College basketball with the nifty fifty

[mattyv53]

Here are a couple of shots I took a couple of nights ago at a college game with my Canon t1i and a 50mm f1.8. All shots were at ISO 3200 and shutter speed at 1/640, and have not been processed except to run them through Neat Image on the basic settings for a little noise reduction. C&C welcome.

#1
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a319/daddyv53/SMU%20basketball%20v%20Tulsa%20Jan%2013%202010/IMG_1630_filtered.jpg?t=1263573373
#2
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a319/daddyv53/SMU%20basketball%20v%20Tulsa%20Jan%2013%202010/IMG_1801_filtered.jpg?t=1263573447
#3
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a319/daddyv53/SMU%20basketball%20v%20Tulsa%20Jan%2013%202010/IMG_1845_filtered.jpg?t=1263573612
#4
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a319/daddyv53/SMU%20basketball%20v%20Tulsa%20Jan%2013%202010/IMG_1839_filtered.jpg?t=1263573664
#5
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a319/daddyv53/SMU%20basketball%20v%20Tulsa%20Jan%2013%202010/IMG_1733_filtered.jpg?t=1263573712
#6
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a319/daddyv53/SMU%20basketball%20v%20Tulsa%20Jan%2013%202010/IMG_1654_filtered.jpg?t=1263573765

[Zivnuska]

I think you've done very well with an economical lens!

[Peter Camyre]

I couldn't agree more! Nice shots for that lens.

[Mirarch4960]

Well done!! The shots looks nice and clear.

[professorman]

Nice shots with the lens. How was the focusing for doing sports? Did you have a lot of rejects because of mis-focus or did it work well enough?

[mattyv53]

I have actually had a lot of good luck using this lens lately. I used to get very frustrated when I tried to use this lens, but I haven't had nearly as many OOF shots as I used to. Maybe I am finally starting to learn how to use his lens. I started out trying to shoot is at 1.8, but have found that it works much better for me at 2.5. I do end up pre focusing a lot on players around the basket so it doesn't have as much work to do when someone starts coming that way.

[professorman]

Oh, okay. I am curious why do you use the nifty fifty over the 70-200 f/2.8L? Is it "just to use it" or do you actually prefer using it?
I just picked up the 70-200 f/2.8 and want to help subsidize the cost by selling my 50 f/1.4 since the 70-200 would give a similar range for me.

[mattyv53]

I had the 70-200 on my 40D, but also shot some with the 50mm on my t1i. I love the 70-200 for basketball and get some great shots with it. I just wanted to put these up to show what the good old nifty fifty can do. I also just got a new 24-70L yesterday and am looking forward to trying it out.

[professorman]

I had the 70-200 on my 40D, but also shot some with the 50mm on my t1i. I love the 70-200 for basketball and get some great shots with it. I just wanted to put these up to show what the good old nifty fifty can do. I also just got a new 24-70L yesterday and am looking forward to trying it out.

Oh, okay. Cool. Yes, I definitely like seeing the nifty at work, since so many people have crap to say about it. I plan to pick up another one when I sell my 50 f/1.4. If its one thing that got me addicted, it was the Nifty.

[zelseman]

How did SMU handle TU? I hear they are actually pretty solid this year.
Good shots. Its nice to see what the 50 can do in the right hands.

[mattyv53]

SMU lost. I think the final score was 63-56. Neither team was very impressive in this one.

[Lumpy8]

nice captures

[kodath]

Great pictures!

[frameworks]

Nice job

[Ed.Ngai]

great job, amazing what the lens can do for its price.

[lauderdalems]

I just replaced my 85 1.8 with the 24-70L for basketball and like it much better (even if it is heavier). That and the 70-200 2.8 are the only lens I now use for BB. My biggest problem is gym lights as I shoot 3200 ISO at 400ss

[lennyp06]

Nice captures! Looks like a sellout crowd ;)

[SquareOne]

The expression on 4 is great! The nifty/50 is the farthest thing from a sports lens, decent reach on a crop sensor and a fast lens, but not the lens I think of when I think of "Sports" photography! You did very well with the lens and camera you were using! Kudos.

[DeejayKnight]

Those are just awesome shots! I was thinking of picking up a XSi & a nifty fifty, but that quality combined with the higher buffer makes me consider a T1i again, haha.

Well done!