2010-2011 Gymnastics Thread

Looking at these shots, gymnastics shooters could really benefit from the 7D with good ISO performance and 8 fps shooting to get peak action shots of the kids.

dave

snyderman wrote in post #11548585
Looking at these shots, gymnastics shooters could really benefit from the 7D with good ISO performance and 8 fps shooting to get peak action shots of the kids.

dave

I would love a 7D, but with two daughters in gymnastics it will have to wait.

felixapproach wrote in post #11549094
I would love a 7D, but with two daughters in gymnastics it will have to wait.

Well, I have one daughter in gymnastics and I can't really imagine shelling out for two ( or three like some do). Really expensive, extreme sport. But it keeps them from hanging out at the mall.
-russ

I dream about getting a 40D let alone the 7D :P Up next is going to be the 85mm f1.8 hopefully that will be bit better, at least in auto focus speed.

metall wrote in post #11550018
I dream about getting a 40D let alone the 7D :P Up next is going to be the 85mm f1.8 hopefully that will be bit better, at least in auto focus speed.

I think the 85mm f1.8 is a great lens on any body.

Hmmmm... haven't shot gymnastics since 2007, when the step-daughter last competed... Was shooting a 20D then.... step-daughter is now coaching... might have to tag along to her next meet...

metall wrote in post #11550018
Up next is going to be the 85mm f1.8 hopefully that will be bit better, at least in auto focus speed.

The 85 1.8 is an excellent gymnastics lens. I use the 135 too, but it's a little long for some places. The 85 is a nice length, with fast accurate focus. I think a Sigma 50 is next on my list.

The 85 @ f/2.8 on my MK3.

Fligi7 wrote in post #11547778
Well, I have the same 450D and I'm needing to make that move to the 7D for better ISO performance and fps. I'm sure you've considered this as well.

People say this all the time about all different kinds of photography... but gymnastics is definitely one sport that really doesn't need high fps. But it DOES need extremely high ISO capability. Most of the gymnastics I've shot has been at ISO 3200 - 12,800 and I'm still lucky to get 1/500 at F2. But I never shoot rapid fire for gymnastics. It really is easier to just time the shots for this sport.

edit... BTW - even WITH permission you should never use flash for gymnastics. For some "setup" stuff I've done I put a big white sheet on a raised mat under the beam but anything more than that is a potentially dangerous distraction for the kids.

That first photo is awesome cwood! I'm going to have to try that angle at the next meet.

cwood wrote in post #11556221
People say this all the time about all different kinds of photography... but gymnastics is definitely one sport that really doesn't need high fps. But it DOES need extremely high ISO capability. Most of the gymnastics I've shot has been at ISO 3200 - 12,800 and I'm still lucky to get 1/500 at F2. But I never shoot rapid fire for gymnastics. It really is easier to just time the shots for this sport.

<snip>

Yep.. eventually learned that it's all about timing your shots!

cwood wrote in post #11556221
People say this all the time about all different kinds of photography... but gymnastics is definitely one sport that really doesn't need high fps. But it DOES need extremely high ISO capability. Most of the gymnastics I've shot has been at ISO 3200 - 12,800 and I'm still lucky to get 1/500 at F2. But I never shoot rapid fire for gymnastics. It really is easier to just time the shots for this sport.

Sure, timing shots is beneficial if you know exactly what you're looking for and only need one or two shots of a move or sequence. On the flip side, timing a shot as compared to blasting several frames during a move or sequence is a lot less likely to net you the one shot you didn't expect - like a missed grip, slip, or something else out of the ordinary. Personally, I see it as a win-win if you time the shot and can get high fps blasts during it to get you the shot you timed as well as others you might be able to use.

I'm really liking your shots you've put up, though.

Hey guys.... Good see Gymnastics shots again. Been awhile for me. Mind if I add a little bit?

Lacks_focus wrote in post #11551977
The 85 1.8 is an excellent gymnastics lens. I use the 135 too, but it's a little long for some places. The 85 is a nice length, with fast accurate focus. I think a Sigma 50 is next on my list.

Of all the lenses I have the 85 f1.8 is my favorite. It is fast, sharp, contrasty and light weight. I may just paint a red ring around the front of the barrel

cwood wrote in post #11556221
People say this all the time about all different kinds of photography... but gymnastics is definitely one sport that really doesn't need high fps. But it DOES need extremely high ISO capability. Most of the gymnastics I've shot has been at ISO 3200 - 12,800 and I'm still lucky to get 1/500 at F2. But I never shoot rapid fire for gymnastics. It really is easier to just time the shots for this sport.

fishingjts wrote in post #11557036
Yep.. eventually learned that it's all about timing your shots!

Chasing the high ISO requirement is a pain. No flash and poorly lit gyms leads a guy to buy some pretty expensive cameras, lenses & software....not to mention PP time. But it is required so you just do it.

Timing a shot is best in any sports photography setting. You really need to understand the sporting event you are shooting and the details of the game / event. Just blasting away will not get you peak action. I rarely shoot more than three frame bursts. But I grew up shooting football & basketball with 36 exposure rolls of film so you learn to pick & choose early.

Fligi7 wrote in post #11564201
Sure, timing shots is beneficial if you know exactly what you're looking for and only need one or two shots of a move or sequence. On the flip side, timing a shot as compared to blasting several frames during a move or sequence is a lot less likely to net you the one shot you didn't expect - like a missed grip, slip, or something else out of the ordinary. Personally, I see it as a win-win if you time the shot and can get high fps blasts during it to get you the shot you timed as well as others you might be able to use.

Getting lucky versus knowing what to look for.

Sorry I do not have any pictures to post. My daughter is done with gymnastics...but I will be at an event in February at the request of one of her old teammates. Hopefully I can post a couple after the event.

GBRandy wrote in post #11584151
Getting lucky versus knowing what to look for.

Not at all, actually. It's not a "versus" in any way. It is a combined effort of knowing what to look for and also shooting burst to catch what you didn't expect.

Fligi7 wrote in post #11585178
Not at all, actually. It's not a "versus" in any way. It is a combined effort of knowing what to look for and also shooting burst to catch what you didn't expect.

Not to mention the tendency of both the 40D and the 7D in Servo autofocus to not nail each frame. Even on static shots (i.e. stop moves on the UB, BB, FX) I typically shoot a two-shot burst since the DOF you have using an f/2 lens at typical subject distances isn't more than 0.5m and can be less, and one frame will usually have better focus than the other. When I have the opportunity to shoot the VT, I take a three/four shot burst as they come over the table, or, when shooting a flipping vault, after they block (this is after tracking them down the runway using back button focus).
-russ

Fligi7 wrote in post #11585178
Not at all, actually. It's not a "versus" in any way. It is a combined effort of knowing what to look for and also shooting burst to catch what you didn't expect.

russbecker wrote in post #11585281
Not to mention the tendency of both the 40D and the 7D in Servo autofocus to not nail each frame. Even on static shots (i.e. stop moves on the UB, BB, FX) I typically shoot a two-shot burst since the DOF you have using an f/2 lens at typical subject distances isn't more than 0.5m and can be less, and one frame will usually have better focus than the other. When I have the opportunity to shoot the VT, I take a three/four shot burst as they come over the table, or, when shooting a flipping vault, after they block (this is after tracking them down the runway using back button focus).
-russ

OK....... 3 - 4 shot bursts are one thing. I have seen guys at some of my softball games rattle off 15 shots or more until the buffer is full

Knowing the sport and when to shot is far more productive than rattling away at 7, 9 or in my case 11 FPS.....