Baseball photographers, I need some advice.

Would a Canon 50D and the EF 70-200 f/4L be enough to get some good shots of the players as long as you were on or near the front row along the first or third baseline?

Granted, it would be great to have the 1D Mk IV's 10fps, but would the 50D's 6.3fps be enough? Also, once the sun goes down and the lights come on at the field, would the f/4 aperture have trouble getting a good exposure?

Thanks in advance

Are you talking little league ... MLB?

For most of the pitcher / batter shots even 10fps wont help much getting the hit. Gotta get try to get in one click or have some good luck.

MiLB... aka Minor League Baseball. We have a Single A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox in town. I was going to see if I could get on the field (or in the camera box if they have one) to see if I could get some good shots.

SG

I think you should be able to get some shots assuming you have a lot of light. Keep in mind that you'll probably have to do a bit of cropping in post.

Baseball images from a front-row seat outside of third base.

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FlipsidE wrote in post #13230226
MiLB... aka Minor League Baseball. We have a Single A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox in town. I was going to see if I could get on the field (or in the camera box if they have one) to see if I could get some good shots.

SG

Have you ever shot baseball before? What makes you think you'll get field access? Do you work for a newspaper or wire service?

DC Fan,

What camera were you using for the above photos?

toadhunter911 wrote in post #13231778
Have you ever shot baseball before? What makes you think you'll get field access? Do you work for a newspaper or wire service?

Hence the, "I was going to see if I could get on the field, etc." No, no press pass yet. But, ya gotta start somewhere. The unfortunate part is that the park where these guys play has mesh up from first base to third base.

But, if I were to go to an MLB rather than MiLB game, the screen only covers the area right behind the plate meaning that if I sat on the first base line, I should have a very good view.

You don't start by getting a press pass. You start by being press.
Let's not sugar coat this; You won't be getting a press/media photo pass to shoot anything MiLB or above... unless you are with the press/media, and even then, they don't just give out passes like candy on Halloween.

There are numerous threads on here discussing this very topic, and the responses are all the same (because it's the truth). I understand this is not your original topic for this thread, so I won't go into it any more.

MiLB teams should not be letting FWC's on the field, MLB writes their credential agreement and knowing the team photographer there - and other working pros that shoot there - my guess is they wouldn't be too happy with you getting a credential just because you don't want to shoot through the net, which btw takes nothing away from IQ if you do it right so it's not an excuse.

Now onto the actual question, 6.3 fps is fine for what you want - fps is a tool photographers sometimes use to get peak action shots but it is not something they use all the time. Less fps helps you learn timing, remember having 1fps with film and had no trouble starting out. The 70-200 f/4 will not be of much reach for many angles though and you'll be limited big time depending on the park. Batters, corner infields, and maybe pitchers would be fine. F/4 is going to be a problem, MiLB parks do not offer good light 99.9% of the time - especially at that level.

I started with 70-200 2.8 (after a kit lens like DC) and the reach was just not good for the MiLB parks I shot at...and it was 3 fps I do believe. Can start there but you'll want more.

Also have to remember that professional baseball means you're limited in what you can do with the photos, personal usage is fine, but selling prints is a huge no-no.

ewheeler20 wrote in post #13232306
There are numerous threads on here discussing this very topic, and the responses are all the same (because it's the truth).

Can someone please direct me to these threads? I'd like to read up on this. I have been advised by a few press photographers to continue to work to get into these sporting events in order to build my portfolio, this way I can apply with the media with an impressive work and have a better chance of getting hired by them.

https://photography-on-the.net …1250&highlight=​press+pass

https://photography-on-the.net …0265&highlight=​press+pass

https://photography-on-the.net …8163&highlight=​press+pass

https://photography-on-the.net …1448&highlight=​press+pass

You're gonna find your reach with a 70-200 is pretty limited, even if you get seats on the wall between home plate and first/third base. If you restrict yourself to the side of the infield you're on, maybe the batter and home plate (if you're close enough) you'll do OK - otherwise you're gonna have to crop a lot, which can be tough on image quality.

Back in the day, when I was starting out, my day job was a couple miles from an unaffiliated A-league team, and I'd often wander over to their home games after workdays, or after work on Saturday morning. I'd bring my camera and new-at-the-time Sigma 120-300 and ask for a seat on the wall behind or just to the side of the dugout. They got to know me, and would usually try to accommodate my request as best as they could. However, I was only doing this for my own use and practice. The images stayed with me, and the only "use" they saw was a couple made it into my portfolio.

I'd see a ballgame (always a good thing), have a hot dog and a beer (something I can no longer do when working a baseball game…sad face) and get to work on my baseball skills…all for about $20. Not too shabby.

FWIW I shoot on big-kid's diamonds with a 400, sometimes with a 1.4X TC (for outfield) and have a 70-200 on my second body, for plays at the closest bases, and I am normally right on the wall in the photo wells.

Thanks dwarrenr, I've read all of them with interests.
So basically I am on the right track in keeping with the photographers on the sidelines, as well as this web site, if I continue to shoot local high school events, and the occasional college event that I am invited to help shoot with a local photographer, and build my portfolio up to where I can comfortably apply with the local media. You all are not discouraging us "FWC's" from advancing in the field, your just wanting us to do it the correct way, right?

iunlock wrote in post #13268809
Thanks dwarrenr, I've read all of them with interests.
So basically I am on the right track in keeping with the photographers on the sidelines, as well as this web site, if I continue to shoot local high school events, and the occasional college event that I am invited to help shoot with a local photographer, and build my portfolio up to where I can comfortably apply with the local media. You all are not discouraging us "FWC's" from advancing in the field, your just wanting us to do it the correct way, right?

I'm not trying discourage any one in advancing in what ever field they want to go to. But with sportshooting you have to pay your dues, learn the craft of shooting sports and make the right contacts. I started out as an amateur back in the late 70's. Shot for the school year book in the early 80's. Other then that did very little sports until my oldest got into High School five years ago. One thing lead to another and now shoot freelance for a couple of small town newspapers. Since it's a side job, chances are I'll never shoot DI or above. That's for the full timers with the AP/Getty. Sure I could shoot for Gannett, but I can make more money shooting high school, with out the hassle.