Low light sports photography

[Doug B]

Hi all. I'm a hobbist photographer with a Digital Rebel and a soon to arrive 20D. I take many shots at my son's soccer and lacrosse games at night (high school lighted fields after dark). I understand that this is a difficult task even for pros but it has been especially tough for me. How do you stop the action under these lighting conditions? I have a sigma 70-200 2.8 lens that seems to work marginally well. Any suggestions on Camera settings? I am considering purchasing a Canon L series 70-200 2.8 IS lens. I understand that this lens is much better than the sigma, especially with the IS feature. Is it worth the expense of the lens? Will this lens work well for these conditions? How would you set the camera under these conditions? Comments from those that are more experienced than me would be greatly appreciated!

[MJPhotos24]

For darker situations I set my 20D to "H" (3200) and then keep the shutter around 400 or 500. Also you can find certain areas of the field that are better lit and just hope the action comes your way. I don't know to much about soccer but do that for baseball (luckily though they don't move THAT much). I hate shooting dark games, what time of day do they play at? All sports around here is usually 4:30 or so with Varsity to follow so you get at least a half hour or so to get good lit shots.

[liza]

No, it isn't worth the expense for the IS, although that lens is excellent. Image stabilization is for static rather than dynamic images (with the exception of panning in mode 2). High school fields after dark are a nightmare for a photographer. Try using a high ISO as Mike recommended with a wide open aperture and consider using a monopod. The 200mm focal length is going to fall short for field sports, also. I use a teleconverter to make up the difference for daytime games.
Another suggestion would be the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8. If you're willing to drop the money for the Canon lens, you might want to check out the Sigma. It's probably one of the sharpest and best zooms made for field sports, and is definitely on my list.

[MazerRakhm]

I've thought about the Sigma as well, that extra 100 at the long end would be good for across the field shots. (I also have the 70-200 2.8L) High school fields are DARK, it would be so much nicer if football was played in the summer when the daylight lasts longer.

[AjP]

its depends on situation:
1. Try to use flash to feel the light (if u can)
2. Use Manual or AV, if exposure going below 1/250 ...may be go higher ISO or switch to RAW
3. Better to use f2.8 lens for faster focusing

my personal preferences for night sport to have at alest 1/400 and up, f2.8

[Little Fish]

When it comes to action shots, I would agree that the IS doesn't help but keep in mind that not all sports shots are action shots. The IS might help you get a good shot of the goalkeeper poised to make a play or players in a wall on a direct kick or closeups of coaches/players on the sideline. While you can probably get these shots without getting camera shake by going to the 3200 ISO setting, I like to have the ability to drop back to 1600 ISO or 800 ISO and get these shots. When I do that, the IS is a great feature.

All that being said, I can't say if it is worth the money for another person. I have the IS on my 70-200 and I think it was money well spent for sports and for my other photography.

[Emenresu]

An option not metioned is the 200mm f1.8, i belive its quite expensive though.

[goatee]

The 200mm f/1.8 is a stunning lens, and less than the 70-200mm f/1.8 as far as I believe - you lose some flexibility, but you get a lens which outresolves almost all (if not all) other Canon lenses.

[liza]

I have the 200 f/2.8, which is a great lens for field sports when paired with the 1.4x teleconverter. It's usually mounted on my 10D, while the 70-200 is on my 20D. They're a good combination.

[PhotosGuy]

Sports Shooting Tutorials and Advice
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=135417

More from Gavin: Sports Photography... it's all about LIGHT ;)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=142078