Dog Agility lenses

[silverhalide]

I may be shooting a dog agility competition next weekend, and I've been warned that the location isn't all that well lit. (It's either at the Show Barn or Agriplex at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in BC.) I've got a 40D, 17-55, 50 f/1.8, and 70-200 f/4 IS.

I can probably rent the 85 f/1.8 or 135 f/2, but I'm wondering if it's worth it. One to two stops of additional light is the difference between 1/500 and 1/125, or between ISO 800 and 3200, which would be good. On the other hand, how many shots am I going to miss because of the narrow depth of field? I've never really shot (for an extended period) with a prime before so I'm not sure how that's going to affect my positioning and composition.

As I'm writing this, I'm thinking that $20 (85mm) plus $30 (135mm) is not all that costly, and if it means an extra few image sales, it pays for itself. (Still an amateur, trying to make a few $$ on the side.)

Any comments on my thought process? Am I missing something like "the 85 is too slow to focus for action use"? Anyone ever shot at this location?

Thanks.

[tracknut]

If you can get it, rent a 70-200/f2.8. The typical indoor arena (I haven't been to either of those) will easily push you to ISO3200, f2.8, 1/500th. The 85mm will be too short, I'd suspect. The 135 would work well, but not be as flexible as having the zoom.

Dave

[silverhalide]

If you can get it, rent a 70-200/f2.8. The typical indoor arena (I haven't been to either of those) will easily push you to ISO3200, f2.8, 1/500th. The 85mm will be too short, I'd suspect. The 135 would work well, but not be as flexible as having the zoom.

Dave

I agree about the 85 mm -- I just ran exif analyzer on the stuff I took at the last match I was at, and I didn't get much at that length. Most was 135 or 200.

I do like the flexability of the zoom -- I guess getting the 2.8 would split the difference between my f/4 and the 135.

Thanks.

[ceegee]

You'll need at least f/2.8. I shot some dog agility at Montreal's Olympic Stadium last year, using a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, and got some useable (if noisy) shots at ISO 1600, and some unusable ones. The Olympic Stadium is fairly well-lit, comparatively speaking. However, you have a 40D, which allows you to up the ISO.

In my own case, I'm thinking the faster primes might be better. I'm going to try out a 85 f/1.8 next month. The advantage of dog agility is that you can get very close to the action, so 85 mm is probably long enough, although you certainly couldn't shoot obstacles at the other side of the ring. If you end up renting either of the primes, I'd be interested to hear your experience with them.

[cpagility]

I shoot agility and have the 70-200 2.8 IS and the 135L 2.0 plus some other lenses. I really like both but the 135L beats the 70-200 indoors.

Karen
www.dogsportphotos.com

[silverhalide]

I shoot agility and have the 70-200 2.8 IS and the 135L 2.0 plus some other lenses. I really like both but the 135L beats the 70-200 indoors.

Karen
www.dogsportphotos.com

So, having just returned from my weekend of shooting, I must say the 70-200 f/2.8 proved, ah, marginal at best. I was shooting at ISO 1600 wide open, and shutter speeds ranged from 1/125 - 1/400 (mostly 1/200). I tried shooting at ISO 3200, but there was so much noise on the 40D that it becomes tough to tell if the unsharpness is due to focus, motion blur or noise.

I was really hoping that the 70-200 f/2.8 would be sufficient, as the versatility is great. I think that if I shoot there again, I'll have to try the 135, but using a prime will be tough with only a single body. Alternatively, I'll stick to outdoor trials.

Give me a few days and I'll post some shots.

[tracknut]

I guess I was off by 1/3rd of a stop with my guess of ISO3200, f2.8, 1/500th. I don't know the noise characteristics of the 40D, but if you can't get to 3200, this is going to be a tough job. At least where I shoot indoors, the 135/2 is going to be marginally useful, but I prefer the 200mm length if I have to use a prime, and the 70-200/2.8 when light allows.

Dave

[RPCrowe]

Unfortunately you can't use flash in agility competition because of the distraction to the canine athletes. I am going to shoot an agility Maltese soon not in competition but going through the various events. The owner wants portraits of her dog.

This will allow me to use fill flash and to get closer to the event. I found that shooting from the sidelines, a 200mm lens was marginal for Maltese as indicated by these images but sufficient for larger dogs.

[superdiver]

does the shutter advertantly effect the dogs too?

[tracknut]

does the shutter advertantly effect the dogs too?

Yep, it sure can. I've had folks come ask me if my camera makes noise, and if so to please not shoot their dog. IMO the "best" dogs aren't affected by anything - they're watching the owner the whole time. But plenty of dogs can be distracted by all sorts of things, and a photographer is an easy target to blame. So you need to make sure everyone knows to just ask you to get out of the ring, or just stop shooting, if they prefer.

Dave