Big Basketball Game on Friday -- Tips?

Well there is a rival game on Friday at my school, similar to the ones last night and last friday. The stands, understandably will be packed like sardines, and there is only about 12" from the stands and the sidelines. I don't have the OK (or the equipment) to set up remote cameras on the backboards, but I am thinking of renting a Mark 2 and a 85mm (which one?) for this. The gym is well lit, but I think it could be improved. My current outfit will be this:

350D
70-200mm 2.8L
50mm 1.8 II
580EX II (New!)

D70s
18-70mm

What do you think? Should I go ahead and rent the Mark 2 and the 85, ditch the Nikon and rent a wide angle? and what about flash settings and a diffuser? any general advice?

Thanks!

85/1.8. The 85L is not a sports lens.

I don't like to shoot sports with flash, and you probably do not need to. Shoot ISO 1600 with the 85 wide open. Watch the histogram during warm ups and adjust shutter spped until the whites of whatever team in is white jerseys is into the rightmost 1/5th of the hisrogram. If you get 1/320 at this point you can live.

Do not underexpose. Do not shoot slower than 1/250.

I think you'll be fine with your 70-200 f2.8 - that's what I shoot basketball with.

You might want to rent the 85 1.8, it's perfect for shooting from the corners. Depending on how well you know your camera, you could rent the Mark 2 if you feel the need. I shoot with a 30D/20D and have great results at ISO 1600-3200.

For the past couple of basketball games I switched from my 85 1.8 to my 50 f/1.8 , it works great for shots taken near the basket. Remember you have a crop factor on the camera. I may start using 2 bodies during this season so I can have my 70-200 on one and my 50 on the other.

Some Volly Ball Tournament Tests **56K Warning!**

much rather rent strobes than rent a new body/lens - I use the IIn & 70-200 for b-ball/wrestling with two AB Strobes.

I use a 30D and a 85 1.8 in these badly lit gyms... here are a couple of random shot form this weekend to give you an idea how the 85 does Note its the 1.8 NOT 1.2 The 1.2 is not fast enough focusing for sports.

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