Help PLEASE

[ItzBitzHair]

I dont know what happened but these did not turn out even as good as I use to get from the photo's

First of all I know I need better Lenses I am going to work on that monday. I will be ready for the next event.


Here is what I have.. I dont know why so much more noise this time.. I did not change that much I don't think.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2050/2286955371_732d2b292e.jpg?v=0



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/2287753788_4d87b13ac2.jpg?v=0


the average distance seemed to be about 55m and 80m for my closer photos.

I plan to get a 50mm 1.8II or 50mm 1.4 and the 65mm I am working on this list and will update a little later.

[Gatorboy]

Make sure you get your exposure correct.

[Bruce_B]

They just look underexposed. What settings were you using?

[ItzBitzHair]

well as i need a better lense for one.. but also i used 80m dist. f5.0 1600 iso 1/125 ss

I have decided on the following lenses
50mm f1.8
85mm f1.8 (both for cost)
60mm f2.8

Then
24-70 f2.8L
70-200 f2.8L

those will take a while to get

I have a 2x extender for distances that take be me beyond what i will have but i think that should cover about everything. the only thing about the converter is that you lose one f-stop by using it.

do you guys think that will take all the issues i have

[Bruce_B]

A lot of people love the 85 1.8 for indoor basketball.

[Big K]

well as i need a better lense for one.. but also i used 80m dist. f5.0 1600 iso 1/125 ss

I have decided on the following lenses
50mm f1.8
85mm f1.8 (both for cost)
60mm f2.8

Then
24-70 f2.8L
70-200 f2.8L

those will take a while to get

I have a 2x extender for distances that take be me beyond what i will have but i think that should cover about everything. the only thing about the converter is that you lose one f-stop by using it.

do you guys think that will take all the issues i have

I would suggest the 50 f/1.4 instead of the f/1.8 and would drop the 60 f/2.8 from your list. Three lenses from 50 - 85 range is unnecessary.

The 24-70 f/2.8L is an awesome lens but not really that useful for sports. The 70-200 is very worthwhile.

The 2x extender will only work with certain lenses and has a big impact on your aperture as well as a negative impact on image quality. Probably not going to be very helpful for you either. The 1.4x is a much better extender but will still cost you aperture and while not as significant at the 2x, image quality.

Your shots attached are very underexposed which is the driver of the significant noise. You have further limited yourself with aperture at f/5 and only 1/125 ss. Aperture needs to be considerably more open (Lower number) and the shutter speed needs to be considerably faster (1/400 or better is really needed).

Before dumping money on lenses, first work on getting the exposure right with your current gear to be sure it is not going to meet your needs. Once you better understand what you need vs what you have, you can better expand your gear.

[ItzBitzHair]

what about the 100 or 135mm what do you think of these (please keep in mind that i video also so my photos are taken from a dis you guys dont have to worry about. as of now my photos are from the kids enjoyment.. later i will use them for local newpapers ect since they do not get out to see our games as often as they should.. thnx this will get our girls more exp.)

thnx so much for your help.. you guys are really helping so much with the learning curve

[dmwierz]

From the stands, the 85 f/1.8 is still gonna be pretty short. Why are you shying away from the 70-200 f/2.8, because of price?

what about the 100 or 135mm what do you think of these (please keep in mind that i video also so my photos are taken from a dis you guys dont have to worry about.

The 100 is a good lens and the 135 f/2.0 is a great lens, but still pretty short. Why are you shying away from a 70-200 f/2.8? Price? Why not consider a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8? It's less $$$ than even the 135 f/2.0...

If it were me, I'd forget about still photo's entirely unless I could get out of the stands. You're gonna struggle to get anything worthwhile from up there. Shooting video is pretty simple (just point and shoot, for the most part) so why not enlist somebody else to shoot video and get down to court level. Then, an 85 f/1.8 or 135 f/2.0L might do the trick.

I'd also not even bother with either 50mm lens if you're shooting from the stands.

In any event, a 70-200 f2.8 is an essential tool in almost any sports photographer's bag of tricks, and you'll always be able to use it.

[ItzBitzHair]

I am not shying away just having to order it through a source that will not allow me to have it in time for the event I need. I und i have a unique situation but its necessary for the fund raising projects we have planned. these photos will be used for these purposes and that is why I am using the games I am attending now to prepare for that for the summer.

thnx so much for your advise

[ItzBitzHair]

btw i have been unable to dl your podcast. can you please advise on that... thnx so much...


thnx

[Big K]

If you are always going to be shooting from a similar location as these samples and you are looking for lenses that best address this situation I would suggest this.

I would not buy any of the three lenses you identified and would buy the 135 f/2.0L. It is a great lens and is "cheap" at least by normal L standards. From this location you really have very little need for the smaller lenses. If you have a broader planned use for your proposed next lens purchase, I might suggest something different. However, for the application you presented the 135 would be my choice.

