First "official" gig on Tuesday. Final words?

Hey guys!

On Tuesday, I will very likely shoot a high-school soccer game in the area for a local sports blog. This would mark the very first time I would be shooting soccer for anybody but myself.

Here's my plan as far as shooting goes:

- 5D Mk II with 300mm f/4 on the monopod
- Gripped 7D with 70-200mm f/2.8 on the R-Strap

Other things to take to the game:

- Flash monopod rig just in case the game runs late
- Backup CF cards
- Backup AA batteries for the 7D's grip (I have no spare LP-E6 batteries, but the 5D and 7D batteries are interchangeable, so if one fails, I can still operate either body with the other battery)

Game plan:

I'll try to setup early and shoot from my usual favourite position which is between the goal and the corner flag behind the goal line. I'll probably pick the side where the sun will be in my back and shoot both halves from the same side to catch both teams in action.

Since this will be more editorial than I've ever done, I'll also try to get some shots of the bench & coaches.

I'll shoot RAW as always.

Anything else I'm missing?
Any final words of wisdom?

Thanks!

Don't screw up.

int2str wrote in post #9598299
- 5D Mk II with 300mm f/4 on the monopod
- Gripped 7D with 70-200mm f/2.8 on the R-Strap

I would switch the cameras and use the 7D on the 300 and the 5D on the 70-200.

Biffbradford wrote in post #9598344
Don't screw up.

Hah! Easier said then done

Sledhed wrote in post #9598391
I would switch the cameras and use the 7D on the 300 and the 5D on the 70-200.

Well, here's my thinking behind the other way around:

- I'd like to try the 5D as the primary body for it's IQ. And I'm thinking that the 300mm will yield the most pictures by far based on my experience. If the 5D's AF system just isn't up for the job, I will indeed put the 300 back on the 7D.

- When I shoot kids soccer, 300mm x 1.6x is often too long and I have to stand back quite a bit. Since this is high-school the subjects will be taller and I'll be able to stand a bit closer hopefully, so the 300 should be perfect on FF.

- I'm thinking that on FF, the 70-200mm would be to short even for the closeup action.

But I can adapt either way depending on where I'm allowed to be on the field and what the lighting will be like.

I shoot soccer with a 400, I think you'll want the reach.

[QUOTE=int2str;9598482​] If the 5D's AF system just isn't up for the job, I will indeed put the 300 back on the 7D.
QUOTE]

The 5D Mk2's AF system is more than up to the job, if the operator of the 5D Mk2 is.

I think you will want the 300 on the 7D as well. More reach and better af system. The 5D2 isn't really a sports camera. Better image quality isn't worth anything if your shots are out of focus right? =)

I would shoot the 300 on the 7D personally since this is highschool, I have shoot a 400 2.8 on my MKIII and found me wanting to be closer before good luck

My rules

1) Try to get photos of as many different players as possible.

2) Try to keep the ball in the shot.

3) Faces.

4) Check your images periodically to make sure you haven't done something really dumb.

5) Carry plenty of business cards.

6) Put a couple of Tylenol in your pocket.

Good luck.

Alright, well, Tuesday came and went and I did go and shoot a game.

I heeded most of your advice, including putting the 300mm on the 7D after all. And to no surprise to you guys of course, you were all right. That combo worked much better and I probably wouldn't have gotten a whole lot of shots if I had tried it the other way around.

Thanks for all the tips in this thread (including the Tylenol one - though I brought Advil instead and did need it).

It was pretty stressful given that my first assigned game was a night game and I had to shoot both bodies on ISO 5000... But all in all, it worked out well...

The result? One of my shots made front page

(Center above the "CIF Playoff" headline)

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Great shot! 300mm on the 7D was definitely the right choice.

I'd love to see more of your shots with the 300mm f/4 if you're OK to post them!

Here are a few more from the game. And remember, lighting was tricky at best...

1.

Looks great. I think the 300 on the crop body was definitely the right choice.

Congrats!!