More HS Basketball with the Sigma 85 f/1.4 on 7D

Seems to be working out well. No focus issues (except the usual self-inflicted errors) some are experiencing with the lens. All shot with 7D set to 1/640, f/2 and ISO 2500.

1. Think this guy is the team's leading scorer. Probably has around 20 a game and cleans the boards really well, too.

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snyderman wrote in post #11700975
7. Another play that ended in foul shots ...

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IMG_2489 by snyderman3, on Flickr

Fantastic expression! Nice capture.

lazer-jock wrote in post #11701117
Fantastic expression! Nice capture.

Thanks! The young man has quite a 'game face.' He's probably a 6' 2" two guard who likes to take it to the rack and score. Easy to get the great game face from him. Very quiet kid, too.

dave

Great job with the HS gym lighting! It helps having a fast lens and high iso. It seems like there is some noise in some of them, but incredible shots!

rpearce12 wrote in post #11701228
Great job with the HS gym lighting! It helps having a fast lens and high iso. It seems like there is some noise in some of them, but incredible shots!

Agree about the noise. I used to run them all through Neat Image, then resharpen and reduce the color saturation to finish them off. The kids and their parents don't actually SEE noise like we do. They still buy them as is!

I sound lazy, don't I?!!!

dave

awesome shots Dave! I will be covering "little guys/gals" basketball this year and I will have to try out the combo of the 7D + 85 1.8! I was so hung up on using the 70-200 2.8 and the 200 2.0 that I used for soccer for basketball and never thought about the 85.

The 85mm is next on my list of lenses for basketball, not to mention a great portrait lens also.

snyderman wrote in post #11701432
Agree about the noise. I used to run them all through Neat Image, then resharpen and reduce the color saturation to finish them off. The kids and their parents don't actually SEE noise like we do. They still buy them as is!

I sound lazy, don't I?!!!

dave

Nice series of photos. Did you have strobes set up in the stands or was this shot using the existing GYM lighting? I just picked up a 85mm F 1.8 and hope to get in some basketball shots next weekend.

Regards,

110yd

MarkAnthonyPhotography wrote in post #11701539
awesome shots Dave! I will be covering "little guys/gals" basketball this year and I will have to try out the combo of the 7D + 85 1.8! I was so hung up on using the 70-200 2.8 and the 200 2.0 that I used for soccer for basketball and never thought about the 85.

Hi Mark:

thanks for the kind words. I tried the 70-200 2.8 as well. Aside from not having enough light in most gyms for the 2.8, it's heavy and didn't function well for me with panning side to side and up and down. The 85 (Canon or Sigma) are lightweight, open to f/2 and just a much more manageable tool for shooting basketball.

Give it a try and post some of your work. Most HS gyms will give you 1/640 at f/2, ISO 2500.

dave

110yd wrote in post #11702356
Nice series of photos. Did you have strobes set up in the stands or was this shot using the existing GYM lighting? I just picked up a 85mm F 1.8 and hope to get in some basketball shots next weekend.

Regards,

110yd

Strictly ambient light shots. This is our local HS and I've learned last season and this that there are some 'dark zones' on the floor so I stay away from shooting them. Otherwise, I guess it's a decently lit gym. As mentioned, standard HS gyms settings 'round these parts are 1/640, f/2 (your Canon f/1.8 will do GREAT!!!) and ISO 2500 on a 7D.

dave

NGC2141 wrote in post #11701594
The 85mm is next on my list of lenses for basketball, not to mention a great portrait lens also.

NGC,

I purchased the Sigma 85 and sold the Canon 85mm f/1.8. I was really nervous that the Sigma wouldn't focus quickly and provide as good a results as the Canon at the ball games. It does focus a bit slower than the Canon version, but like you said ... maybe the Sigma is a better portrait lens than the Canon 85 version.

dave

7 is miles and away your best shot here. It's fantastic.

Snyderman,
Nice shots....on the 7D, what did you set your focus points? I know the 7D have several options,,,just curious, thinking of making the jump, I have the canon 85mm, shoot with an Xsi, but am maxed out at iso1600....I know the 7D has a great focus system, was curious of how you guys set it up...pics look great.

chopper5654 wrote in post #11705330
7 is miles and away your best shot here. It's fantastic.

Thank you! They were comin' right at us! The player in white was able to shake the defender but not get off the a shot at the basket. The defender in green nearly cleaned the photographer just to my right! Was kind of an ugly spill for the defender.

Thanks again. The 7D is really good at latching onto focus and not letting go!

dave

mark2009 wrote in post #11705596
Snyderman,
Nice shots....on the 7D, what did you set your focus points? I know the 7D have several options,,,just curious, thinking of making the jump, I have the canon 85mm, shoot with an Xsi, but am maxed out at iso1600....I know the 7D has a great focus system, was curious of how you guys set it up...pics look great.

Mark:

I set everything on the 7D as tight as possible. I have the spot metering turned on and use the spot AF in AI Servo mode. This way, if I can lock onto to a player in a tight spot and it's my best oppty at keeping the focus from jumping onto a player nearer or further from the lens.

The 7D focus system really helps shooting sports!

dave