Taking Sport Pictures -> Results Blurry and out of focus

[Psynema]

Initially I chose the SPORTS mode INDOOR, allowing the camera to setup everything automatically, most of the pictures were taking in this mode, VERY BAD results, then I started experimenting with S mode (shutter speed), M mode (Manual) and also changing the ISO value as the picture was getting darker and I was increasing the Shutter Speed, Aperture was at 5.8 I think (that's the kit lens limitation), but after experimenting for a while I got frustrated with the results and I said maybe I should buy a Canon 7D ?, I do not know, maybe it's not the camera, it's the photographer :-(

Guessing the kit lens was too slow

 

[noirist]

Guessing the kit lens was too slow

No, the GH1 was in the wrong mode ("indoor sports"). With most of the auto modes, the GH1 strongly prefers the lowest ISO possible, never more than 400 ISO, which invariably means a slow shutter with the kit lens. To get non-blurry indoor pictures, you need to set the shutter manually to at least 1/125. To get decent exposure on indoor pictures, you need to set the white balance and exposure as well. If you panic like I have and try to use one of the GH1 auto modes your indoor sports pictures will look like crap.

 

[noirist]

What about a decent flash? How would indoor sports pictures look with a strong flash (eg., Metz 58 AF) on the GH1 with the kit lens?

 

[thisisapocalypse]

What about a decent flash? How would indoor sports pictures look with a strong flash (eg., Metz 58 AF) on the GH1 with the kit lens?

A strong flash can definitely help - but you have to be careful and respectful when shooting sports with a flash. If you can fire it remotely and have it aiming down on the subject, that's one thing, but you do not want to be firing a powerful flash at eye level towards athletes in the middle of competition.

If your intentions are seriously photograph the game/match, ask if you can sit on the floor in the out of bounds areas, offer to submit photos for the school yearbook, etc., that will probably get you access. The yearbook committee is always in desperate need for good sports photos...and why? Because sports photos are crazy difficult and most photographers in middle/high-school/even-college don't have the gear nor the experience to do it well yet (obviously with exceptions).