STL Cardinals game need help

[n2debt]

Hey guys like Ihave seen in other threads I need advice on what type of lense I need to rent for the game. I have the T1i and want a zoom I can reach players easily when I am sitting in the 10th row lower level. It is also photo night and we will be on the field taking pictures close up with all of the players so I need a close up lense for that. I have the 18-55 is and the 55-250is but I dont think any of those will work please advise on what lenses that I should use for the perfect up close shot and far away.Thanks

[narlus]

the lens you need for what you describe won't be allowed in the park.

edit - well, you said you would be on the field?

[RickyH]

From the 10th row where? Are you saying inside 1st or 3rd base or further down the line?

[n2debt]

ok first question I have looked at stl's website and it says clearly you can bring anything inside the park as long as you dont hinder or obstruct the view of the people in front of you I am sitting in the front row of the section we are in just behind third base about and about 10 rows back but we are still in front of everybody in that section. Secondly yes we will be on the field "on the dirt track" around the field they rope it off so we can take pictures of the players when they walk around so they come up to you hopefully and then you will get a chance to take pictures but what lense works great for that close of a picture it will be in the late afternoon and there will be some direct light on the field but some shade? Any help would be great

[canonnoob]

400 2.8 IS :D or 500 f4

[uwplattneer]

I would say the 100-400 or the 70-200 2.8. I bring both of those to Brewer games and no one ever says anything to me as far a getting stopped at the gate. If you bring a 500 I'm sure they would question it. IMO I would bring the 100-400 and stick the 18-55 in your pocket/bag. When it comes time to take close ups put the shorter lens on and the other one in your bag.

[JeffreyG]

the lens you need for what you describe won't be allowed in the park.



Most MLB parks are very open in what they allow. You can take a 600/4 into Comerica Park if you want, but I personally wouldn't want to carry it.

I think the OP should take a 100-400 and something in the range of 17mm to about 50mm. There are plenty of choices.

[n2debt]

perfect thats what I needed something good for close ups with the players and long distance when we are sitting in the stands


thanks ill take more suggestions if anyone wants to chime in

[clickclickclick]

I use a 300 2.8L in the stands w/o a hood.

[MJPhotos24]

Most MLB parks are very open in what they allow.

Since when? There's a lens limit in almost all MLB parks and many MiLB, Comerica is just an exception as well as Busch Stadium which do not have a specific lens rule on there official rules. However, that doesn't mean they will let anything in at any time. They can restrict anything they want at any time and just depends on the person at the gate or what not. My guess is it will be even more restrictive over the next few years with agencies pushing for it.

[dmwierz]

I'm with Mike, and want to also add that it doesn't matter a hoot what anyone here says, and sometime doesn't even matter what a given team has on their web site - it's the people at the gate who allow or disallow things into the park, and if they put up a stop sign, you may be hosed. Imagine telling the gate dude "This guy on POTN told me HE got HIS lens into the park. You GOTTA let me take mine in!" ;)

Even having a copy of their own team's rules doesn't always matter, as these folks don't have time to read anything - they're too busy getting 30,000 people through the turnstiles.

Also, just because somebody else gets something into Wrigley doesn't mean the same equipment will be allowed in Busch (or Comerica, or The Cell, or Fenway, etc.....)

The rule of thumb usually is: don't count on anything, and don't bring anything to the park that you don't feel comfortable leaving in your car, 'cuz MLB parks don't provide storage for your disallowed photographic gear. The corollary to this is: be prepared to miss the first inning as you hump your gear back to your vehicle. YMMV.

[DC Fan]

I have the 18-55 is and the 55-250is but I dont think any of those will work please advise on what lenses that I should use for the perfect up close shot and far away.Thanks

The 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS should be long enough if you can get close enough.

Baseball from a Digital Rebel XTi, from different lenses but similar focal lengths:

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20090810a0130.jpg

Focal Length: 250.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0025 s (1/400)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv: 200
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20090604a1301.jpg

Focal Length: 240.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0025 s (1/400)
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO equiv: 400
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: program (Auto)

[jvinlove]

I take my 70-200 with a hood on it all the time, been to 20 games this year and no issues yet.

Not Busch Satdium But this was with a 55-250 at Wrigley
http://candidmemoriesonline.smugmug.com/photos/600451994_r7HrA-M.jpg

[n2debt]

Ok I can see what I need for the long shots and will rent one probably for this occasion but what about the photo shots when Pujols will be about 3 feet away from me holding my 3 year old?

[hatchd]

the 17-50/55 is where I'd go. need something wide enough so you're not sitting there walking backwards saying "hold on a minute" while pujols has your kid in his hands.

