random sports photography question

Just went to see a rugby match under floodlights with my EOS 350d and kit lens, and with it "zoomed in" at the 55mm end of the lens, on ISO 800 and with a large aperture I was still barely able to get a workable 1/20 or 1/30 shutter speed. Photos still came out rather blurred and horribly grainy

Now, there were a few pro photographers there - slightly closer to the action, but with proper, long lenses. The long lenses mean they'd be even worse off for light, right? So how on earth could they be managing to get any decent photos at all?

I'm still new to this photography lark, I'm not entirely sure what I'm going on about. But I don't see how they could work when I was having enough trouble with a relatively wide lens.

right, well, they will be using f/2.8 lenses, prob 300 or 400 f/2.8. thats two stops more than your kit lens at 55mm. also, dont be afraid to shoot at ISO 1600, the 350d handles noise pretty well. so... thats another stop, which puts them at at least 1/200s. also, when taking wide shots your meter could be fooled, as you're wanting to expose for the players, not the dark stands behind. so you could also be overexposing.

you can see how a few extra stops of light can really help out only problem is they come at a hefty price:S

Aah, fair enough. Knew there'd be a rational explanation.

Only thing is - they got hideously muddy on the sidelines, and I just got a wet arse from the seats ^^

Rawling wrote in post #2682702
Aah, fair enough. Knew there'd be a rational explanation.

Only thing is - they got hideously muddy on the sidelines, and I just got a wet arse from the seats ^^

the muds all part of the fun

Agreed, thats the closest you can get to the action without playing the sport. Dirt, mud, flying rocks, paintballs traveling at mach speed, etc..

Zilly wrote in post #2686291
the muds all part of the fun

milleker wrote in post #2686855
Agreed, thats the closest you can get to the action without playing the sport. Dirt, mud, flying rocks, paintballs traveling at mach speed, etc..

you forgot the rocks from jets cars being thrown out at 80 mph and at 150F all good fun