Boxing - I hope You Guys Are RIGHT!

[HU17dotNET]

Ok I just looked through a few threads and as a result shelled out some harded earn cash on a lens - 85mm f2.8

I think it should help shoot ringside as my favourite lens 70/200 is just to clumbsy for the job.

[Huskers69]

85 1.8 ?? It's a Great lens !!!

[HU17dotNET]

was not badly priced, I need something better then I have to overcome the poor lighting in amateur boxing

[SnapLocally.com]

Sorry, I don't recommend this lens.

[crcal]

I might be going to watch my brother box this weekend. My 85mm 1.8 is my choice. It's excellent in gyms when I take pictures of indoor soccer.

[zelseman]

Sorry, I don't recommend this lens.
Combat sports master: care to explain why? Too tight?

[SnapLocally.com]

Yeah, if this is your only/primary lens, you're going to have a bad night.

[HU17dotNET]

Yeah, if this is your only/primary lens, you're going to have a bad night.

Prob gong to have lots of bad nights till I get it right, out of interest, in a badly lit sports hall what would you choose to pluck out of your bag?

I have two lens that I like to use though neither really works well for the job,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NqUuz_RHT0

that video is from the event.

I am constantly trying to practise indoors, today I will be off to do some more showjumping, which again is inside under unnatural light, the pictures are ok at best so far hence I keep going back and try different things.

Speed & Light I guess are my issues and the only way I understand they can be solved is to let more in or add more light, with horses I can't add any light.

[HU17dotNET]

Combat sports master: care to explain why? Too tight?

Ha ha - thinking about it he is right of course -

I used a 70 - 200 and that was way too tight, DOH! so of course this is as bad, as Im closer full stop with no room for movement!!!

[SnapLocally.com]

Yeah, it's really just a basic math problem. I understand the need for primes, but 85mm with a 1.6x crop factor will bring you to an equivalent of a 135mm, and unless you're shooting at least 10 feet away from the ring this focal length is going to give you problems, and being back that far is going to give you more ropes than fighters.

Seeing the video that you posted, I actually like that lighting. Sure, it's not particularly bright, but it's very evenly illuminated with a slight fall off into the corners. Shooting with the 7D (or even with the 40D) in that venue can produce some very nice results, though you may have to compensate for that nasty red ring canvas- I think blue produces a much nicer "glow".

[syphlix]

i agree... it's way too long...

i'd rather have a wide to mid type zoom or if i was shooting prime i'd err on the wide side... just my 2c

[DHMN]

I would definitely follow any advice on shooting boxing if you've seen his shots!

[HU17dotNET]

OK lens arrived this morning gave me wood (sorry to be crude) will shoot have basketball this afternoon so will use this for some of the match just to get the feel of it, will pop some pics on when i get back in about 5 hours :)