I shot a high school soccer match Saturday, and for the first time, I set up a remote camera behind the goal.
I used a Canon 40D with a Canon 17-40 f/4 lens set at 17mm and f/7.1. The camera was set at ISO 400, AV mode with manual focus and high speed (6.5 FPS).
Mount: I made my mount out of a cutting board (hope the wifey doesn't find out!
I drilled a 3/8" hole through the center of the board so a 3/8" x 3/4 inch bolt would fit through it. It is just the right size so the ball head fits snugly when bolted to it.
Setting up the mount was easy because the ground was still wet so I just pushed the stakes into the ground. I did bring a nylon tent stake mallet that I had just in case I needed some OOMPH!
I took a few test shots of the guys warming up, then taped the focus ring with gaffers tape so it wouldn't move.
For the remote, I used a Phottix Cleon wireless remote. I have used it before but not in this application.
Summary. The test was successful. I got quiet a few wide angle pics but I might have been able to adjust the view a little to make the pics better.
Everything was in focus. According to the Depth of Field Calculator I used, everything from about 4 feet to infinity should have been in focus when focus at 20 feet. I think I was focused closer but not sure because I didn't get a chance to measure the distance from camera lens to the subject.
The remote worked great when I was close to the camera, but when I was down the sideline, it didn't trigger the camera. I didn't find this out until I got home and uploaded the pics to the computer. That means I missed several shots on goal and at least three goals. One team scored 4 of their 9 goals on the end where the camera was mounted.
It was a good experiment. Next time I will hook up my Skyports. I have a way to use them to trigger the camera and shouldn't have any trouble from 200 feet (or more).
Here is my setup and a couple of sample pictures.
This could also be used to shoot birds at the feeder or other situations where you would scare the critters if you were standing there.
Hope you find this info helpful.
Mike
1) Remote setup behind the goal net. Note: Football goal post was to camera left, thus the shadows!
2) Side view.
3) Rear view.
4) Sample Pic - uncropped
5) Sample Pic #2 - uncropped
