5D + Basketball + Help!

[briancmo]

I'm shooting a charity event this weekend and I only have my 5D (sister took my xti to the US so no crop for me). Should I rent the 70-200 or 100-400? I'm worried the 70-200 oesn't have enough reach for basketbal, but I don't know since I've never tried shooting the sport before.

How should I best be using my AF system? use the 9 AF points and put it up top? or try manually focusing? I know he 5D is slow...then again I've only tried it on my 24-70 and it was always behind my subject that was moving. Is it possibly the motor in the lens is just not as fast as the 70-200?

[liam5100]

The 70-200 is my primary BBall lens, there is plenty of reach for anything on your 1/2 of the court. Depending on where your positioned of course but the 70-200 might even be too much for very close up shots.

Its better to have the 2.8 for light purposes, assuming this is an indoor event, than the reach of the 100-400.

If your going to be on the baselines your 24-70 is an excellent lens. Normally when I carry two camera's for basketball its the 24-70 on one, 70-200 on the other. Again you'll need every bit of the 2.8.

Use individual focus points. Personally I like to use the ones below center or to the right of center depending especially when holding in portrait mode. I like being able to focus on the play and catching the action with the ball out in front of them or above them.

[briancmo]

The 70-200 is my primary BBall lens, there is plenty of reach for anything on your 1/2 of the court. Depending on where your positioned of course but the 70-200 might even be too much for very close up shots.

Its better to have the 2.8 for light purposes, assuming this is an indoor event, than the reach of the 100-400.

If your going to be on the baselines your 24-70 is an excellent lens. Normally when I carry two camera's for basketball its the 24-70 on one, 70-200 on the other. Again you'll need every bit of the 2.8.

Use individual focus points. Personally I like to use the ones below center or to the right of center depending especially when holding in portrait mode. I like being able to focus on the play and catching the action with the ball out in front of them or above them.

Thanks for this. I'll get the 70-200 2.8. Is the 5D sow in focusing or was my 1 test experience just bad because the motor in the 24-70 is not as fast as the 70-200. I'm worried i'll hit the focus point but the lens will be lagging

[AdamLewis]

5D is definitely capable of shooting sports. Center point servo will give you better tracking than anything other than a 1 series. Its not quite as responsive though...

Ive used a 5D numerous time to shoot Division 1 NCAA basketball so you should be ok unless youre shooting in an absolute cave.

[Big K]

5D is definitely capable of shooting sports. Center point servo will give you better tracking than anything other than a 1 series. Its not quite as responsive though...

Ive used a 5D numerous time to shoot Division 1 NCAA basketball so you should be ok unless youre shooting in an absolute cave.

+1 and the 70-200 is what you want to use and not the 100-400.

[AdamLewis]

+1 and the 70-200 is what you want to use and not the 100-400.

Most definitely

[briancmo]

OK. Reserved the 70-200. Now lets hope I can figure out this focusing business!

[AdamLewis]

OK. Reserved the 70-200. Now lets hope I can figure out this focusing business!

AI Servo
Center point only
Press the button

[briancmo]

AI Servo
Center point only
Press the button

If i leave it on denter point though it will always bee off the mark for their face since it will jus be tracking their stomach?

[AdamLewis]

If i leave it on denter point though it will always bee off the mark for their face since it will jus be tracking their stomach?

Just shoot that way and crop it. In dark places, the outer points arent fast enough or reliable enough.