Baseball and a 400mm

[fslshooter]

A shooter friend let me try his 400mm at a Braves vs Cardinals ST game the other day.

Albert from about 50 feet @f2.8

http://www.ourcubs.com//potn/050320_013-01.jpg

Ray King from about 120 feet @f2.8 with a 1.4x

http://www.ourcubs.com//potn/050320_033-01.jpg

I think I needed to stop down a bit to widen DOF otherwise it's a piece of glass I sure would like to own.

[maderito]

I don't think the issue is DOF. Where you using a monopod? What shutter speed? Just curious ...

[fslshooter]

Yes to using a monopod. #1 = f/2.8, ISO 400, 1/8000, pattern metering mode and #2 = f/4, ISO 400, 1/5300, pattern metering mode. Note that #2 is f/4 not f/2.8 as was stated in my original note. The issue might be my post processing skills or lack thereof. Both were shot RAW and I'm new at converting.

[maderito]

The issue might be my post processing skills or lack thereof. Both were shot RAW and I'm new at converting.
Ah. . . I think you've hit on the problem. Sharpen these shots and perhaps boost the contrast a bit. You should be able to see the stubble in Pujols afternoon beard and the individual links in his neck jewelry.

The calculated DOF is about 6 inches, front to back. But that applies to a standard 8 X 10 print. At the image sizes you are posting, most of Pujols' body should appear to be in focus. If you examine your image closely, you'll see what parts are critically focused since the body is angled towards the camera.

Albert's a future Hall of Famer. You might want to hang on to that shot!

[fslshooter]

If you examine your image closely, you'll see what parts are critically focused since the body is angled towards the camera.



I felt like a kid in a candy store shooting with that monster and to tell the truth I think I was so excited that I missed the critical focus point -- I don't even remember what I used :( . However, my examination of the RAW image makes it appear to be his left elbow. I think I should have used the chain on his neck. If 6" means 3" on each side of that then I don't think there's anything I can do get his stubble tack sharp. I just need to develop better technique. I will print myself an 8x10 though -- like you say it'll be worth keeping.

[zach]

Wow, I'd love to have that lens! Nice shots. I got a lot of poeple commenting about the 100-400, but I would imagine that 400 prime got some reall attention in the stands.

[fslshooter]

Wow, I'd love to have that lens! Nice shots. I got a lot of poeple commenting about the 100-400, but I would imagine that 400 prime got some reall attention in the stands.

Actually I wasn't in the stands for those. My boss got credentials for me that day because he wanted some shots of a guy who used to be in the Cubs farm system. Contrary to what some may think, being in the photog pits aren't choice seats at some ballparks. The Braves ST ballpark is one of them -- there are no seats in the pits and there is nothing to protect shooters from foul balls. I got hit by one foul tip myself and another passed between me and the guy next to me. The wall behind the photogs is tattooed with dozens of white spots where balls hit it.

[gmen]

Nice stuff fslshooter... good to see the 400mm in action... if I ever 'upgrade' my 300mm, that lens is obviously the way to go! The combination of a 400mm f/2.8 and a 200mm f/1.8 sounds somewhat tempting.

I'm off to a darkened room.

[fslshooter]

Nice stuff fslshooter... good to see the 400mm in action... if I ever 'upgrade' my 300mm, that lens is obviously the way to go! The combination of a 400mm f/2.8 and a 200mm f/1.8 sounds somewhat tempting.

I'm off to a darkened room.

It's my dream lens for sure -- dream combo too. The shotter who let me try his 400 the other day told me that he shot with a 300 before he upgraded. Based on that, its price tag compared to a 400 and the feedback from you, kennyg, ssim and fretnomore I placed my order with B&H for a 300mm f/2.8 this morning. I should have it in time for some practice shots before opening night next week. One good thing about shooting baseball is that our guys play 140 games during the season between April 6 and Sep 3 and half of those games are at home. With that much practice I might be able to get some good stuff before the season ends. We'll see.

[PaCiFiSt]

I like, I like alot..