Keeping your eye on the ball - Sigma 70-200 f2.8 sample shot

[Croasdail]

Just came back from the game a few minutes ago - and I know there have been a lot of questions about how good the Sigma lens is - well here is an example from a total hack. It is shot at 200 mm wide open - Large JPEG - nothing... I mean really NOTHING has been done to this shot. It was only resized to make it here - Baseball through the lens has added a whole new dimension to the game and it is all new and fun again. ;)

[Croasdail]

Ah - just came across another that follows this theme.... I love how in minor league ball even their uniforms are a little torn and all... anyway...sorry all! I will stop now and go to bed.

[NYC2BGI]

Those are great shots.

[blinking8s]

which camera?

and how did you find the AF when tracking a subject?

[Croasdail]

This was with the 10d.... AI servo mode. I would say it stayed locked in 90%+ of the time. At the end of the game is used the 1.4 TC and that dropped to about 70% locked on but then again I was also up to ISO 1600 to keep shutter at 1/250th. I also had to be a lot more careful as you would expect.

[Persian-Rice]

blinking8s, I wouldnt think baseball is the best sport to judge tracking. At the plate the guy isnt really moving and when he is running the bases he isnt moving very fast.

Croasdail, get any shots of the batter making contact? I love those kind of shots. Post more.

[GyRob]

just shows what a good jpeg can looks like very nice
Rob.

[sf_1857]

Just curiuos, why were you shooting 1/250? For DOF?

I'm always thinking - shoot faster, such as 1/1000 to freeze the ball.

Great shots BTW.

Thanks.

[LouDawg]

Just curiuos, why were you shooting 1/250? For DOF?

I'm always thinking - shoot faster, such as 1/1000 to freeze the ball.

Great shots BTW.

Thanks.

He's shooting 1/250 at f/2.8 at ISO 1600. It was getting dark out and it seems the lights weren't all that bright. In other words, 1/250 is the fastest shutter speed he could use and still get a decent exposure without going to ISO 3200. Shutter speed has no effect on DOF, that's the aperture.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Great looking shots.. you had a very good vantage point!

[Croasdail]

Just curiuos, why were you shooting 1/250? For DOF?

I'm always thinking - shoot faster, such as 1/1000 to freeze the ball.

Great shots BTW.

Thanks.

The reason above was the primary one - lighting was poor... it is odd - the pitchers mound and first base were a full stop brighter then the batters box. Second - if i can't freeze the ball - I like seeing motion so it doesn't look like a ball just hanging in air. For other sports, and even other BaseBall shots I do like it at times... the safe throw to first type shots... but here... I kinda like'm with motion, right or wrong... go figure.

Thanks all for the kind comments.

[Croasdail]

Great looking shots.. you had a very good vantage point!

Thanks! I have found I am not necessarily getting better as a photographer, rather I am getting better at weaseling my way into spots that give me a better chance at good shots. I am a whole lot less shy now.

[rich_yau]

Great looking shots.. you had a very good vantage point!

were you at ground level?

[Croasdail]

The row behind the dugout...

[Screamer]

Great shots! Looks like the home team was up for taking strikes looking!