Is this the best I'll get?

[radical]

I'm shooting a Nikon D3100 with a 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 tele. Looking at this pic is that the best I can figure on getting with taking hockey pictures?
I have to shoot with a really high shutter speed in sports mode other wise the pictures are all blurry.

_CSC0134 Edit.JPG (51.41 KiB) Viewed 889 times

[bob_r]

To get the highest shutter speed possible with your camera, put it in Aperture Priority mode and then set the aperture to the lowest setting possible (f/4 - f/5.6 depending on your focal length).
Set your ISO at 3200, which is probably as high as you can go and get usable results, although you may want to try it at 6400 (Hi1) to see if it's usable. I wouldn't waste time with Hi2(12800).
This settings will give you the fastest shutter speed available for your camera.

I don't shoot with Nikon equipment, but when shooting in "sports mode" or other "Auto/Scene modes, most camera manufacturers limit the ISO setting to a lower number than is usable on the camera.
This will reduce the noise, but it also limits shutter speed. By going to an Aperture priority, Shutter Priority or Manual setting, you can set the ISO yourself and you get to decide what's acceptable rather than the camera.

Be sure to try these setting before going to an event where you'll need them. You'll want to already know the highest ISO setting that you find acceptable.

Hope this helps.

[radical]

I'll give it a try thanks, what should I have the AF area mode set at single point or dynamic? Also what should I have the metering set at matrix or center-weighted?
I've been shooting in single point and center weighted.
Thanks

[bob_r]

I'll give it a try thanks, what should I have the AF area mode set at single point or dynamic? Also what should I have the metering set at matrix or center-weighted?
I've been shooting in single point and center weighted.
Thanks

Single point AF allows you to select the subject, where dynamic allows the camera to choose. Personally, I like to make those decisions myself, so I choose single point.

When shooting subjects on an all white surface, like the ice, your metering would be skewed to make your images darker since your metering system would try to view that white surface as 18% grey.
Consequently, Center-weighted will normally give you better metering in these instances.