Our gym too small for a 300 f/2.8...

[jhowdy]

Not sure I will be able to get much use out of my new purchase in our gym for volleyball. Came in at the end of the middle school game and spent some time trying to the 300 while the varsity practiced. Positioned at the top of the bleachers in the far corner to get anything in the frame. Me and the 85 f/1.8 remain best friends.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

[elrey2375]

looks like it will work for tight photos though. Nice color and sharpness.

[PhotoGeek]

Try a 135 f2.

It will become a better friend than your 85.

[Biffbradford]

Wanna sell it?

[jhowdy]

Thank you, hopefully I can get a few of those wow images with it.

I would love to add the 135 to my small collection for sure, maybe for next season.

Can't sell it yet, hasn't been in the house 24 hours! Just an old beat up non IS anyway...it's headed for the playing fields covered in grass.

[Zivnuska]

Framing volleyball images with a 300 is exponentially tougher than with an 85. Depending on the size of your gym and whether or not you are using a crop camera, it can be super tough. The shots you did get are very nice image quality. Every sports shooter should have a 70-200 f/2.8 in his arsenal. My suggestion is to use that lens for some 'safety shots' (the 135 is also a wonderful lens) and then use the 300 to get those tight "WOW" shots.

BTW, #2, #3, and #5 are well framed. Don't be afraid to shoot the back row with the 300. Keep taking some shots with the 300. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Long focal lengths can be frustrating but when you nail the shot, life is very, very good!

Incidentally, I've always enjoyed a gallery of shots of an event where the photographer uses a variety of focal lengths. Take a look at how SI covers a big basketball game. There will be several shots with assorted focal lengths from a variety of angles. That can be done in volleyball too!

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?t=1091324

[jhowdy]

Phil I found that link of yours awhile back and bookmarked it, great info. Not only did I have lens envy reading the post, I had gym envy. I will continue to work it out, just wish I had about 10 more feet either on the perimeter or vertically. I need to get my lights set-up and shoot it again to see what it will really do with some good light behind it as well.

[elrey2375]

Originally Posted by jhowdy

Thank you, hopefully I can get a few of those wow images with it.

I would love to add the 135 to my small collection for sure, maybe for next season.

Can't sell it yet, hasn't been in the house 24 hours! Just an old beat up non IS anyway...it's headed for the playing fields covered in grass.

Don't knock the old ones, they can still kick out pin-sharp images all day long

[jhowdy]

Originally Posted by elrey2375

Don't knock the old ones, they can still kick out pin-sharp images all day long

That's what I'm counting on.

[arich]

Beat up 300's are the best, pretty much the best value glass you can by. I like the tightness of the shots, I definitely enjoy the 300 for cross-court basketball but I can see where it could become tricky with volleyball

[RSB]

Originally Posted by elrey2375

Don't knock the old ones, they can still kick out pin-sharp images all day long

I'll second that. I have a 15 year old 300 f2.8 that is still providing me with amazing images.

[NASS Photo]

Originally Posted by elrey2375

Don't knock the old ones, they can still kick out pin-sharp images all day long

My 85mm is my most used/oldest lens that I have. New is not always better.