Next Three Things...

I have been offered by a local high school to shoot their football games. I know my setup isn't good enough now, so I am going to buy a few things. This is what I am thinking about...

1. 70-200mm 2.8
2. Carbon Monopod
3. BG-E3 battery grip.

Does that sound OK to you guys, or am I way off? I cant afford a new body right now. But you can see my current gear in my signature, let me know what you guys would get besides a new body. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Stephen

am only very new to camera's but could it not be cheaper to buy flash gun's have them aranged and have a radio trigger to set them off then you could use your canon 75 - 300mm

instead of having a low F-stop

Will a flash reach far enough when the players are somewhat far away?

I use a camera mounted flash, having them remotely around a football is just asking for someone to throw a ball into, run into throw a person into And won't be effective not focused on the action. Camera mounted is good when you have permission to be up close and personal. I would just add a 580 with a good battery pack. I have also had pretty good luck with a 85 1.2.

Why carbon monpod in #2? Just get cheap bogen monopod for $50. I have one (679B I guess) and it handles my 500mm f4 IS along with 1dmk2 without any problems.

Even with 70-200mm f2.8 you will need flash for some high school fields for night time football games.

I think you are going in a good direction. The 70-200 is light years ahead of the 75-300 as far as IQ, focus speed and aperture.

I would not go for the grip. I don't think you really need it. It does help the balance but I get about 1000 pictures out of my xti on a single battery.

I don't see the point in spending a tremendous amount of money on a monopod. I'm sure some will disagree with me and that's ok. But I'm not dumping a bunch of money on a stick.

Personally I would go for a cheaper monopod and spend the money on a fast wide zoom like 17-55/2.8.

eddarr wrote in post #6133243
I think you are going in a good direction. The 70-200 is light years ahead of the 75-300 as far as IQ, focus speed and aperture.

I would not go for the grip. I don't think you really need it. It does help the balance but I get about 1000 pictures out of my xti on a single battery.

I don't see the point in spending a tremendous amount of money on a monopod. I'm sure some will disagree with me and that's ok. But I'm not dumping a bunch of money on a stick.

Personally I would go for a cheaper monopod and spend the money on a fast wide zoom like 17-55/2.8.

I think the grip is a nice thing to get. I shoot vertical sports shots more than not.

I use the 70-200 2.8 for night football attached to a 40D. My old camera was the original Digital Rebel. Your body should be OK. The lighting at HS night football games is terrible and varies widely from the 50 to the end zones so you should get a good flash. I use the 580ex with great results. The 70-200 may seem heavy but it's light enough to hand hold and I prefer to work without a monopod so that I can quickly drop down low to get a different angle. I do recommend a neck strap.
Have fun at the games.

The Canon 100-400 4.5-5.6 is a great lens if you have enough light. Gives you a little more reach than the 70-200.

Thank you all so much for all your help.

My view is
1) cheaper monopod_ basic bogen is fine
2) I like the grip for shooting vert.
3) consider a 1.4 converter for day game increase in length, well lit fields at night
4) consider a 85 1.8, its more expensive brother is slower to focus

You won't need a monopod for the 70-200mm 2.8.

Dave

Does the IS really make that big of a difference with sports photograpy?

agree with the comment about not needing a monopod for the 70-700.

I shoot a lot of clicks during a game and like having the grip on my 30D for added power supply and it balances the weight of the lens set up.

I crank my ISO up to 3200 and can shoot anywhere inbetween 400th and 800th per/sec depending on the color of uniforms and where I am on the field. Never have been happy with use of flash at the games.

The lens is ideal for football though. Go get it now.

Get the 70-200 2.8 (non IS if $ is an issue)
- decent monopod (carbon fiber is not necessary)
- 580 EX II
- flash bracket

Read this https://photography-on-the.net …ight=night+foot​ball+flash