Post your indoor 50mm 1.8 shots

[4Bucks]

I am newer to the scene and purely a hobbyist. I plan to shoot my 10yr old's basketball season for memento purposes. I give a lot of pictures away to other kid's parents that don't take pictures. Being a hobbyist I don't have an arsenal of lenses. I have the two that came with my kit and I just ordered the "thrifty fifty" aka "plastic fantastic". I have read alot of threads on here that keep telling folks the 85mm is what they need to buy... well, I don't have, and I am sure alot of folks don't have, the $350 for the 85mm. My lens should be here in a few days. I am looking for inspiration. Include your settings and any other info that you feel might help. Thanks.

For you folks on a budget and limited to what you got... Post 'em!

[4Bucks]

Okay... maybe I should have saved up for the 85mm. Must not be able to get a good 50mm shot indoors.

????

[shayneyasinski]

maybe wait more than 2 hours to get a reply with a pic.

I have this lens and will be at the rink today shooting hockey so I will post a couple later

[4Bucks]

I am an impatient person... sorry.
Looking forward to your pictures of hockey later.

[Tony.Ibarra]

Here's the 50mm f/1.8 on a 50D.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3182932925_b4f04ff1e1.jpg

On a APS-C sensor, it behaves like 80mm anyways, so thats an advantage. also, I found that prefocusing and using Manual Focus allows you to shoot at 6.5 fps, because the lens lacks USM. Other than that, its pretty damn good for indoors. At least until I have the 24-70 f/2.8L.

[Rachel B]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=186207 check out this thread, there maybe some on there, I love the nifty fifty

[Joe300]

Hello to All,
here is one of mine.. just getting into BB and using a Canon 40d ,50mm 1.8 lens,
2 sigma flashes off to the side on monopods clamp to the rails, and remotes are the CACTUS Wireless Flash Trigger V2s.
still trying to get my shots better...

[4Bucks]

These are great. Keep 'em coming so that those trying to have fun with the hobby "on the cheap" see that it can be done. Now I am really excited to get my 50mm 1.8... c'mon UPS!

[Gatorboy]

The 50 f/1.8 focus is too slow for basketball (IMO). I've tried to use it a couple times, but can only take it for about 2 minutes before throwing my 85 f/1.8 back on. But for taking photos of 10-year olds, it's probably fine.

[Simon Turkin]

Dave im looking into buying a new lens in that region for hs bb the 50 1.8 isnt the right answer?? is the 1.4 or the 85 1.8

[4Bucks]

From what I have seen posted many times... if you have the money ($350), and you are not buying a long zoom lens, the 85mm is the ticket. More range and faster focus from what I understand. My point in starting this thread was to show what could/couldn't be done with the 50mm ($80) in the indoor environment. Myself and one or two others here don't have the $350. This thread helped me decide that, for now and for the money, I could make the 50mm work for my application (indoor youth BB).

[Gatorboy]

Dave im looking into buying a new lens in that region for hs bb the 50 1.8 isnt the right answer?? is the 1.4 or the 85 1.8

The 85 f/1.8 is sweet.

[Joe300]

4Bucks,
I also have the 85 1.8 but at times feel it tight when I am under the basket and have to move out near the base line and bleachers. but the 85mm gives me some nice shoot up at the key and near half count.
I am going to use the sigma 70-200 2.8 for the next game and try that lens out too!
now i need a second body..ha ha lol

Joe

[4Bucks]

Joe,
While I am only 6 months into this hobby (upgrading for the first time from a point and shoot) I can see how one can dump a bunch of money in it to get all the shots we want. I guess once it's bought you got it.
Thanks for your post.
Rob

[ChunkyDA]

My limited experience tells me that from the floor anywhere near the baseline, the 85 is a bit too long on a crop body. My 70-200 rarely goes above 85 and I find 70 can be too tight for the close action.
Also, the nifty focus sucks for action. I had about 20% keepers, most focus was behind the action. I'll post an example in a few minutes. BL, if I shot more BBall I'd get the 50 1.4 for my 40D.

