HELP!! Evening-Night Baseball Game in 1.5 Hours

[lost]

Ok I just lucked into free ticket to the local college baseball game. I am planing on bringing my 70-200 F/4L. Any suggestions? This will be my first shot at sports Photog. ALL of my equip is in my sig :( I know it is limited, but will I be able to get decent photos?

Edited title to reflect completed "assignment" with feedback!

[Jon]

Where are you sitting? f/4 may be too slow, even if you have the hacked firmware for ISO 3200. But the 50 f/1.8 won't be long enough unless you're right on the floor.

[lost]

It will be Open Admission. It is the first time I have been to the field. I will get as close as possible of course. I do have the Hack which might save me. The game starts at 6:30 so there might be enough light since daylight savings time kicked in. I do not know how bright the stadium lights are.

[CoolToolGuy]

A monopod or other sort of camera support could be your best friend - anything to steady the camera.

I have had some success with the 70-200 f4L under athletic lights, but you are on the edge. Up the ISO, and steady the camera. Good Luck.

If nothing else, tie a string around the lens where the tripod ring goes, and drop it to the ground (the string, that is), step on it and pull up to make it taut. It will work in a pinch.

Have Fun,

[lost]

I dont have a monopod, and there are no photoshops in my town. Can anyone tell me if one of the chain stores (Walmart,Target, Best Buy, or Circuit City) carry them? Great Idea about the string!! Kinda like a sling on a rifle.

[lost]

I think it is bleacher seating. If thats the case I might be able to find a place to sit with a open seat in front of me. I could put my foot on the seat and rest the camera on my knee, but that is doubtfull.

[CoolToolGuy]

I dont have a monopod, and there are no photoshops in my town. Can anyone tell me if one of the chain stores (Walmart,Target, Best Buy, or Circuit City) carry them? Great Idea about the string!! Kinda like a sling on a rifle.

Try Wal-Mart or Best Buy.

I have a more formal version of the string using a 1/4" eye bolt and some light chain known as a chain pod. Works great, but it needs a couple hours to assemble. Keep it in mind for the future.

Have Fun,

[lost]

Just out of curiosity what do the Pro's use at night games? I was thinking of getting the 100-400 for sports and wildlife but if it cant do night photog (stadium lights) I may rethink this. Do the pro's limit themselves to Primes in these circumstances? I didn't see any zooms longer than 200mm that were faster than F/4, but I may be missing something.

[lost]

This is what I am thinking, correct me if I am wrong. Shoot in AV with High ISO and let the shutter speed fall where it may. Any other suggestions?

I keep kicking myself for not buying the 2.8 but the budget just wasnt there and I won't put a hobby on credit.

[CoolToolGuy]

This is what I am thinking, correct me if I am wrong. Shoot in AV with High ISO and let the shutter speed fall where it may. Any other suggestions?

I keep kicking myself for not buying the 2.8 but the budget just wasnt there and I won't put a hobby on credit.

Not a bad start. watch your shutter speeds and see if you can use a smaller aperture - it will give you more depth of field (although f4 is not too bad)

I think you'll see the sports folks with the 70-200 f2.8L IS, 300 f2.8L, 400 f2.8L, etc.

Have Fun,

[markubig]

wouldn't 200mm be too short for bleacher seating? Outfielders chasing down fly balls might be your best chance for a decent shot.

[lost]

Thanks Rick,

Mark ,

When I said bleacher I ment the style of seating not the location. It is general admission and I am getting there 1.5 hours early so me thinks me gets a good seat between Home and First. :lol:

[lost]

OMFG I almost crapped my britches laughing. I went to B&H and seriously thinking about the 300 2.8 or the 400 2.8. People 3 offices down came to see what was going on. I really didnt think they were that expensive. Ok I am finally breathing. Well time to leave work to get ready. I will have one more chance to check this thread in about an hour. Right before I leave the house for the game, so if anyone has any other suggestion please let me know. I will post some pictures when I get back. Thanks again

[markubig]

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_redface.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_redface.gifps . . . sorry . . thought u were going to a MLB game . . . just read that you wrote local college.

[chucksberg]

If it's just one game, rent?

College plays a lot of day and weekend games, just pick a day game, tickets are cheap.

[lost]

Ok i am back from the game. I think I ended up with more than a couple really good pictures. I will post the best in a little while.

Rick,

I was able to pickup a cheap Monopod at Best Buy, its made by Sunpak. Worked out pretty good. You were right about the 400 being right on the edge. Thank god for RAW

P.S. I may have gone overboard. I took over 300 pictures.

[CoolToolGuy]

Ok i am back from the game. I think I ended up with more than a couple really good pictures. I will post the best in a little while.

P.S. I may have gone overboard. I took over 300 pictures.

The beauty of digital - no film worries . . .

Glad it worked out for you.

Have Fun,

[lost]

Here are a couple.

http://www.btoups.com/gallery/normal/CRW_5026.jpg

http://www.btoups.com/gallery/normal/CRW_5097.jpg

There were a couple other photographers. Looked like I was the only Canon-ite. I must have had 10 people ask me what paper I was shooting for. Felt kinda stupid telling people I was doing it for myself. Two of the other photographers were shooting with flashes. Would that help at all?

Thanks For the help everyone.

Edited to add link to Gallery where more of these can be seen. Please take a look and let me know what I did wrong. (and right :D )

http://www.btoups.com/gallerylist.php?exhibition=22

[lime]

What were your settings shooting mode, Ap, SS, ISO, focusing mode, etc.?

[chucksberg]

Felt kinda stupid telling people I was doing it for myself....

Just tell them freelance

[2goldens]

I tell people the same. Freelance. Great photos.

[markubig]

aaahhh . . . don't be embarassed . . . i'm sure they were in that position at one point in their photography careers.

Over the winter, I was buying flowers, and the lady at the counter was asking me if they were for my wife . . . i told her, "nah . . . i'm practicing my floral photography." Made me feel very manly http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/tongue3.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif, but after the pictures, I was extremely satisfied.

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