Any Rodeo Shooters that do it professionally?

[harv3589]

I did some shooting last summer of a rodeo for a friend that was in it and really enjoyed it. I want to get more into it and was wondering what the best lens would be for the sport? Taking into consideration indoor and outdoor shooting. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob

[GregMik]

I did some shooting last summer of a rodeo for a friend that was in it and really enjoyed it. I want to get more into it and was wondering what the best lens would be for the sport? Taking into consideration indoor and outdoor shooting. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rob


We tried it with a 70-200L 2.8, and an 85 1.8. I had the 85 with a 20D. I had to shoot at 800ISO and it didn't work very well. Tasha had the 70-200 with a 1Dm2 at 1200ISo and it worked ok....

http://www.freewebs.com/gregmikk/08MRAFinals/BullRiding/08MRAFinals_c7g3863c.jpg

Greg

[Dale Miller]

I do it professionally, but you can't make a liveing at it. As far as the lens question goes, my #1 lens would be my 70-200 2.8 #2 would be my 100-400 4.5-5.6.

[harv3589]

I was thinking of the 100-400 IS....good idea?

[GregMik]

I was thinking of the 100-400 IS....good idea?

Good for outdoor....useless for indoor.

Greg

[Dale Miller]

Useless without strobes!

[harv3589]

Useless without strobes!

So the 70-200 F2.8 IS would be better?

[GregMik]

I do it professionally, but you can't make a liveing at it. As far as the lens question goes, my #1 lens would be my 70-200 2.8 #2 would be my 100-400 4.5-5.6.

I think you asked via Pm how ours went......

We are still getting requests for what we shot....

Greg

[GregMik]

So the 70-200 F2.8 IS would be better?

With the bodies you have it will work ok for indoor and great for outdoor.

Greg

[harv3589]

With the bodies you have it will work ok for indoor and great for outdoor.

Greg

Greg, what would be your choice of an indoor lens then? Or should I be looking at changing bodies and going with a 1DMkIII? I could probably trade someone my literally new 5DMkII for one I am sure...it has under 100 shots on it.

[Dale Miller]

You get to a markIII with the 2.8 you will have what pro shooters useing Canon are shooting with.

[Dale Miller]

The fact is, all the pro rodeo shooters I know are looking to be able to shoot night shows and indoor shows without lights. Its close, but not threr yet. For outdoor day shows I like my 100-400 because of the reach in some of the big arenas. Most sports shooters will tell you its to slow, but I have had great luck with it in bright sun. I have also used it indoor with strobes.

[GregMik]

Greg, what would be your choice of an indoor lens then? Or should I be looking at changing bodies and going with a 1DMkIII? I could probably trade someone my literally new 5DMkII for one I am sure...it has under 100 shots on it.

If you want great shots....Bright lights or strobes as Dale has said.

Greg

[GregMik]

To add, Tasha and I shot the MRA (Minnesota Rodeo) finals. It was indoor, we asked allot of ppl how to shoot it. Nobody would really help.

We shot it with a 70-200 non-IS and an 85 1.8.

We got ok results. We are still getting requests for prints off WOM (Word of Mouth). The ppl riding thought it was great, but we were not very happy.

I now have a 40D and the higher ISO performance would have helped me out allot with the 85 1.8. I shot at 800ISO/20D and my shots were really noisy.

Tasha used the 70-200 and the 1Dm2, her shots were way better than mine, and hers are the ones the ppl want.

Greg

[GregMik]

The fact is, all the pro rodeo shooters I know are looking to be able to shoot night shows and indoor shows without lights. Its close, but not threr yet. For outdoor day shows I like my 100-400 because of the reach in some of the big arenas. Most sports shooters will tell you its to slow, but I have had great luck with it in bright sun. I have also used it indoor with strobes.

It does work good!

http://www.freewebs.com/gregmikk/CowgirlTuff270908/270908Barrels_C7G1458L.jpg

[CountryBoy]

I've only shot a couple, but really had a great time doing it. Would love to do more of them.
Mine where during the day and I used the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 lens Here's one from awhile back.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2045/2040846116_a323d321eb_o.jpg

[HammerCope]

For me its the 70-200 f4 with a norman 400b. Around my area if you cant shoot in the dark no point in going.

[harv3589]

The one Ranch Rodeo that i did shoot, I used my 40D with a Canon 300mm F4 IS on it. Here is a link to some of the pics I got from it.

Click Here (http://gallery.me.com/rdmaerz#100071&bgcolor=black&view=grid)

[Dale Miller]

I think those are very good. I also like the 300mm fixed lens,but find at a regular rodeo because of the differnt events a zoom is the only way I can get what I need. HammerCope mentiond the 70-200 f4. That is a great lens. I have one I use all the time, its much lighter than the 2.8 and lighter on the wallet. My experiance has been that 90% of the arenas I shoot at will demand somekind of flash if not in daylight. Now I have not tried the markIII but I do have a Nikon D3 and even with it I use a flash at night or indoors.

[harv3589]

My thoughts were to use my 70-200 F4 IS on my 40D and the 300mm on my 5DMkII or a MkIII if I trade it. Or replace the 300 with a 100-400....but I just cant bring myself to get ride of the 300, its so sharp and nice to use.

[Dale Miller]

I think you got a great combination there. I know how you feel about giveing up lenses. I'd say you shoot the tie down steer wrestling,and the bull rideing with the 300mm and all the rest with the zoom. I dont know about the 5DII for sports, I've never used one but it will probably work fine. What I hve seen on the MarkIII I know I want one. Good luck, you are in a great part of the world to get to shoot alot of rodeo.

[harv3589]

Thanks everyone for the help...and it is a great area to live in...I am just outside of Calgary so there are a number of rodeos here every year. That will give me alot of practise.

[Jon, The Elder]

#3 and #5 posters are right on. Thats why we shoot outdoors only. It is pretty tough to make a living at it, unless you are willing to travel a lot and become a politician in the process.