[ChunkyDA]

Here's a typical outtake. #1 is cropped, resized for web, sharpened. #2 is the entire frame so you can see perspective. The focus can't keep up with forward movement. Focus point is #40's right (viewers left) bicep.
1/250, f4.5 (even more DOF), ISO 400, external strobes.
You get what you pay for...

[Joe300]

What I found out was if you shoot sports you are going to need a good line up of lenes.
indoor if hard to shoot....make a few $$$ if you can then buy the 85 1.8...make a few more $$$ then buy a flash or two.... I have the sigma 70-200 2.8 but havnt used it for indoor BB at all...
I need more camera gear... I need more $$$....lol
enjoy
Joe

[Simon Turkin]

Here's a typical outtake. #1 is cropped, resized for web, sharpened. #2 is the entire frame so you can see perspective. The focus can't keep up with forward movement. Focus point is #40's right (viewers left) bicep.
1/250, f4.5 (even more DOF), ISO 400, external strobes.
You get what you pay for...

does 35 not have arms?? its a weird angle

[alisaeo]

I shoot with the Nifty Fifty on a Canon Rebel XT for no other reason than I don't have the cash to invest in anything else at this time. Here is a recent shot taken at the baseline w/no flash. The photo is soft but the kids are happy. For now I love it!

[/337571

337572

[Simon Turkin]

I shoot with the Nifty Fifty on a Canon Rebel XT for no other reason than I don't have the cash to invest in anything else at this time. Here is a recent shot taken at the baseline w/no flash. The photo is soft but the kids are happy. For now I love it!

[/337571

337572


What are your settings im guessing very high iso what mode are you shooting the shutter was fast because its in focus which is hard with sports indoors but what are your settings??

[4Bucks]

Aliseao...
Now we're talking. Your post is exactly why I started this thread. Thank for posting.

[alisaeo]

I shoot mostly at 1600 1.8 in AV mode. I have not been able to master Manual and have no idea how to set custom white balance or use a white/grey card. I need a class but do not have the time or the money at this point in my very hectic life. I shoot a lot of high school sports becasue my kids are that age. He is another recent shot, I was hoping to shoot tonight but schools are closed due to snow and ice. I must admit I do some post processing.

337752

[alisaeo]

Take a look at post: 2nd attempt at Youth b-ball C&C
Looks like he is trying to shoot with the Nifty Fifty as well.

[Chicle]

This is a shot I got yesterday. I'm struggling with having such a high ISO and so much noise but I feel the 50mm is giving me the right distance.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm160/ddepies/IMG_7544_2.jpg

[Simon Turkin]

it is a tad noisey but the length feels right nice in focus shot

[AzzKicker]

I wouldnt use a Nifty Fifty for BBall . The focus blows and it reduced your FPS to like 1 Frame Per HOUR :)

Get the 85

[alisaeo]

The problem AzzKicker is money, some of us don't have the extra cash to invest in anything other than what we already have. We are trying to learn how to produce the best possible photo with what we currently have to work with. Here is my post process version of Chicle's photo

[ChunkyDA]

The problem AzzKicker is money, some of us don't have the extra cash to invest in anything other than what we already have. We are trying to learn how to produce the best possible photo with what we currently have to work with. Here is my post process version of Chicle's photo

The good thing about the 50 1.8 is that it is the bait that hooks you in to wanting to spend more get better shots.:rolleyes:
It's the 70% solution at 70% off. Mine will be for sale as soon as I find a 50 1.4 for the right price.

[4Bucks]

I am just glad to see that a decent, even really good, picture can be taken ON A BUDGET.
Thanks for posting... keep 'em coming. I know there are other poor folks trying to enjoy the hobby that will appreciate seeing that, while you may get better pictures by spending alot more, you can get a decent shot with this lo' budget lens.

Viva la poor photographers!!!

[badmash12]

The 85 f/1.8 is sweet.

+1 .. 85 1.8 is really good. It really doesn't cost much relatively to the other big sports lenses..