And when is this? Hadn't heard anything about it. And the security is pretty lax at Busch. We bring about a 15lb "purse" (i put it in quotes because it's a small bag that calls itself a purse) every time we go and the people at the turnstyles just look at it and laugh at everything we have and pass us right in.

[Celtic Tiger]

Ok I can see what I need for the long shots and will rent one probably for this occasion but what about the photo shots when Pujols will be about 3 feet away from me holding my 3 year old?

I think you're kidding here; but if you're not, don't get your hopes up on this one. When you say "lower level" do you mean field box? If you are in 158, 159 or 160 10 rows up, you may be ok with what you have. I'm in 159 row 22 an can get decent shots with my 70-200 and an 1.4x converter with proper light.

I assume you are going 8/29. The game starts at 6.15 pm so you will have plenty of light for almost 2 hours. You will not have any problem getting your equipment in. If you do just go to another gate. I've taken my 70-200 into Busch a number of times.

[n2debt]

Yes it is the 8/29/09 game we have went to photo night for the past 3 years I have great pics of all of the players but last year Pujols picked up my son and lifted him up like a airplane and I did not get it but I did get several of him holding him. I had my canon A540 powershot is all but it took ok pics this year is going to be different with this T1i my wife and I have been to a few classes and we think we are ready but are just finding a hard time figuring out what lenses to take other than the 55-250 is and the 18-55 is lense? Sorry for the long reply but yes we are in section 158 10 rows up frokm the field so really what telephoto should I use?

[n2debt]

the 17-50/55 is where I'd go. need something wide enough so you're not sitting there walking backwards saying "hold on a minute" while pujols has your kid in his hands.Isnt that lense primarily used in low light not in direct sunlight situations? Would my 18-55is be a better choice for this?

[n2debt]

the 17-50/55 is where I'd go. need something wide enough so you're not sitting there walking backwards saying "hold on a minute" while pujols has your kid in his hands.

Isnt that lense primarily used in low light not in direct sunlight situations? Would my EFS 18-55 is be a better choice?

[dmwierz]

Isnt that lense primarily used in low light not in direct sunlight situations? Would my EFS 18-55 is be a better choice?

Not sure what you mean by this. Are you talking about the 17-55 f/2.8 IS? You know you can vary the aperture of the lens, don't you? You also know there's really not such a thing as a "low light" lens nor a "direct sunlight" lens, right? These different situations are handled by your camera settings.

The EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS is a better choice than your 18-55 in EVERY situation. There's a reason why it costs 6X more than the kit lens.

I've not worked the "New" Busch at night, but if it's like most other MLB parks, you may need every last bit of aperture to ensure adequate shutter speeds once the Sun goes down - unless you're only looking to take shots before sunset.

[clarence]

Cameras/Video Equipment

Both still and video cameras are allowed in Busch Stadium, as long as they do not obstruct another guest's view.

doesn't even matter what a given team has on their web site

Even having a copy of their own team's rules doesn't always matter, as these folks don't have time to read anything

The rule of thumb usually is: don't count on anything, and don't bring anything to the park

Has anyone here ever been denied access to a park with equipment that was consistent with the stadium's published guidelines?

I've attended maybe 100 events in the last couple of years... even with a Bigma 50-500 or 100-400L... never heard anything other than "enjoy the game" when going through the bag inspection.

Plus, the OP says this is Photo Night.

[clarence]

The EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS is a better choice than your 18-55 in EVERY situation.

Unless the situation is that:
- he doesn't own a EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS
- he doesn't borrow/rent a EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS
- he doesn't plan on buying a 17-55 f/2.8 IS as an upgrade to his 18-55 IS

Don't get caught up in equipment... make the most of what you've got. It usually takes quite a while until you really exceed the capabilities of what your equipment can provide. The 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS are fine lenses for the T1i.

Sure, you can always spend 6x more and yes, a f/2.8 lens will be better for low-light late innings, but you'll also have to learn to work with a razor-thin depth of field at f/2.8 or wider... missed focus is harder to recover from than picking up a stop or two with higher ISO (don't be afraid to use 6400 on your T1i to keep your shutter speeds up, especially with some NR in PP like Noise Ninja or NeatImage). And with 15MP on a 1.6x crop sensor, you'll have plenty of MP to crop down for effective zoom.

Yes, a 70-200/2.8L with 1.4x TC or a 100-400L would be fun to rent/bring. But with a 3-year-old, you've probably got enough support gear to bring, so bring what you already own and don't fret over what might be better.

[n2debt]

Wow this is some good information and some way over my head but I will probably rent a lense just for the fun of it and take my others and see what happens I am sure I will get better shots with my T1i than with my Canon A540 that we took last year :) thanks for your help...