First soccer of the year

[Sauk]

Well today was the first soccer of the year. I rented a 400 F2.8 for the game (preseason game). I think I am going to purchase the 400 F5.6 since all games will be at 3:30pm. And rent when I need to rent a 2.8.

1.
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p439798689-3.jpg

2
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p282599668-3.jpg

3
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p341589997-3.jpg

4
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p526935010-3.jpg

5
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p92089426-3.jpg

6
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p146659653-3.jpg

7
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p234714572-3.jpg

8
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p352756375-3.jpg

[sfinkernagel]

FWIW, I have shot a lot of soccer with the 400 5.6. It has served quite well, but only in good daylight, of course.

As I recall,
http://fotofink.smugmug.com/gallery/6336926_XpxLF/1/399929846_BoiW7
this gallery was shot with that lens, as well as most of the daytime shots from that season.

[Big Hands]

- It always takes me a few matches to get my timing back. Looks like your was good, but could be a little better in some of these.

- I hate shooting teams with all or a lot of white in their uniforms, but not much you can control about that. At least the other team wasn't wearing all black.

- I'm not crazy about the crop in #1, but I like the action content..

- #2, #3 and #7 are my favorites with good timing in #3 and #7.

- I'd like to see them presented in a larger size.

I have become quite fond of using my 400 f/5.6L for shooting daytime soccer. On a 1D series, I think it would be even better. The ability of that lens to render BG's OOF is surprisingly good, but we all know the 400 f/2.8L is positively dreamy.

Thanks for sharing!

Regards,
Jeff

[Sauk]

Jeff,

Yeah these crops were presented in 5x7 format (website) and that is the reason for one's bad crop :(

I would like to present them in a larger size but for stealing purposes I have decided to keep them small (not you guys but from my website). I apologize for how small they are.

I think I might rent the 400 F5.6 in the coming days to try it out before I would purchase it.

[Big K]

I think I might rent the 400 F5.6 in the coming days to try it out before I would purchase it.

I think that is a good idea Matt. I can't imagine you are going to be satisfied with the results. Losing 2 stops from what a f/2.8 gives you is huge. The only time the f/5.6 is not going to be a limitation is on bright, sunny days, which tend to not be the best option for shooting.

Have you considered a 300 f/2.8 with a 1.4X? It would give you even more reach and would still only be an f/4 equiv. and you can still work at f/2.8 when needed using one of the best Canon lenses out there.

[Sauk]

Big K,

I have considered that, but right now money is tight. I shot at 5.6 at this game with that 400 and it raised my ISO from 100 to 320 which isn't huge. Soccer matches are played at 3:30 around here so I will have plenty of daylight to shoot as it does not get dark till around 7 I believe now.

Even at 5pm when the game was done I was around 320 ISO.

[Sauk]

here are a couple more from my 2nd body (5D + 70-200)

1
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p1030957266-3.jpg

2
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p662561756-3.jpg
3
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p1058095012-3.jpg

4
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p884328132-3.jpg

5
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p606226454-3.jpg

[namasste]

Matt, what about the 300 f4 and maybe a 1.4? Cost should be mush more reasonable and you now have two for the price of much less than one. The whites are still pretty hot so stopping down a bit certainly isn't going to be an issue and you have plenty of ISO to play with if needed at any point. Just another thought.

[Sauk]

Well I exposed for the faces I think that is why the whites are hot.

From what I have read the 400 F5.6 is sharper than the 300 F4 with 1.4 on it.

I don't know, might just rent for a while

[Cl!ckFoto]

Sauk, how far away are you when shooting? are you on the sidelines? seems like the 400mm would be a tad long if shooting from the sidelines/endlines where I usually shoot from. when I had my 30D/70-200 f2.8 that combo seemed to do pretty well so assuming you're using the 1D/400 i feel it might be a shade long. Of course if you're not less than a few feet from the side/endlines then forget what i'm saying. nice shots as always

[Sauk]

Matt,

I was shooting along side the goal (actually about 15 yards to the side of it). The 400 was a touch long but it was nice because I could easily get mid field action when I needed to.

But it was tough because once they got on that side it was quickly to close for the 400.

I would then switch to the 70-200 on the 5D but of course I think I might need a 1.4 to really make it effective.

[namasste]

I'll add that I usually shoot the 300 2.8 w/ a 1.4x (420mm) from the endlines and find its definitely not too long. As Matt said, when things get close, a switch to the 70-200 works well.

[Cl!ckFoto]

Sauk/Scott, fortunately for the both of you, i'm assuming you can use two bodies. being that i was limited to only one body to shoot soccer, the 70-200 was just long enough at 200mm on the 30D and when they got close, being able to zoom back out was helpful. i will admit that for action around midfield i could have used something a touch longer but was willing to give that fraction of the field up for more versatility elsewhere.

[Canon4L]

HaHa, Just from seeing those mountains in Pic #4 i new it was utah. Then i looked at your profile and sure enough, Good old sandy utah. I live in Alpine.

[Sauk]

nice :) Yeah you can't show off outdoor sports in Utah without a shot of the mountains :)

[namasste]

Sauk/Scott, fortunately for the both of you, i'm assuming you can use two bodies. being that i was limited to only one body to shoot soccer, the 70-200 was just long enough at 200mm on the 30D and when they got close, being able to zoom back out was helpful. i will admit that for action around midfield i could have used something a touch longer but was willing to give that fraction of the field up for more versatility elsewhere.
Matt, the 70-200 does well with the 1.4 attached. it still gives you some extra reach on the long end without being too long on the short. Something to try, I've used it for football and it seems to do the trick (especially in good light).

[Cl!ckFoto]

scott, unfortunately i didnt get to try that while i still had the 70-200. i recently traded that lens for a 135L and couldnt be happier. also it hasn't effected me because it is not soccer season right now and the 135L/5D combo is stunning. i believe my next purchase will either be a 200 2.8L or 300 4L both of which will have a 1.4tc attached.

[Sauk]

Yeah I have been lusting after that 135 for a while now. Not very expensive but the images it produces are stunning :)

[Cl!ckFoto]

i have to say it was well worth the trade for the 70-200L

[namasste]

Yeah I have been lusting after that 135 for a while now. Not very expensive but the images it produces are stunning :)
+1. I have struggled not to sell something in exchange for a 135. Since the 70-200 is my main hoops lens, I haven't swapped em yet but I really find that even with hoops, I am always shooting right around the 135mm or so mark so it wouldn't be too tough to do it....grrrr, now Im thinking about it again.

[Cl!ckFoto]

haha do it! you WILL NOT be disappointed

[Big K]

Yeah I have been lusting after that 135 for a while now. Not very expensive but the images it produces are stunning :)

+1. I have struggled not to sell something in exchange for a 135. Since the 70-200 is my main hoops lens, I haven't swapped em yet but I really find that even with hoops, I am always shooting right around the 135mm or so mark so it wouldn't be too tough to do it....grrrr, now Im thinking about it again.

You both would love it and except when shooting with strobes, am guessing your 70-200 would never see another basketball or volleyball contest. The biggest thing I like about it is the extra stop it allows when shooting at f/2. I am such a shutter speed junkie.

Buy, buy, buy :-)