Photographing Rodeos?

I've been asked to shoot local rodeos. The issue is it lasts 4 plus hours, and goes into the night.
Day shots are good (except for the dust), but when dusk/night sets in I'm having issues getting consistent shots.

Equipment: 7D gripped with 70-200 L 2.8 IS and a 5D gripped with 24-70 2.8 OS.

During the daylight hours I shoot TV (1000, 5.6, ISO 100). Night attempted 800-1000, 2.8, ISO 6400 with mixed results.
***Lights and flashes are not permitted***
Stadium is lit with old halogen lights.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Can post pics for your humor...LOL!

Thanks in advance.

Its very likely that the rodeo arenas you are working in are just so poorly lit as to render your gear mostly useless. If 6400 doesn't get you there then you might need a 1dx or 5d3. I know you have said flash and lights are not permitted, are you working with the organizers? If so as if off camera flash, mounted high so its out of the sightine of horse and rider would be an option. In a full arena it wouldnt even be noticable tp spectators as evidenced by strobed basketball arenas.

Wish I could afford a 1dx. That's for those those millionaire photographers...

But seriously, I've shot rodeos in an indoor arena at 6400 and with a little PP the pictures were usable.
I believe it's because of the inconsistent lighting. I'll ask the owners about your suggestions (except for the 1DX thing...).
I think if it's not direct into the Cowboy/Horse it shouldn't be an issue.

Are my settings OK?

what about a fast prime?

I cant tell if your settings are okay without knowing the light.

If the arena has any kind of light you should be able to push the iSO to 3200 or 6400 shooting f/2.8 and 1/250. With good technique you should be able to get good results. Back in the film day we used to push Tri-X to 1600 and these settings under some pretty poorly lit football fields getting good photos for the newspapers.

Jack

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for.

I'll try it.

Please share the photos so we can try to help you even more.

night time- reduce your ss to 250@ 2.8 and the 6400 iso....with proper technique with that body and lens you get usable end results....
cheapest way to "better" your end result is to use 2 or more alien bees 1600's with the long throw reflectors in those old arenas....you'll need a bag of 100' extension cords, some super clamps, regular light stands for installations...(tie em back from the fence away from pickup men ropes.) and or mini lithium battery's or vagabond 2s.....you can get what you need at paul buff pertaining to lighting.... because there aren't many electrical outlets around there and the vendors\announcers get priority..get the committee members to install an electric outlet for you at the base of the light poles...this lighting setup is permissible at any rodeo.....because of the extension cords make sure you have a general liability insurance policy in case of people tripping over your equipment.......there is more to this than you know...camera body and fast lenses in those old arenas with poor lighting wont save you......if you don't sell prints on site then expect sales to be minimal...barrel racers are your best bet for income....in todays tech world as long as they can see it on their phone on the web, even a 2.50 low rez download wont sell.....I ran the rodeo circuit for 3 years covering regular rodeo, barrel races, team ropings ...there isn't any money in it regardless of what you've got when you figure for the travel and time spent in any arena every day.....they'll look at it on the web on their phone and just go on....sad but true...jr rodeos offer a little window of income production because its the kids first go........they want the happening there...roughstock kids don't have the money and adults don't care....just the nature of the beast, accept it and move forward

Thanks, I'll try it!

To truly do it right you need flash like a Norman 400B or large strobes mounted around the arena.

250th of a sec shutter speed seems awful slow for a rodeo?

Not if you have strobes. Its about the only way to do it right.

I wouldn't imagine strobes being used in Rodeo situations, but never really thought about it, not had the opportunity to shoot a rodeo yet!

I use strobes in our local high school gym, 4 250 watt stones down each side of the gym all aimed up at the ceiling.

You would probably need larger ones than that.