T-Ball action at 400mm

Well almost. My wife and I went to watch our grandsons (pics #3 & #4) play ball today and I took the 30D, the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 and a 1.4x TC. That gave me 168-420mm f/4. Although I did take the converter off late in the game for some shots through the backstop, I kept it on for most of it.

With the power to reach out and touch somebody, I moved down past the first and third base dugouts so I could shoot the baselines.

475 images in a 4 inning game!

Omg there so cuteee!! There 4th one is amazing!

damned, these images makes me want to go out and get a kid.

the colors and story that it tells just makes you smile from your heart.

#4 is a winner just love the expression

Number three is my favorite I like the clearity and color. Someting I am working towards.

GREAT expression shots, awesome set! much better then just a generic baseball shoot.

Agree on #4. Very cute.

how is the 120-300, i've been contemplation getting that vs the the 300 2.8 IS.

given that I have the 70-200, the overlap from 120-200 just doesn't allow me to make up my mind.

Nice shots. Seems you have a nice sharp 120-300mm f2.8. I am also considering one but then hear that AF is not that fast and couple of copies that I looked at (B&S forum), they weren't sharp at all at f2.8.

Aaagogo, I also have a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and it works great also. I don't have any plans to sell either of the lenses.

bobbyz, I now have close to 20K shots taken with the 120-300 since buying it new last Dec. I've used it on a 20D, and now the 30D and 40D. I use it with the 40D mostly.

Since I haven't used the canon 300 f/2.8, I don't know how to compare the focus speed between the two. It seems fast enough to me. Ocassionally I get out of focus shots but I blame a lot of it on me, not the camera. I have had good luck capturing running backs coming around the corner at me as I follow them coming at me and going on past. Same goes for baserunners coming at me from third and rounding the bag.

I guess my best example of quick focusing is the thread I posted here about the inside the park homerun. I was standing along the first base fence and managed to capture the batter hitting the ball, the center fielder misplaying the ball, the runner rounding second, third and sliding into home plate. There are actually two or three more images that I didn't use because they were about the same views of the runner running the bases.

What I really like is the ability to change the focal length as the play develops. That has worked really well. I've used the lens so much, it is second nature to zoom while shooting an action play.

And a side note...I bought this lens for sports and widlife shooting. It was my retirement present to me from me. I also use a 1.4x and a 2x TC with it. It's been good to me.

Thanks
Mike

i was researching on the 120-300 and i did read about the focusing problem, but the main concern is not the speed,

the concern is the tracking, and AF speed at the same time you are zooming in or out when trying to shoot a play.

i like the primes, amazing, perfect for shooting sports, cause it forces you to think before hand, and the 300 2.8 and 400 2.8 focuses fast, like really really fast, comparing it to my 70-200 2.8 IS, makes the 70-200 slow. LOL

I'll probably use the wonderful return policy that this awesome country has to decide if I like the power of zoom and if I get a sharp copy.

those pictures are fabulous and pretty darn cute.. still dont want anymore kids though lol

I cant imagine giving up my 300... even for a zoom.

Great pictures MT. If I could cover 8 and under every day I would be happy. The games are fun and always interesting and the parents buy, buy buy.

Classic stuff, well done.

Mike, great images and I concur on the effectiveness of the 120-300 with 1.4 tc. I shot a few thousand frames with it this past weekend and found that the focusing was very good and plenty fast. Lighting was great so bear that in mind but I enjoyed using this lends very much. I did find the zoom handy but found I spent the majority of my time at 420mm or something awful close.

BTW, #4 is priceless. Any parent would drool over having images like that of their kid. Very very well done!