Advice on Lens

[wally0206]

Earlier this year I had my first change to shoot a night time sporting event(WM24) It am still learning,but I struggle a little with what lens to use for differant distance. here are some pic's I used a 200mm 2.8 sitting 11 rows from the ring.



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2399/2506292632_a27e90db80.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2121/2506295734_7608486323.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2631971407_d07f805d24.jpg

these one's above were not too bad,but these below were harder to get all of the scene in the photo.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/2628172761_b766a34ef7.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/2505462725_b4366d9b19.jpg


I have ticket's for two more events next month. I the tickets for one of them already and I am 4 rows from ring. My question is what lens would you recommend for this stlye of shoot 4 rows back.


Thanks for any advice.

[rovers_Andy]

a lot of this depends on your budget. will you be hiring the lens or do you want to buy the lens? The body you use will make some difference as well because some of the canon bodys use a 1.6 cropped sensor, some use a 1.3 cropped. and the 1ds pro bodies are full frame.

[wally0206]

I have a xti, and unless I found a great deal, more than likely i will rent a lens.

[rovers_Andy]

ok well i would say something like the canon 135mm f2 would be ideal, or the 200mm f2.8 mkII. All of these are relatively light compared to the 300 prime. out of those i would probably choose the 135mm as it will be quicker. For zoom lenses the 70-200f2.8 is very good and it looks from your posted pictures that you have good lighting. Im not sure what these lenses are like for rental availability though.

Hope this helps

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Lens-Reviews.aspx

has reviews of all the current range of canon lenses aswell as some Sigma and Tamron.

[wally0206]

Thanks for the advice

I used the 200mm f2.8 mkII when I was 11 rows back, I one that lens.
so considering I will only be 4 rows this time, I have been looking at the

135mm f2
100mm f2
85mm f1.2 and f1.8

But I have trouble understanding distance. If i was able to use 70-200mm 2.8 I would be fine.But the lens is too long for the event,so they won't let me in.

[rovers_Andy]

ok well id look at the 100mm i think, i had trouble understanding what the focals lengths equated to in terms of filling the frame until i started using prime lenses. Im looking at getting either the 135 or the 100 to use with a two body setup for football (soccer). Maybe you should hire the 100 for one event then hire the 135 for the second, its probably the best way for you to know in the future which focal length will be best. Then try and remember the distances (roughly) for the shots that really filled the frame. I would try the 100 first as if it is a little to short you will be able to crop into the images with out loosing much of the Image quality.

Also i like the firework photos on your flikr site and really like the photo of the Lone tree with the storm clouds in the background

[rovers_Andy]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=579032

have a look on this thread. explains the differences in the focal lengths

[cstewart]

No offense but I view this as entertainment, not sport. Photos look good though!

[Aleem]

i attended this

[Big K]

How much are the images you posted already cropped? 11 rows is not a good descriptor of distance because its hard telling how much space is between the ring and row 1.

Can you post an uncropped example from your 200? It would make it easier to give input on a lens suggestion.

[wally0206]

These were not cropped, I PS the border and some color,sharpen,and contrast. not sure how far the ring is from row one. I have it saved somewere I'll look for it when I get home from work, and post it here.

[Roy Webber]

[quote=cstewart;6425777]No offense but I view this as entertainment, not sport. Photos look good though![/quote
:D yes, and the photos do look good

[wally0206]

this photo from the 11th row on the closest side of the ring is estimated at 45 feet

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3255/2631970557_1f4a0b3c97.jpg

this photo from the 11th row on the farest side of the ring is estimated at 65 feet

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2631971407_d07f805d24.jpg


The ring is 20x20 and the is an estimated 10 feet to the first row depending on the arena.

[Big K]

My vote is the 135 f/2.0 and would also suggest shooting vertical more often.

[wally0206]

Sorry if everyones thinks this should not be in the Sports thread,I did start the post in the other Sports thread under Talk About Photography,but I think a mod moved it here.
maybe we can get a mod to move it to entertainment.


I appreciate all the feedback, these shots I took as a real newbie only had my camrea for about a month,and the lens for 2 days.never shot an event like this needless to say.
I due understand alot more now and I only shoot in manual. I understand almost every aspect of shooting, but I struggle on learning distance and lens. This would all be easy if I could take a 70-200mm f2.8, but I am not able too. I am not ashamed to admit I have to sneak my 200mm f2.8 in my pocket,to get in the event.but once in no one has asked me to leave,atleast not at the 2 events I have already attended.

So I have gotten in with my 50mm on the camera and my 200mm f2.8 in my pocket.

But I think sitting only 4 rows away this time and not 11 that the 200mm will be too close.So I am still stuck on either 135mm f2 100mm f2 or 85mm f1.8

[eddarr]

Take a look at this site. http://www.tawbaware.com/maxlyons/calc.htm. It includes a field of view calculator. Enter your camera type, focal length and distance and it will tell you field of view. When in doubt go a little wider than you think you can always crop latter.

[wally0206]

Thanks eddarr.

Looks like I have a lot to read up on!!

[Big K]

To add to my earlier post, if you are looking to buy something, I would suggest not worrying about gaining a PhD level understanding of field of view or memorizing a bunch of numbers. No prime is going to meet every need. You could sit ringside and still have shots that would be best captured with a 200 (not many) and some that would be best with a fisheye and some everywhere in between.

Try to look at it from which lens would be the most use to you overall, not just at this specific event.

I have both the 85 f/1.8 and 135 f/2, love them both but use the 135 much more often because I like to shoot as tight as possible. I also have a 100 but it is the 2.8 macro version which is one of my favorite play lenses. I never use it for sports but have taken more shots of flowers and bugs than I ever would have guessed just because the lens works so well and the shots end up so cool.

I would personally not get the 100 2.0 and get either the 85 or 135. Whichever one you get now, get the other next. This would give you good prime coverage from 85 to 200. When you get both, get the 100 macro. You will have a ball with it.

Hope that helps.

[wally0206]

I think I am going to end up with taking the 135mm f2 and the 85mm f1.8, but I am looking to see if any one has a review of the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM ? and how the image quality is.