a few recent MMA pics

These were taken on the 3rd, the most recent event I've shot:

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SnapLocally.com wrote in post #5541650
Thanks, Dwight.

Unfortunately for me, the ability to get as close to the action as I do is also an indicator that I'm shooting small-time events for less than stellar pay days. This particular event for example, I not only didn't get paid, I lost money on travel expenses. I stupidly accepted "sponsor" status, which was little more than having a large, interpolated version of my logo afixed to a large banner included with other sponsors, flown above a beer tub.

The BEER tub?

Sad, isn't it. I was under the impression that I'd also be on the flyers/programs, but no, Budweiser was the sole sponsor that made those. Let this be a heads up to any fledgling photographer that may find themselves in a similar situation: Sponsorship = garbage, unless the event is relatively close.

When I was negotiating this poor deal, the individual I dealt with first hand told explained to me that me covering the entire event was "a $500 value". My reply:

"If you believe this is a $500 value, tell you what- I'll split the difference with you, and settle for $250, cash."

and so it was, me settling for hi-res memories, a beer tub banner, and a learning experience.

Regardless of the biz experience those pictures are shot really well. The last one does it for me. I used to fight MMA myself and can really appreciate a couple of bloodied up guys squared off. Good Work!

Keep at it...I think you could get to where your trying to go!

Of course not loosing money along the way would help!

Very clean for 1600 and you obviously have the ability to "follow the action"....I was surprised by the focal length, makes me want a "used prime" like that.

I don't think there was a bad shot in the bunch you posted and you captured several key moments!

Thanks, guys.

Needless to say, my choice of lens was chosen to match my budget at the time of purchase. Now, I could go out and purchase the 24-70L, but to be perfectly honest, I've compared my work to others using the said lens in the same environment, and sure, I'd use the L lens if I had it, but I've seen no discernable disparity in image quality between the two lenses whatsoever. I also own the Tamron 28-75 L/2.8, which is a fair lens in it's own right, but it's noiser in both senses of the word, slower af and not as bright, even at the same aperature. But still, I've taken some of my best pics with it.

It's too bad there's not much money in the big shows either.

I'd like to hear more about the "big show" payscales. Though I suppose the pay is dependent on who one is working for.

Which camera body was used for these?

40D. I started with the XTi, and decided to upgrade cameras when I felt I took the Reb as far as I could. I took some great shots with that, too, but now I've got the option of iso 3200 (which I've had to use), I've more than doubled my fps, and I'm getting less noise w/higher iq.

Man, that picture above of the dude in the triangle choke is textbook perfect. Even though you didn't make big bucks on it at least you got to get up close and see the event live.