Tips for Night Time Football (Soccer) Pictures

[Spencerj]

Hey all, Can anyone give me some general tips for Night Time Soccer (Footy) Pictures, I am covering a Ryman Premier League game tonight and the floodlights suck, Ive got a an EOS 350D and Sigma 55-200mm lens. thanks all!

[MDJAK]

What's the aperture of that lens? If the lighting isn't good, you're probably SOL.

You could try a flash if the player's don't mind, but it would have to be close in pics.

I shot a swim meet yesterday indoors in lousy light with a flash and my canon 70-200 f2.8 IS in TV mode at 250 with the iso at 1600. Got some great shots.

Once the sun set, however, and was no longer adding to the light through the side windows of the indoor pool, f2.8 was blinking like crazy in the viewfinder. It was just about time to put away the camera.

[Spencerj]

Originally Posted by MDJAK

What's the aperture of that lens? If the lighting isn't good, you're probably SOL.

You could try a flash if the player's don't mind, but it would have to be close in pics.

I shot a swim meet yesterday indoors in lousy light with a flash and my canon 70-200 f2.8 IS in TV mode at 250 with the iso at 1600. Got some great shots.

Once the sun set, however, and was no longer adding to the light through the side windows of the indoor pool, f2.8 was blinking like crazy in the viewfinder. It was just about time to put away the camera.

Thanks for the reply, The lens is f4-5.6 should of said, Sorry. BTW whats SOL? Ill have to check with the club to see if they mind flash I guess, Should I check with the referee as well do you think?

[Andy_T]

Spencer,

as brutal as it sounds, my advice would be not to do it (at least not with this equipment).
It is no great secret why low light sports like soccer are considered the 'kings' discipline in sports shooting that demand not just perfect technique, but also the most expensive glass ... the camera can't get the required shutter speed otherwise.

I assume that your Sigma 55-200 lens would provide good sharp images at the 200 mm end when used at f/8.0 ... and this is nowhere near the aperture you will need to get sharp images at night. Also, the 350D only goes to 1600 ISO, so that option is not available either.

Get a fast and inexpensive medium length lens like the Canon EF 85/1.8 (350$). Granted, it will be short, but the f/1.8 will be what you need to get sharp images. That's about 16 times the light (and thus shutter speed) you get at f/8.

Best regards,
Andy

[Spencerj]

Originally Posted by Andythaler

Spencer,

as brutal as it sounds, my advice would be not to do it (at least not with this equipment).
It is no great secret why low light sports like soccer are considered the 'kings' discipline in sports shooting that demand not just perfect technique, but also the most expensive glass ... the camera can't get the required shutter speed otherwise.

I assume that your Sigma 55-200 lens would provide good sharp images at the 200 mm end when used at f/8.0 ... and this is nowhere near the aperture you will need to get sharp images at night. Also, the 350D only goes to 1600 ISO, so that option is not available either.

Get a fast and inexpensive medium length lens like the Canon EF 85/1.8 (350$). Granted, it will be short, but the f/1.8 will be what you need to get sharp images. That's about 16 times the light (and thus shutter speed) you get at f/8.

Best regards,
Andy

Thanks Andy, I know your right but at the moment I just can't afford it (its on my xmas list lol) so I have I to struggle by until then, I have covered a couple of games (I take photographs for the programme and the local paper) and there were a few usuable ones, I think all I can do is crank the ISO up to the max and fire off a few hundred shots of fairly static situations such as throw ins etc and hopefully get something we can use. Thanks Andy...

[MDJAK]

Originally Posted by Spencerj

Thanks for the reply, The lens is f4-5.6 should of said, Sorry. BTW whats SOL? Ill have to check with the club to see if they mind flash I guess, Should I check with the referee as well do you think?

SOL = Sh*t out of luck.

Static situations is exactly what I shoot for when the light is low and the shutter speed isn't what I'd like it to be.

[Spencerj]

Originally Posted by MDJAK

SOL = Sh*t out of luck.

Static situations is exactly what I shoot for when the light is low and the shutter speed isn't what I'd like it to be.

ahhh right, LOL, Yeah I guess youre right.... can i just say this is the most helpful and pleasant forums ive been on. I actually feel I can ask a question without getting laughed at, thanks all... if any of you guys have a sony PSP check out my forums and ill make you welcome. Links in my profile.

Spencer

[Andy_T]

Spencer,

you might also just get the 75$ 50/1.8 lens.
Great and really sharp when used at f/2.2-f/2.5 ... and very fast.
Focus is a bit slow for fast action, though, so static situations would not be bad with this one, either.
Only other disadvantage is that you have to get closer to the action.

Other possiblity might be to shoot RAW, deliberately underexpose and boost the images in post-processing.

Best regards,
Andy