I need tips for shooting basketball with a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8

[butcha27]

Hi all, I'm just after some advice. I'll be shooting basketball this coming weekend with my 400D and a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8in a very well lit stadium. I just wanted to know what settings you guys would use as I am only getting the lens today and won't get a lot of practise in. My thoughts would be ISO1600 f/2.8 with a shutter around 1/500. Would this be close to the mark or would you guys go different. I just don't want to get it horribly wrong! Any help greatly appreaciated. Thanks. :lol:

[MJPhotos24]

I've used the same lens, though I'm sure you'll hear a few people say to get the 85 1.8. Definately open it up to 2.8, ISO 1600 if you can and at least 1/400 or 1/500 depending on the action. Go manual of course and just keep your eye on the results, levels, etc. Since it's well lit you may be able to up the shutter, use warmups to test it out maybe?

[butcha27]

Yeah i'll get plenty of practise during the warm up so shopefully all goes ok, thanks

[superdiver]

if its REALLY well lit you MIGHT get 1/500 at 1600 ISO...in our gyms I rarely get over 1/300 with my 70-200 2.8

Like was said earlier, I use my 85 99% of the time...still at ISO 1600, but speeds between 1/500 and 1/1000 depending on the area of the gym I am shooting...if I manage to consistantly get close to 1/1000 I will increase my f-stop to 2.0 or 2.2

[butcha27]

Well I'd say it's as good light as you'd get. Its the Sydney Entertainment Centre, It's the national competition and the court has hosted many Internationals. I'll aim for 1/500 to start and just see what transpires. Thanks heaps for the tips

[superdiver]

LOL...my first idea for a tip for you was to tell you to

go get an 85 1.8....


LOL...but that just seemed mean spirited, but funny....LOL

[bcap]

I use a Canon 350D and a Sigma 70-200 2.8 in the gyms here in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I use my flash set to -3 witha diffuser and find that the highest I can go is 1/250 otherwise I get underexposure.

Am considering the 85mm 1.8, you guys think it's that big of a difference?

Just out of curiousity, where do you guys take the majority of your photos from?

Thanks,

Bryan

[liza]

The 85mm lens makes a huge difference. It's both fast focusing and sharp. I don't typically use f/2.8 zooms in high school gyms, as they're too slow for our lighting conditions.

[bcap]

See Liza, I am finding the same thing.

I typically shoot in 4 - 5 gyms, and most of them are O.K. By O.K., I mean that I can shoot at 1/200th and get half decent shots, but they aren't consistent and a lot of them come out soft. I always thought this was my lens, as I have heard of a certain softness with the Sigma 70-200, but it must not be because of that.

There is one gym where I can push it up to 1/250th but I can't go much higher than that without underexposing.

I do use a flash as well for fill light, which helps greatly. I always talk to the coaches before the game to make sure they are O.K. with it.

Question for you Liza (and any others with experience with the 85 1.8 ) - do you find you miss the zoom? For example, when I use my sigma 70-200, I find that as the basketball players are coming down the court, I am constantly zooming in, out, moving around, following the ball, zooming in, zooming out, but obviously with a prime lens you lose this.

Do you miss it at all?

Thanks for any comments and advice in advance.

Bryan

[superdiver]

In all the gyms in my area, heck in S.E. Alaska, if I use my 70-200 I cant get over 1/200 and that just isnt fast enough for stopping the action.

The 85 1.8 makes a TON of difference. I set my ISO to 1600 (when I had my XT and am waiting for my 30D so I can use ISO 3200) and try to get my speed to at least 1/500 and move my EC just a hair to the right a bit.

I shoot under the basket and a lttle to one side, which ever side the ball is coming down on, unless a parent wants a poster of their kid in a defensive stance in which case I will shoot from mid court.

[bcap]

Sounds good. I think it will be worth it for me to try out this lens.

I am shooting this weekend and may stop by Henrys to pick up a copy of it. If I like it, I will keep it.

Superdriver, do you feel that you miss the ability to reach and then pull back with the zoom or no?

Also, do you think ISO 3200 is a good idea? I have seem images of ISO 3200 and they are VERY grainy. The largest I print is 8x10, what are your thoughts on this? As I am also considering the 30D very soon.

Thanks again,

Bryan

[gsgary]

I use a Canon 350D and a Sigma 70-200 2.8 in the gyms here in Niagara Falls, Ontario. I use my flash set to -3 witha diffuser and find that the highest I can go is 1/250 otherwise I get underexposure.

Am considering the 85mm 1.8, you guys think it's that big of a difference?

Just out of curiousity, where do you guys take the majority of your photos from?

Thanks,

Bryan


If you go above 1/250 you are going above your flash sync speed so it will underexpose

[bcap]

High speed sync ...

