Help!!! Going to Cowboys-Eagles game w/Canon EOS Rebel T1i

[NahLaterz]

Got this camera for Christmas from wife and outside of taking pics inside the house and of the kids, I haven't taken much else. I'm accustomed to using a point & shoot camera, so this is all new to me. This camera came with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens. I considered renting a telephoto lens, but that looks less likely as the hours go by. Thus I'm pretty much stuck with what I've got lens wise. I've got great seats in Cowboys Stadium about 6 rows up from field at 20 yard line.

Any advice on what settings to shoot on? I honestly have no clue...

Thanks

[stsva]

Got this camera for Christmas from wife and outside of taking pics inside the house and of the kids, I haven't taken much else. I'm accustomed to using a point & shoot camera, so this is all new to me. This camera came with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens. I considered renting a telephoto lens, but that looks less likely as the hours go by. Thus I'm pretty much stuck with what I've got lens wise. I've got great seats in Cowboys Stadium about 6 rows up from field at 20 yard line.

Any advice on what settings to shoot on? I honestly have no clue...

Thanks

Have you checked with the stadium to make sure you'll be allowed to take the camera in?

[NahLaterz]

Have you checked with the stadium to make sure you'll be allowed to take the camera in?

yeah...

http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/guests/guestInfo.cfm

Cameras

Compact Cameras (still only) are permitted inside Cowboys Stadium as long as their use does not interfere with the game or other guests' enjoyment of the event. Tripods, monopods and cameras with lens' longer than 3" (detachable or non-detachable) will NOT be permitted into Cowboys Stadium. Video cameras and video recording of events at Cowboys Stadium is prohibited

[DC Fan]

This camera came with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens. I considered renting a telephoto lens, but that looks less likely as the hours go by. Any advice on what settings to shoot on? I honestly have no clue...

Here's a picture from the stands at a football game from pretty much the same location you mentioned.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20090919a0449.jpg

Problem is, it came from a lens set at 400mm. Something at 55mm on the long end will be far short of getting a usefully framed image. The smallest lens that would have a useful focal length for football from the stands would be one of the 18-200mm superzooms, which would be barely short enough when retracted to meet the length limits.

For an indoor game, the main settings are manual white balance and high ISO - around 800-3200 - to get a useful shutter speed.

[NahLaterz]

I guess you're basically telling me not to bother with it taking it at all....

[Gatorboy]

If it were me, I'd leave the camera home and just enjoy the game.

[NahLaterz]

If it were me, I'd leave the camera home and just enjoy the game.

yeah... I thought about it... might just take the compact Canon SD1000 I have

[Sibil]

Cameras

Compact Cameras (still only) are permitted inside Cowboys Stadium as long as their use does not interfere with the game or other guests' enjoyment of the event. Tripods, monopods and cameras with lens' longer than 3" (detachable or non-detachable) will NOT be permitted into Cowboys Stadium. Video cameras and video recording of events at Cowboys Stadium is prohibited
Most point and shoot cameras can take video these days. How does that play into "no video recording" rule?

[wpman]

My experience has been that because these pro teams have been as vigilant as possible about protecting their images, trademarks, copyrights, etc., they go after guys bringing in "pro quality" photo/video equipment.

Even though a lot of "point and shoot" cameras can shoot video, the various pro teams figure the resulting video quality is far short of "broadcast quality".

I always take some type of small camera to games whenever I go. I might not be able to capture much action on the field, but there's always something happening outside the venue and in the areas wherever you may pass through.

I wouldn't try to rent a 70-200 L lens or a 300 or 400mm. I suspect the folks watching the gates are going to red flag a big white Canon lens. The potential hassle isn't worth the risk.

[clarence]

I wouldn't try to rent a 70-200 L lens or a 300 or 400mm. I suspect the folks watching the gates are going to red flag a big white Canon lens. The potential hassle isn't worth the risk.

Plus those lenses would exceed the published 3" limit which the OP posted above.

Even with good seats, the 18-55 kit lens will be a bit wide. If I had to work with the 3" limit with my lenses, I'd probably take the 85/1.8 and a 2x TC.

[clarence]

Since you're in DC, check out Penn Camera's lens rentals on E St...
http://www.penncamera.com/Rental.html

Fri-Mon rental of the 85/1.8 is only $25
The 1.4x or 2x converters are only $18

[NahLaterz]

Well... I'm back. Here are the results. I shot over 500 pics, but took about 100 of the best ones. Still getting used to the camera, but had a lot of fun shooting during the game and around events before and after

Slideshow http://www.flickr.com/photos/9578077@N07/sets/72157623064631749/show/

Pic set http://www.flickr.com/photos/9578077@N07/sets/72157623064631749/

a few assorted pics that are in the gallery links above...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/4265820127_50a7bf3f27_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4265821343_79b2ecedeb_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4265821921_bccfb682ac_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4265823817_7642877087_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4266576712_71419c419a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4266578004_3d37f9bbdf_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4266578144_42a14b0256_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2722/4265832497_beb1cc67d2_b.jpg

[stsva]

You got some nice shots. The shooting data on one of the Flickr shots showed 55mm, so I'm assuming you used your kit lens. Considering how the game turned out, taking the camera, especially to get all those nice crowd and "stadium ambience" shots, was probably a good idea.

[neilwood32]

Nice work - considering the lack of focal length. Just shows its not gear that matters!