Sports Photography Flash

[Jam71868]

I just read a great thread about the Sunpak 383 and some other inexpensive lighting accessories.

My question is this.... I need a flash for my XTi that will help me with indoor sports photography. The gymnasium I will normally be shooting in has terrible lighting.

I do have a pass and have full access to the gym. Will the Sunpak 383 give me what I need? I was told the 580EX would give me about 100 ft. Will the Sunpak 383 give me anything near that? Are there other things about the Sunpak that will make it not work for what I need it for? Are there other cheaper options that the 580EX?

Thank you for your help.

[liza]

I don't use flash. In my area, it is prohibited by IHSA, and the coaches don't allow it either. Instead, I use fast primes and high ISO.

[blam]

I once read that if you're worried about saving money, sports photography isn't for you.

but of course, everyone has to start somewhere.

one thing to think about whe nit comes to flash is of course, the players. find out if a flash is allowed first

and I might be wrong, but isnt the 580EX rated for much further than 100ft?

[Jam71868]

The sports photography is more of a hobby right now than anything. Although, I am able to "market" photos to parents by having a website link on the school's sports website. Minimal money, thats for sure.

I bought the 70-200 2.8 thinking that would give me enough, but the light isn't good enough for that lens. I also have the 50mm 1.8 and was having a tough time with that.

[Borderfox]

A 50mm f1.8 and an 85mm f1.8 are good enough for me. I have a 70-200 f2.8 and a 18-50 f2.8 and they dont even get a look in when I'm indoors. I would be wary of using flash indoors at events, it only takes one parent to complain and no more flash. I can unerstand their point of view. If I was competing and somebody has a big flash going off I wouldn't be happy. Just something to take into consideration :)

[blam]

as for the 50mm 1.8, it has a horrible AF in low light situations...well...a horrible AF in general.

the 1.4 is much improved but not perfect either.

the 85mm might be what you want for range?

the problem with school gymnasiums is always lighting. pro courts/arenas are much better lit and the 70-200 would be great.

as for flash, again, if you were far up int eh stands I don't think the flash would bother the players much at all. maybe have a friend fire the pilot from where you're shooting while you stare at the camera to see what kind of light you are throwing at the players so you can get their point of view?

[Jam71868]

Thanks guys for the info.

Honestly, I don't know if they are allowing flash or not. I would understand if they do not. Nothing like trying to shoot a baskeball with a flash going off in your face.

Again, thanks. Your time and help is appreciated.

Maybe the 85mm would be the way to go.

[Curtis N]

While the Sunpak 383 is great for many purposes, it's not exactly a sport shooters dream flash.

It recycles quite slowly compared to the 580EX, so you'll miss shots waiting for the flash. And while the Sunpak has plenty of power, the zooming flash head on the 580EX gives it more "reach" with telephoto lenses.

While the Sunpak 383 packs a lot of punch for the money and is a whole lot better than nothing, its limitations will leave you wanting if you're trying to shoot sports with flash.

[René Damkot]

Guidnumber of the 580 is 190(feet) when zoomed to 105mm. That means you get almost 100' range at f/2; ISO 100. About 50' at f/2.8. But around 400' at f/2.0 and ISO 1600. (If my math is correctly, not used to feet and inches :p )
Use a high ISO, and a fast lens.

IMHO flash as main light source will certainly do nothing to improve your pictures, apart from freezing motion. Enough quantity light is something different from good quality of light...

[blam]

IMHO flash as main light source will certainly do nothing to improve your pictures, apart from freezing motion. Enough quantity light is something different from good quality of light...

totally agree with you there....

[Jam71868]

Yes, I am concerned about the quality of the shots using a flash. I think I might pursue the 85mm as a better option than flash.

With the XTi and using maybe 1600 ISO, I will definitely have to clean up the images. Do you suggest Noise Ninja or something else?

[Jam71868]

Another question please. Would the Sunpack 383 be good for event photography such as candid wedding and/or fill lighting?

[René Damkot]

Not too much experience with NR software. I'm looking into Noiseware professional from Imagenomic (http://www.imagenomic.com/). Looks a bit better then NN or NeatImage. Not done too much testing though, since I'm not that bothered by noise.

On the event photography bit: Depends on how you shoot. In low light I tend to open up the aperture and use high ISO, to allow in as much ambient as possible. Don't know the sunpak, but I do know I found a Metz 45CT1 I used to use, to be fairly limiting in working apertures at higher ISO (basically nothing below f/5.6 or f/8 or so). So the flash wasn't able to put out the little amount of light I wanted. The 45CT4 or 5 was better in this regard, as are the newer Metz units IIRC.

[Curtis N]

With the XTi and using maybe 1600 ISO, I will definitely have to clean up the images. Do you suggest Noise Ninja or something else?Depends on the output. If you're downsizing for website use or even printing 4x6 you won't see much noise.

Downsizing is the best noise killer out there.

[blam]

Noise on the XTi at 1600 isn't a big deal unless you're way underexposing...that is what I have found....