[butcha27]

Thanks guys. I tried it yesterday in our dimest of gyms and found exactly that, horribly under-exposed at 1/250 and still average at 1/200th. I have nodount it will be fine in the big arena but I will only aim for 1/400 maximum to start with and go from there. As ususal the help on here has been tremendous. It's obvious if I keep shooting basketball I'll need an 85 1.8. Thanks again everyone.

[AB8ND]

It was only the raw gym that in the years I shoot basketball that I could shoot anything over 1/250 at iso 1600

Jack

[gsgary]

High speed sync ...


Your flash won't get the distance unless your real close

[liza]

See Liza, I am finding the same thing.

I typically shoot in 4 - 5 gyms, and most of them are O.K. By O.K., I mean that I can shoot at 1/200th and get half decent shots, but they aren't consistent and a lot of them come out soft. I always thought this was my lens, as I have heard of a certain softness with the Sigma 70-200, but it must not be because of that.

There is one gym where I can push it up to 1/250th but I can't go much higher than that without underexposing.

I do use a flash as well for fill light, which helps greatly. I always talk to the coaches before the game to make sure they are O.K. with it.

Question for you Liza (and any others with experience with the 85 1.8 ) - do you find you miss the zoom? For example, when I use my sigma 70-200, I find that as the basketball players are coming down the court, I am constantly zooming in, out, moving around, following the ball, zooming in, zooming out, but obviously with a prime lens you lose this.

Do you miss it at all?

Thanks for any comments and advice in advance.

Bryan

No, I don't miss it at all. Primes force me to move around, but that's a good thing. You become accustomed to it and adjust. On the few occasions that I used a zoom this season, I found it to be a distraction, and my images suffered. And I never use flash. High ISO and attaining proper exposure with ambient light works better for me.

[Croasdail]

Unlike field sports where the action can happen just about anywhere on the field, the action in basketball is pretty much confined to a small area where if you position yourself well, you don't need the zoom. Don't get me wrong, I will use a zoom if the light permits it, but it is by far not required. It's kind of like going to a french resturant... when your there do you miss not being able to order italien.... nope, you just find the best of what they offer. Each is different, some have their preferences, but you can get good food from either. Primes and zooms are the same, you just approach the subject a little differently. Neither better nor worse.

[superdiver]

Like Liza I dont miss the zoom at all in basketball, now in outdoor sports, thats a different story.

I find that the 85 is sharp enough, fast enough, and when I get the exposure right I just crop the picture to what I want and it works great!

[bcap]

Out of curiousity, who uses flash?

I only use it because without it, I am stuck around 1/125 and that is not fast enough with my 70-200.

Is it bad to use it as a filler?

[HutchPhoto]

I have the 30D and the Sigma 70-200 2.8 and have found the shooting in gym's around here in Cen-Tex area allot of them are dark and I have rarely get up too 1/300 but would have to say that most are around 1/200 - 1/250 @ ISO 1600.

FYI for those that don't know. ;)
The 30D does not go too 3200 ISO unless you change C.Fn-08 to on FIRST = Then select H on the DRIVE-ISO button

I have not tried ISO 3200 in the gym or anytime because of what was stated above. Now I think I will give it a go... ;)

I have never used flash in the gym.

I have had photos printed by the local paper for a year now and in the last few weeks in the sports section but basketball is over here as the playoffs are finished and we did not make state.. :(


I will be getting the 85mm 1.8 for next season! :D

*****

[superdiver]

Superdriver, do you feel that you miss the ability to reach and then pull back with the zoom or no?

Also, do you think ISO 3200 is a good idea? I have seem images of ISO 3200 and they are VERY grainy. The largest I print is 8x10, what are your thoughts on this? As I am also considering the 30D very soon.

Thanks again,

Bryan


I am waiting to get my 30D so I can try out the ISO 3200. I print off MANy poster size shots for parents using my 85 1.8 and ISO 1600. they cant believe how nice they come out and niether did I at first, now I just expect it. Witht he right PPing and noise reduction if needed they turn out great!

[liza]

I did a poster at ISO 3200 with the 20D. It turned out really well mostly because the shot was well exposed out of camera. That makes all the difference in the world.

[grego]

Question for you Liza (and any others with experience with the 85 1.8 ) - do you find you miss the zoom? For example, when I use my sigma 70-200, I find that as the basketball players are coming down the court, I am constantly zooming in, out, moving around, following the ball, zooming in, zooming out, but obviously with a prime lens you lose this.

Do you miss it at all?

Thanks for any comments and advice in advance.

Bryan


In a sense, you have to turn the zoom into a prime. Once they are over near you, you really can't be zooming in and out too much, or you'll miss the action, because its so quick.

I use zooms, but then i have better light. However, i use two bodies, so i just switch depending upon where I'm at.

One thing I would say, is its good to have multiple focal lengths and angles taken. Works well towards getting you the best variety.

[superdiver]

Good to hear Liza...I cant wait....LOL