First time on sidelines

Hi everyone. I'm getting my first opportunity to shoot on the sidelines for a pretty big playoff football game this Saturday afternoon (2:00). I'm shooting with a 50D, 24-70L, 70-200L (non-IS) and a monopod. Any tips, advice, settings you guys can give me that I might overlook? I also have the 1.4x extender - will I need it? Forecast is cloudy with a chance of rain. Thanks in advance.

Pat

Cloudy is good. If rainy carry a plastic bag that will cover your camera. Every thing else is just photography. You need to have a fast shutter speed for the action. What camera will you be using?

I'm using a 50D (and may have a 40D to use with the 24-70). I do have a rainsleeve that I'll be bringing just in case it does rain.

You should note that the players that are not in the game will always be in the way. So you have to work around them and anticipate where you want to be before the action starts. Shoot the practice period it will give you a good feel for the lens you will choose.

mrgooch wrote in post #13398973
You should note that the players that are not in the game will always be in the way. So you have to work around them.

Players and coaches are only allowed between the 25's.

I find the best action working from about the 25 yard line back to the endzone on either end and catching the action as it comes. Once they get on about the 15, depending on the lens you're using of course, you can get behind the endzone and catch some straight on shots or passes to either side if you've got a 70-200.

Inside the 15 I move to the goal post. That way I can shot either direction as the action comes toward me. But, that just me.
Here are a couple from the goal post. First was wide right and second wide left. Would have missed both from the sideline.
Good luck!

Probably not a lot of need for the 24-70.

Do a search for Peter Read Millers tips for shooting football.. they are on Canon's website somewhere, and is really helpful for people just starting out...

try to look for what play might happen too, sometimes you take a chance and you get a shot like this one:

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If you are using only the 70-200 and nothing bigger, then lose the monopod

If you are just shooting with one body, then only time you will need the 24-70 is after the game if there are celebrations.
Take the 1.4 converter. And as was just mentioned, don't take the monopod.

Thanks for the comments. Forecast is looking good - mid 50s, cloudy with only a slight chance of rain.

As someone who is new to football, why ditch the monopod?

Drewc2010 wrote in post #13417411
As someone who is new to football, why ditch the monopod?

It's a day game (2:00), plenty of light, shutter speeds will be ~1/1000" so camera/lens shake won't be a problem. Same reason why IS is not used for daylight sports. Quick guideline for camera/lens shake is usually 1/focallength... so shake shouldn't be a factor until you shoot 1/200" or slower.. which would be waaaay too slow for sports.

Best perspective is when you get low... it's a lot easier to kneel without constantly having to readjust monopod height.

And a lot easier to move up and down the sideline without a monopod. And easier to get out of the way when/if the action comes a little too close.

Easier to handle a 2nd body if you don't have a 6' stick attached to one.

70-200 is lightweight. So you won't need a monopod for weight support. 400, 500, 600, 800... sure, use a monopod (and a gimbal). 70-200, 100-400, 50-500 bigma... nah.