Football on a Sunday morning... at 400mm and 560mm...

[gmen]

Some Sunday morning action of all things, but the chance to try out the 400mm and 1.4x extender in some 'good' lighting conditions. I've been asked to shoot a few pics for a book on Sunday morning football, so it was a good time to try a few shots at 560mm - and, on a small pitch, that's 'tight'... rest assured ;)

A midfield tussle at 560mm...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/sm001.JPG

A midfield tussle at 400mm...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/sm002.JPG

Bursting through the gap at 400mm...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/sm003.JPG

Action on the far touchline at 560mm...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/sm004.JPG

Goalmouth action from the other end of the pitch at 560mm...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/sm005.JPG

Into the sun at 560mm...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/sm006.JPG

Just to show that it really was Sunday morning action ;) here's the boy stood by the post pic...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/sm007.JPG

That winning feeling at 560mm...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/sm008.JPG

Hmmm. It would have been nice to have shot more into the sun, but it was a tadge too low to make the most of it. Thanks very much for looking!

---- Gavin

[Dave_G]

supersonic! the last one is cracking!

I assume you use a monopod Gavin? or are you in fact Dr David Banner?

[fslshooter]

Superb as usual! I especially like #6 - Into the sun at 560mm... I sincerely appreciate your not only telling us but also showing us proof that photos like these are possible. I'm anxious for the baseball season to start here in a few more months because I fully intend to employ the technique myself this season.

[DwightMcCann]

Marvelous, marvelous ... a good chance for me to test out the Opanda EXIF reader I just installed in Firefox ... also marvelous.

[MTalley]

Excellent, as always, gmen. Love to see your work (and others, too). Thanks for sharing the lens info, too. Always a treat so see what was shot with what.

I'm waitin' for baseball season to start back up, too. Found out our local AA league stadium has no restrictions on bringing in professional equipment. Also found out from an inside source that if there aren't any working press photogs there, the staff will most likely allow you to stand in the photog pits if you have appropriate equipment.

I'd post a few that I've taken from above the field, but they were prior to me learning more about proper settings, etc. for shooting night stadium games. (i.e. the good ones are a bit blurry).

[leonardo]

Amazing!!!! Wow!!!
I love shooting football but I just have the 75-300 f4, so I miss the length and the DOF.
Once more, congratulations.

[drisley]

I love the background blur you are able to get, and the incredible colours.
Perfect timing on the last picture too!

[LMP]

I'm beggining to wonder if I'll ever be able to get that colour and pop that is your trademark Gavin!!!

I think Santa is bringing me a 1.4 TC , so am looking forward to hooking it up with my 300 f/4 in the new year :)

[grego]

Nice stuff Gavin. I'm finally going to post my futbol College Cup/Championship photos from a couple of weeks ago(dec 2nd and 4th to be exact) soon. :)

This post is just pushing me to do it faster.

[musicmate]

Brilliant shots shear quality i have no idea how you get them so sharp with a great dof

[gmen]

supersonic! the last one is cracking! I assume you use a monopod Gavin? or are you in fact Dr David Banner?:lol: Cheers Dave! Yep, a monopod is vital with the 400mm. I've managed to handhold the 300mm with some success, but the 400 is a different beastie altogether - it's an awful lot of lens to hulk about.

Hope things have settled down a bit in Hemel!

---- Gavin

[Croasdail]

Man... you are tempting me. I have been pondering the 400 for some time now... looking for bargins.. but so far have been able to resist the pull to buy one of these lenses. If there were a place near I could rent\hire one... I would go that rout. But you are make a very strong care for it. I think that is why I am enjoying shooting indoor right now because the need for it just isn't there. I am going to have to avoid your posts for a while....

[Dave_G]

:lol: Cheers Dave! Yep, a monopod is vital with the 400mm. I've managed to handhold the 300mm with some success, but the 400 is a different beastie altogether - it's an awful lot of lens to hulk about.

Hope things have settled down a bit in Hemel!

---- Gavin

yeah sort of normal now..ish

people don't realise that a 400mm prime is much bigger and heavier than a 100-400 zoom.

[gmen]

I'm anxious for the baseball season to start here in a few more months because I fully intend to employ the technique myself this season.Have fun Jerry... when the lighting is right, I can't get enough of that rim lighting effect now!

---- Gavin

[liza]

Marvelous work, as always, Gavin. The colors are superb, and the sheer joy on the faces of those fellows in the last shot is priceless!

[gmen]

Marvelous, marvelous ... a good chance for me to test out the Opanda EXIF reader I just installed in Firefox ... also marvelous.Thanks Dwight... do I need one of these marvellous Opanda dooberries???! Do tell!

---- Gavin

[gmen]

I'm waitin' for baseball season to start back up, too. Found out our local AA league stadium has no restrictions on bringing in professional equipment. Also found out from an inside source that if there aren't any working press photogs there, the staff will most likely allow you to stand in the photog pits if you have appropriate equipment.Thanks MTalley!

Sounds like you're well sorted for the baseball season. Shooting from the pit will be ideal... I'd imagine the low angle will make for some dramatic images... don't forget to post 'em!

---- Gavin

[DwightMcCann]

Gavin, it's free so, yes, you probably need it! :-)

[gmen]

Amazing!!!! Wow!!!
I love shooting football but I just have the 75-300 f4, so I miss the length and the DOF.
Once more, congratulations.Thanks very much leonardo.

The zoom you've got should be able to get you some great results in good lighting. My only bit of advice would be to crank the zoom out to 300mm and keep it there - tape it up if you have to - don't, under any circumstances, be tempted to zoom out!

---- Gavin

[QUASIPHOTO]

As always Gavin........just a real pleasure to view your work and learn from you. Thanks for posting, and always being paitent enough to explain your techniques.

[gmen]

As always Gavin........just a real pleasure to view your work and learn from you. Thanks for posting, and always being paitent enough to explain your techniques.
Much appreciated QUASI... I'm pleased to hear that some of my waffling has been helpful! ;)

---- Gavin