Rugby with new lens

[jim9449]

Hi been a while since I posted any sports work. I got a new Sigma 120-300 f2.8 and tried it out last weekend at local rugby game, used a 30D, sun was very harsh, thanks for looking.
Jim

#1

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/471872941_fszQQ-O.jpg

#2


http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/471872862_w2h8V-O.jpg

#3

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/471872648_GNS5h-O.jpg

#4

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/471872420_9ku97-O.jpg

#5

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/471872162_itvhK-O.jpg

#6


http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/471872424_9XaDf-O.jpg

[DooleyPix]

Congrats on your new lens Jim,looks like you've got a sharp one,i've heard it's not alway's the case.I would have cropped the first five vertical and tight,then,that's me:):);).Why didn't you use your MK11:confused::confused:.
Pleased you finaly got some good weather.

Salut

[TopGear1Ds]

How do you like the new lens? I'm thinking of getting one soon.

[jim9449]

Congrats on your new lens Jim,looks like you've got a sharp one,i've heard it's not alway's the case.I would have cropped the first five vertical and tight,then,that's me:):);).Why didn't you use your MK11:confused::confused:.
Pleased you finaly got some good weather.

Salut

Hi Trevor, it looks good and sharp, had an issue with the MK2n was getting a err99 nearly every time I took it out, sometimes it would refuse to operate so I gave it back to the guy to get it repaired.
Jim

[jim9449]

How do you like the new lens? I'm thinking of getting one soon.

Hi TopGear 1Ds, first impressions are very good, I bought it mainly for my rally photography, will be going to a rally this weekend and will know better then.
Jim

[khall]

Nice pictures Jim.
Can't complain about sharpness of the lens they all look good.
Good Luck at the Rally.

[jim9449]

Nice pictures Jim.
Can't complain about sharpness of the lens they all look good.
Good Luck at the Rally.

Cheers Ken

[MT Stringer]

Nice pics, Jim. I have the 120-300 Siggy also and love it.
Mike

[Tobers]

#6 is the best of the bunch there. Shame about the shadow on the runner's face though but such is life. The rest look nice and crisp and sharp.

I had a nightmare with my 120-300 and ended up ditching it for a Canon 300 2.8. I didn't see any 120-300's at Twickenham last Saturday and that probably says it all. Everyone was using Canon or Nikon 300 or 400 2.8 primes. Glad it's working for you though, just take care when you put it on your 1D as the lens will struggle with the speed of the camera.

[jim9449]

#6 is the best of the bunch there. Shame about the shadow on the runner's face though but such is life. The rest look nice and crisp and sharp.

I had a nightmare with my 120-300 and ended up ditching it for a Canon 300 2.8. I didn't see any 120-300's at Twickenham last Saturday and that probably says it all. Everyone was using Canon or Nikon 300 or 400 2.8 primes. Glad it's working for you though, just take care when you put it on your 1D as the lens will struggle with the speed of the camera.

Thanks Tobers The sun just ruined #6 shot a bit :( You would not expect to see the top togs at Twickers with anything less than the best lenses (probably supplied by the agency) I just cant afford a Canon 2.8 at the moment, I bought the Siggy on recommendation for motor sport togs on here some really rave about it. sorry you had a bad experience with one, I will be using it on my 40D this weekend and see how it preforms.
Cheers
Jim

[jim9449]

Nice pics, Jim. I have the 120-300 Siggy also and love it.
Mike


Thanks for that MT Stringer, what do you mostly use it for?
Jim

[MT Stringer]

what do you mostly use it for?
Mostly high school softball, football, soccer, baseball, lacrosse. I also use it for the little league stuff - softball and baseball.

Here's one of my favorites.
Mike

[Wild Style]

these are awesome shots. As someone else said, they deserve a tighter crop. Captured the action well sir.

[jim9449]

these are awesome shots. As someone else said, they deserve a tighter crop. Captured the action well sir.

Thanks Wild Style the general opinion is I should crop tighter, here are some

#1

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/472496398_gp5bC-O.jpg

#2

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/472496438_nQnd6-O.jpg

#3

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/472496359_nv8w6-O.jpg

#4

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/472495919_6yTWV-O.jpg

[superreds]

Great photos with a great lens, I've had mine for a year or so and I'm delighted with it.

