70-200 long enough for Basketball?

[FlipsidE]

Or would the 1.4x TC be recommended also?

Thanks in advance

[gmen]

70-200 is pretty much ideal for hoops - if it's bright enough. Frequently, as evidenced by the numerous hoops posts over in the sports forum, it isn't (bright enough). ;)

However, only you will know whether the venue's lighting will allow you to work at f/2.8 and achieve a sensible shutter speed.

EDIT: Just checked you gear list and you are referring to the f/4 lens. I'm afraid that it is very likely that this will not be fast enough for most indoor venues :(

300mm is an excellent focal length to work from one end of the court to the other, or from a raised vantage point... but again the maximum aperture will come into play. Therefore the 1.4x converter is highly unlikely to be useful I'm afraid.

Looking at your gear list, the 50mm f/1.4 and/or the 85mm f/1.8 and/or the 24-70mm f/2.8L may well be your lenses of choice. This will restrict your shooting to in and around the hoop (if you're positioned on the baseline)... but I'm sure your first priority is sharp, well-exposed images which a slower aperture may not allow.

Hope that's helpful. A visit to the sports forum will allow you to glean an immense amount of knowledge about hoops shooting, particularly with the 85mm lens.

---- Gavin

[FlipsidE]

gmen,

Thanks for the quick response. If they allow flash, would the f/4 work? Long story as to why I bought the f/4L over the f/2.8L. But, I didn't intend to shoot sports. Now, it's come up, and I'd rather not have to drop the $1700 on the 2.8 IS version of that lens. This is why I'm hoping they allow flash.

Thanks

[gmen]

gmen,

If they allow flash, would the f/4 work?

Thanks
Indeed it would. I won't say that it's easy to achieve good results with on-camera flash - but, yes, you'll be able to work at f/4 comfortably. The difficulty comes in getting the flash/ambient mix right and getting consistent exposures.

I've worked with on-camera flash for hoops and the best results come with everything set up manually - camera and flash. However, this does mean that zooming pretty much goes out the window - i.e. if the subject is too far away, you simply won't get the correct exposure. It is possible to try the gun on ETTL mode, but I've found the results to be somewhat shambolic... but then I have the reputation for being a bit of a control freak :lol: ;)

If you're able to bring a second flash to the party, then you'll gain some more flexibility.

---- Gavin

[FlipsidE]

Once again, thank you. I'll go into more explaination at a later time as to why I'm trying to stick with just the f/4 rather than uprading to the 2.8 IS. Plus, I need to ask around and find out if where I want to shoot allows flash or not.

Thanks again

[FlipsidE]

If you're able to bring a second flash to the party, then you'll gain some more flexibility.

---- GavinI do have those AlienBees B1600 strobes with 13' light stands. Those dang near turn night into day at full power. Only problem there would be that I only have one Pocket-Wizard receiver. Though, who knows, the optical trigger might work that far away (if I cross my fingers).

[gmen]

I do have those AlienBees B1600 strobes with 13' light stands. Those dang near turn night into day at full power. Only problem there would be that I only have one Pocket-Wizard receiver. Though, who knows, the optical trigger might work that far away (if I cross my fingers).
Well sounds like you'd be on a winner... the optical trigger should work...again the proof of the pudding will be in the eating... otherwise, it's time to get another receiver unit.

With that much power, you should be able to work at about 3 stops over ambient - which means the flashes will do all the work... taking all the ambient/WB issues out of the equation - and definitely freezing the action.

---- Gavin

[gmen]

If you can strobe it, then these links may help:

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=18757

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=19027

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=13554

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=14727

http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/81

http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/82

---- Gavin

[FlipsidE]

Thanks Gavin!

[PhotosGuy]

Nice links, Gavin! Of course I'm going to steal them & add them to my list! ;)
Q&A Session with Gmen: Sports Photography
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=116971

(Sites Recommended by Gavin)
Dave Black Photography - take a look at the workshop archives link
http://www.daveblackphotography.com/
Press Photos.com
http://www.press-photos.com/
London Freelance.org
http://media.gn.apc.org/
Editorial Photographers UK
http://www.epuk.org/