder (A Canon HV-10). I am going to be using it to record our teams roller hockey games. My camera has options for shutter speed and f-stop as well as aperture. I am pretty new to all of this, but any reccomendations as to what settings I should start with? I read anywere from 1/60 to 1/500 for shutter speed, and could not find anything on f-stop but I guess it depends on the light situation at the rink? Any help would be great.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

With a camera, shutter speed is how fast the shutter is open, aperture (f-stop) is how wide the lens is up and how much light it lets in.

I don't film stuff all that often, anymore, but photography is a big hobby these days. The higher the f-stop number, the less light is let in, but you also have more in focus. The lower the f-stop number, the more light is let in, but you'll have a narrower plane of focus. When shooting sports, it's a balance between having it just fast enough that you let enough light in and capture the motion as well.

This link explains Aperture

This link explains shutter speed

For filming a rollerhockey game, I'd probably just leave it on auto so long as it doesn't look too dark.

[shotty 7]

yeah, auto is the best setting until you become an expert.

i bought a T1i about a year ago, and just happened to be good friends with a professional photographer, who, during a drunk conversation/lesson on shooting with a good camera, told me that all three settings feed off each other, and you have to find the perfect balance between them to get the shot you want... it takes a lot of time and tinkering to get it right. if you want to just set it up on a tripod and go for it, throw it on auto until you have time to go to the rink and play around with it to find the optimal settings.

i really wish i wouldnt have had that extra drink or three that night... he was throwing me valuable info and i dont remember any of it.

[larrivee 3]

For video you should probably just leave it in auto. If anything for sports you can kick up the shutter speed some, but you probably dont want to go past 1/120th or you'll start getting the uber-strobing kung fu look. The camera will probably be shooting wide open (aperture) indoors anyhow. It most likely auto gain up to maintain exposure.