If you happen to have $5500+ to burn, you could get the soon to be released 200 f/2.0. However a new 40D, 70-200 2.8L, 5 Pocket Wizards, 4 White Lightning 800's and all the bags, batteries, clamps and goodies would be cheaper and make you the God of girls sports photos from the stands in your area.

The only 100 I have is the f/2.8 macro and have never used it for basketball other than to once take a close up of the grain of the ball.

[ItzBitzHair]

Well I have ordered the 24-70 and 70-200 I have about 30 games to do from the summer so I will need them anyways.


I will be trying shooting again on wed for sports so I want to make sure i got what i need by then.

[ItzBitzHair]

here is my latest photo

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2178/2304222591_6f4fd8d656.jpg?v=0

[Elaine M]

Hey IBH... I'm pretty new here... read for a long time but only recently registered. I wish I had noticed before what school you covered, I'd have made arrangements to introduce myself yesterday. I'm sure we've been in several gyms together over the last few weeks. I shoot for Washington Co. We had the game before yours yesterday.

That gym was a bear to shoot in! The skylights on the second level and the lighted ad panels on the scorers/press tables gave me fits... not to mention how much room they took up! There was very little room left on the floor and my 85 was almost too long for just about everywhere there was left open to shoot from.

I'm still learning too and in no position to offer advice, but I've got to second what so many others have already said. No matter how much equipment you buy (and you have an impressive list already!) you're not going get better until you put yourself in a position to get good shots.

The last shot you posted is better than the other two... I'm guessing it was taken much closer to the floor since it was not the game you were there to cover. You can't tell me there is not SOMEBODY in that community who could man the video camera for you - once it was set up a student could do it. Face it... it's time to hand over the reins. I promise once you do you'll be amazed with what you can do. You still may not impress the pros.... but your kids will think you're a hero!

Shame neither of us advanced, we could have compared notes from the Centreplex next week!! I know you started covering your daughters games but don't limit yourself to just hers... the school is a limitless supply of stuff to shoot so get out there and practice. And in communities the size of ours they don't get much other coverage so they are grateful for whatever you provide. Careful though they'll suck you in! I've got baseball, boys/girls soccer, and weightlifting area meet next week - don't know how I'd have managed to cover basketball if they'd advanced. :)

[ItzBitzHair]

Hello and thnx.

I know everyone here is right. The reason I have to tape is I do it for the school. That is what I do. I am using all the ops i can to get better and I would love to chat. The school I cover is Heph. I did see waco they played GH.

I shoot some tonight at the UGA UT Game. I was in the stands again though. I may go up to Macon anyway just for the practice. I would love to trade stores if nothing else. I have so much to cover. The main thing I am working on now is learning my eq. and lighting. That the hurdle to work on as of now. Summer is coming up and I plan to go just what you said. That a whole diff arena. I will start attempting to shoot other sports to learn lighting there as well as just learning to use my eq. Thnx for offering your support.

I need it.


Thnx so much.. I play to post a few from tonight here. They will not be as close but hopefully still better. I ended up being some over exposed and some under. I still dont have it right down the middle.

A work in progress I am.

Thnx to all...




Hey IBH... I'm pretty new here... read for a long time but only recently registered. I wish I had noticed before what school you covered, I'd have made arrangements to introduce myself yesterday. I'm sure we've been in several gyms together over the last few weeks. I shoot for Washington Co. We had the game before yours yesterday.

That gym was a bear to shoot in! The skylights on the second level and the lighted ad panels on the scorers/press tables gave me fits... not to mention how much room they took up! There was very little room left on the floor and my 85 was almost too long for just about everywhere there was left open to shoot from.

I'm still learning too and in no position to offer advice, but I've got to second what so many others have already said. No matter how much equipment you buy (and you have an impressive list already!) you're not going get better until you put yourself in a position to get good shots.

The last shot you posted is better than the other two... I'm guessing it was taken much closer to the floor since it was not the game you were there to cover. You can't tell me there is not SOMEBODY in that community who could man the video camera for you - once it was set up a student could do it. Face it... it's time to hand over the reins. I promise once you do you'll be amazed with what you can do. You still may not impress the pros.... but your kids will think you're a hero!

Shame neither of us advanced, we could have compared notes from the Centreplex next week!! I know you started covering your daughters games but don't limit yourself to just hers... the school is a limitless supply of stuff to shoot so get out there and practice. And in communities the size of ours they don't get much other coverage so they are grateful for whatever you provide. Careful though they'll suck you in! I've got baseball, boys/girls soccer, and weightlifting area meet next week - don't know how I'd have managed to cover basketball if they'd advanced. :)