[KayakPhotos]

Nice shots. This lens is a true performer, especially at its price point.

[khall]

Nice pictures Jim.
Can't complain about sharpness of the lens they all look good.
Good Luck at the Rally.

With the tighter cropping still tops shots, excellent recommendation for the lens.

[jim9449]

Great photos with a great lens, I've had mine for a year or so and I'm delighted with it.

Cheers Chris, seen your football pics with the lens very good.
Jim

Nice shots. This lens is a true performer, especially at its price point.

Thanks 40Driggs that was my first shots with it, seems value for money.
Jim

With the tighter cropping still tops shots, excellent recommendation for the lens.

Thanks Ken, hope you are not near the fires:(
Jim

[MTaylor]

Great Shots! It is fun to see these as there is not much rugby played in So Cal that I have seen.

[jimmywires]

second set is much better.... nice and sharp action
whats a rally?

[Red Dog]

Great shots Jim. The cropping makes the world of difference. Bought a 120-300 Sigma before Christmas. Its sharp too, but my only issue is with mobility especially for football where theres a lot of movement. I found my 70-200 much easier to operate and could capture action much easier. Apart from that I'm happy enough with the quality. Nice to see the sun shining here for once.

[jim9449]

Great Shots! It is fun to see these as there is not much rugby played in So Cal that I have seen.

Cheers M Taylor, good rugby game can produce plenty of photographic action.
Jim

second set is much better.... nice and sharp action
whats a rally?


Thanks jimmywires will be cropping tighter in future. Rallying is the biggest motor sport in this country we have just hosted the first round of the World rally Championship. Here (http://www.wrc.com/)
Jim

[skygod44]

Great shots....but to be honest, I think you can crop even tighter!

I did a shoot here last summer ('fraid they're on my computer at home...) and the close-ups of the faces when the players "impact" are amazing!

With such a juicy lens, I highly recommend getting right in their faces, so to speak!

[jim9449]

Great shots Jim. The cropping makes the world of difference. Bought a 120-300 Sigma before Christmas. Its sharp too, but my only issue is with mobility especially for football where theres a lot of movement. I found my 70-200 much easier to operate and could capture action much easier. Apart from that I'm happy enough with the quality. Nice to see the sun shining here for once.

Thanks Red Dog, that probably is the downside of the lens the weight had to use a mono pod, instead of chasing the action along the touch line I just sat and waited for the action to come to me, yes sunshine is a rare commodity in the neck of the woods, just spent two weekends at rallies in Galway and Sligo getting soaked both me and the gear:(
Jim

[jim9449]

Great shots....but to be honest, I think you can crop even tighter!

I did a shoot here last summer ('fraid they're on my computer at home...) and the close-ups of the faces when the players "impact" are amazing!

With such a juicy lens, I highly recommend getting right in their faces, so to speak!

Thanks skygod44, will try it next shoot
Jim

[Wild Style]

Thanks Wild Style the general opinion is I should crop tighter, here are some

#1



#2



#3



#4


perfection! Seriously, those are beautiful shots and you nailed the crop. 2 and 3 are my favorite. 4 I like a LOT just wish it had a shallower depth of field. 1. I like but maybe come in tighter on the right? I don't know, but eitherway you have some shots to be very proud of.

Also, you were using the 70 - 200 f2.8 right? Maybe go with f2.8 with these shots to create shallower depth of field and you can isolate the action even more.

[Roy Webber]

Looks a nice sharp lens from these shots...good action captures

[Lesmac]

Cracking series Jim, all crisp and clear.

I have the same lens, and it's so sharp you cut yourself on it, with a gorgeous bokeh.

The only downside is it's weight, like you I use a monopod when shooting Rugby.

[jim9449]

Looks a nice sharp lens from these shots...good action captures

Thanks Roy

Cracking series Jim, all crisp and clear.

I have the same lens, and it's so sharp you cut yourself on it, with a gorgeous bokeh.

The only downside is it's weight, like you I use a monopod when shooting Rugby.

Cheers Lesmac, need to do some gym work to hand hold:lol:
Jim

[Red Dog]

After two or three months you won't even notice its there ......trust me. However you might notice your left arm developing bulges you've never had before!