85mm F1.8 VS Bodybuilding

[drisley]

Well, after the fun I had in March at a Bodybuilding/Fitness show, with my Rebel and 50mm F1.8II, I decided to buy the 85mm F1.8 a few months ago.
Ive been waiting patiently for the next BB show, and tonite it FINALLY arrived. The 85mm F1.8 was awesome! A zoom (to zoom out) would have been nice for the group shots, but the single shots were great!
I have to process them and I will post a link later tonite, but until then, does this look at all painful? :lol:

http://www.mts.net/~lftbrain/head.jpg

[roanjohn]

OUCH!!!

A great shot from a great lens.

Can't wait to see the rest.

Ro1

[drisley]

Thanks. Just waiting while C1 processes.
I find the quality of the shots much better than with my 50mm lens, probably because of the tighter crops.
So much more detail. Also, I wasnt afraid to use ISO800 and ISO1600 (the above pic was ISO1600 without any noise reduction).
I really think C1 Pro does an AMAZING job with noise reduction at higher ISO's. I actually use the setting one notch BELOW default, and there is virtually no noise at all, even at ISO1600.

Processing.... processing.... :eyes

Might have to wait until tomorrow to post the rest. Getting late, and I have to get up early. I have to run, er, take pics in a marathon tomorrow.

[Olegis]

Great shot, too bad the legs were cut from both sides ...

[drisley]

Yes, too bad. :( That's one problem with a prime lens...
Plus, they are moving so fast it can be a challenge framing them even with a zoom lens I'm sure.

[cadd2]

Drisley, That's how I started. I shoot BB & fitness shows usually once a month. The first was with my 50mm then the 85mm and now....I broke down and got the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. It is truly amazing. So be ready for the next step in the evolution process. :D

[roanjohn]

I broke down and got the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. It is truly amazing. So be ready for the next step in the evolution process. :D

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Ro1

[drisley]

The pictures are done and are at:

http://www.sharpnsmart.com/mabba062004/

Upon second look, I did get all of that girl in the picture posted above. I just cropped the image improperly.

[CyberDyneSystems]

These look really good!

You are definately getting better.. :)

Did the faster AF help too?

[drisley]

Thanks CDS! :D
Yes, experience from the last show taught me alot. Like turn up the ISO and use a faster shutter speed. However, I may have went a little too far in shooting "to the right" as there were a few blown highlights. But, since I was shooting RAW, I knew I could get some back. I would much rather have some blown highlights than an underexposed, noisy image.

The faster AF definately helped. Much nicer than the 50mm F1.8. With the tighter crop the 85mm offers, I dont think the AF on the 50mm would have been fast enough.

But man, do I wish I could get AI Servo mode in the 300D (waiting for the proper hack).
However, I still didnt have very many out of focus shots (maybe 1 out of 130).

Today I was shooting a marathon, and when I could hear/feel the AI Servo kick in, I knew I could get a good shot with my 70-200mm F4L.
In fact, knowing which shots did use AI Servo, I could see that they were tack sharp, compared to some of the others where it didnt kick in.

Thanks again :) Now I have to see if the bb director likes the pictures.

[drisley]

Just for comparison, here is the official page (http://www.bodybuilding.ca/provincials04.htm) with the official pictures.

[Andy_T]

DRisley,

Your photos are great!
Also, there are some amazing bodies, there :shock:

The official page demonstrates that the G2 is still being used by 'professionals' :twisted:

Really, you should offer them your pictures!!!

Best regards,
Andy

[drisley]

Too funny! :lol:
The official pictures are getting better every event, but still a little too orange for my taste. :wink:
I have connections to the big guy in the white who is in charge.
He really liked the last pictures I took, so he's also going to get a look at these.
8)