High School Hoops

Hopping on my pal RonnieA's post, p/u'd a 85 1.8 the other day and really liking the focal length. I shoot along the baseline and been using the 135L and 35L. Felt the 135L was a bit too long and the 35L on the short side. I found the 85 to be ideal in length and lightning fast AF.

Hey Ronnie - Hope to see you on Friday. Should be a good game

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Fabulous photos!! They are crisp and clean and the colors pop!! Well done!

I think I'm gonna have to start using my 85 1.8 a little more often...

These are fantastic photos! Could you answer a few questions? First, are you shooting in burst mode for these shots? Second, I can't believe how well exposed the pictures are. I have shot a few basketball games this month (with f2.8 lenses) and I am always having to underexpose my shots in order to get a good shutter speed (1/500). I shoot in RAW then increase exposure with DPP on the computer. Were the first few pictures taken in a extemely well lighted gym? Or are they well exposed because of the f1.8 aperture? Also, did you use al servo auto focus, or did you spot focus manually? Any post processing? The focus is so sharp. I have used the 85f1.8 before, but on my 30D I had a low hit rate for in focus shots. And I have found that the narrow depth of field at 1.8 makes it even more difficult to get in focus shots. But yours are perfect! Overall, I'm frustrated by the big drop in my hit rate (for in focus shots) going from outdoor football to indoor basketball. Your shots are outstanding and represent what I would like to achieve.
Thanks!

Man, you gotta LOVE the 85 1.8! Best basketball lens made....IMHO...

Flo wrote in post #4492388
Fabulous photos!! They are crisp and clean and the colors pop!! Well done!

Thank you Gail.

ChefDave wrote in post #4492488
I think I'm gonna have to start using my 85 1.8 a little more often...

It's a great performer for the price.

superdiver wrote in post #4492694
Man, you gotta LOVE the 85 1.8! Best basketball lens made....IMHO...

Equally as fast in AF IMHO as my 135L and 35L. I'ev been so pleased with the last two games I've shot. Thanks SD

STONEBLUE wrote in post #4492497
These are fantastic photos! Could you answer a few questions? First, are you shooting in burst mode for these shots? Second, I can't believe how well exposed the pictures are. I have shot a few basketball games this month (with f2.8 lenses) and I am always having to underexpose my shots in order to get a good shutter speed (1/500). I shoot in RAW then increase exposure with DPP on the computer. Were the first few pictures taken in a extemely well lighted gym? Or are they well exposed because of the f1.8 aperture? Also, did you use al servo auto focus, or did you spot focus manually? Any post processing? The focus is so sharp. I have used the 85f1.8 before, but on my 30D I had a low hit rate for in focus shots. And I have found that the narrow depth of field at 1.8 makes it even more difficult to get in focus shots. But yours are perfect! Overall, I'm frustrated by the big drop in my hit rate (for in focus shots) going from outdoor football to indoor basketball. Your shots are outstanding and represent what I would like to achieve.
Thanks!

Thanks StoneB, glad you liked them.

Yes, I do shoot in burst mode on my Mark III and settle in around ISO 1600-2000 depending on conditions at gym. I always shoot RAW, in manual and try to hover around 1/500th & wide open. Haven't shot at f2.8 and go with faster glass. I'll set a custom WB with an expodisc and take a couple of tests shots before the game to get prepared.

I try to keep my PP fairly simple so I don't go blind in front of my computer . Run through Noise Ninja, adjustments in ACR, a bit of USM and I'm done . No fuss....no muss lol.

Trust me, not all of the shots are keepers and I share the same frustration each outing. A great deal of what's helped me is practice and preparing myself before the shoot. Most of all though, I have fun and know well in advance that I'll have my share of misses too lol.

Very good pictures. The 85mm f 1.8 is proving to be a top lens for indoor sport, as well as being a very good lens for portrait work.

Nice shots, Peter. See you Friday night; can't wait to hear the MIII hum.

khall wrote in post #4495369
Very good pictures. The 85mm f 1.8 is proving to be a top lens for indoor sport, as well as being a very good lens for portrait work.

Thanks, much apperciated. For the price, the 85 1.8 is hard to beat . I have the 85 1.2 I use for portraits and that's a slug. Sports is out of the question lol.

RonnieA wrote in post #4495548
Nice shots, Peter. See you Friday night; can't wait to hear the MIII hum.

Mark III might be missing in action tomorrow. I'm a strong lean to send it back in for the sub-mirror fix. My trusty portrait/landscape warrior, the 5D will be forced into duty

Peter G - I have the 85 1.8 and recently purchased the 85 1.2 and use it for HS Basketball and have never taken better shots. I have not had any problems with the AF speed using the MkIII

Steve

Redfish wrote in post #4499648
Peter G - I have the 85 1.8 and recently purchased the 85 1.2 and use it for HS Basketball and have never taken better shots. I have not had any problems with the AF speed using the MkIII

Steve

Interesting, first I've really heard of the 85L being used for sports. Lowlight, portraiture and static objects of course, but nailing focus in a sporting event I find to be problematic. The 85L is a great lens don't get me wrong, but moving those big hunks of glass is by no means snappy. I've found the 85 1.8 to be nearly on par with the 135L & 35L with snap fire AF.

Cheers