[AzzKicker]

+1 .. 85 1.8 is really good. It really doesn't cost much relatively to the other big sports lenses..


EXACTLY. Why spend $$ on something that you will only end up needing to replace later. Just save a little more and do it right the first time.

[ChunkyDA]

If you want to get on with the season still running, go ahead and try the nifty fifty. Just pick one up used here and sell it for the same money when you have saved up enough for something better.

[Simon Turkin]

Two from tonights bball game

[snyderman]

Both of these were shot with the 85 f/1.8. Not the best lighting in a HS gym, so the lens was open to 1.8. Probably 1/500 on the SS.

1. The 'almost blocked it' shot
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a310/dsnyder160/IMG_2900.jpg

2. The 'no-look' pass
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a310/dsnyder160/IMG_2655.jpg

dave

[SpeedRacerSlots]

For B-Ball, I shoot a Canon 50 1.8 II, Tamron 28-75 2.8 or my Canon 70-200 2.8L.
Shots below are all Canon Nifty Fifty on indoor available light:

http://www.willadrews.com/images/tpf/IMG_7203.jpg

http://www.willadrews.com/images/tpf/IMG_7228.jpg

http://www.willadrews.com/images/tpf/IMG_7322.jpg

http://www.willadrews.com/images/tpf/IMG_7334.jpg

[montanafan]

These were taken with the nifty fifty on a digital Rebel. The basketball were taken in a venue with good lighting, the volleyball in one with not so good lighting.

I had to go back a couple of years to find these because I don't use the lens for indoor sports much anymore. Like you, I got it because I was on a budget, but I ended up getting the 85mm less than a year later. As others have said, the keeper rate with the 50mm was so low that it got really aggravating and just made we want a better lens that much more.

It's kind of like the feeling I get now looking at the results from some of the better bodies compared to my XT, but I'm not stretching my budget any more than I already have.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_7345abnm.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_7356anm.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_4159a.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_4096a-1.jpg

[pantherphotos]

I have used the nifty fifty all basketball season. I can't complain too much. To be honest, it is slow for AF, but I have had a 60-70% keeper rate. I find that most of my missed shots are not b/c of slow AF, but b/c my aim was off.

I like it, b/c as someone stated above, on an APS-C, it is more like an 80mm. I plant myself under the basket between the 3-point arch. It is limited in range of course; anything past the 3-point line needs too much cropping to be even worth while. But for those close-up shots, I love it!

Here are some pics taken with a Rebel XSi, 1.8, s/s 1/500 at 1600 ISO. On all these shots, I bumped up the saturation a little, and adjusted the contrast a little also. None of these have any noise reduction applied, and very little, if any, cropping.

#1
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3211956921_ea23a544af_b.jpg

#2
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/3211963543_c42af7e2a2_b.jpg

#3
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3211960179_6d993c030a_b.jpg

No doubt the 85mm 1.8 is better. But don't let anyone tell you it can't be done with the nifty fifty!

[gh patriot]

This thread is awesome!! Looking forward to more sport pics with the fantastic plastic!:D

[Thomas G]

I have to say that the 50 1.8 rocks for what it costs. Yes it is a little slow but if you prefocus it will work just fine! Just learn some post processing and some of the photos will turn out good. Look at the post process that alisaeo did on that photo. Good Job. Granted you will not get as many keepers with this lens but don't let any tell you it is crap and you can not use it for BB.

The more you shoot, the better you will get as you learn.

[drummerhc]

Few from last week, last one is heavily cropped.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/drummerhc/IMG_2559.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/drummerhc/IMG_2617.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/drummerhc/IMG_2816.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a267/drummerhc/IMG_2578.jpg

[4Bucks]

Glad this thread is still alive. Even though some keep posting the 85mm when the thread is titled clearly "Post 50mm 1.8...". We all understand that 85mm is the way to go if you have the money. But for some of us the jump from $80 to over $350 is a big one. As stated in the OP... this is to give examples of what can be done on a budget. Really nice stuff coming. Thank you to all posters.