Need advice

[JAJ1958]

This weekend I was taking photos at indoor track meet. The lighting was fairly dim, particularly later in the day. Since there was a fair amount of movement (trying to photograph runners) I was shooting at shutter speeds of generally 1/400-1/500. ISO of 1600. At times the shutter would not release. I would try then try to reduce the shutter speed until I could take the picture. Any ideas? Was it simply not enough light for shutter speed I was attempting to use? Anything else I could have done differently?

[wave01]

hi and welcome,what type of camera and lens please

[cosmicma]

depending on your camera ( canon dslrs for example ) some cameras have a setting to not hunt if focus can't be gained this will also prevent the shutter releasing
you can switch this feature off in one of the menus so the focus will continuously hunt until it gains focus

because of the low light situation you were photographing in it might be the answer

a cure for it would be to use a faster lens ie F2.8 for example but with not knowing the kit you was using it's hard to come up with a definite answer

[JAJ1958]

I have a Sony A77 and was using a Sigma 70-200mm F 2.8 lens.

[Edmack]

Shooting RAW? Ed.

[psionwingnut]

On my Sony A450 if it is unable to focus, maybe poor light, then the shutter will not operate. Increase the ISO and use the fastesat aperture on your lens may work then.

GM

[wave01]

this sounds like the focus isnt locking does the lens hunt. as said all ready up the iso and see what happens

[JAJ1958]

Yes, I was shooting RAW

[Edmack]

If, as I read, you are getting some pics, then "Buffering" may be the cause, read up on it in inst. Try taking anything, any settings, continuous shooting, using RAW & jpg, then jpg only, count how many shots you get with each. Answer is to shoot jpg, only, under some circumstances/conditions. Reducing the jpg quality will also help. . Card write read/write speed comes into this also, as I understand. Ed.

[JAJ1958]

Thank you. I will give that a try.