 Denise Griffith |
Lenses for Action Shots Hi all! I need y'alls expert opinion on the correct lens or lenses available for shooting action sports shots. I stand behind 1st and 3rd base in baseball, and get some good shots, but I think they could be better if I had a different lens.. I've got a telephoto 70-300 right now, I think. Also, is there any fix to taking shots when the stadium lights come on... I can't use my flash, because I'm standing to far away from the action for it to work. HELP!
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robert G. Fately |
Denise, for big-field action sports, you really need a long a fast lens. Your 70-300 is probably a mid speed f5.6 at the 300 end, but what will serve you much better is an f2.8 lens. You can find a 300MM f2.8, or an even longer telephoto - but they ain't cheap. As in, $5000 or more. I use Sigma's 120-300MM f2.8 zoom, which, while not quite as tack-sharp as the "name brand" lenses is far less money and is also more flexible thanks to the zoom capability. This "big glass" gets its nickname for a reason - expect the lens to weigh in at 6 pounds or so. Which in turn means that you'll want a monopod at the very least (a tripod gets too cumbersome if you are able to change positions around the periphery of the playing field between innings or whatever). Fast super-telephoto lenses are great for two reasons - you can use higher shutter speeds AND they have very shallow depth of field. This means that the shortstop taken with the 300MM f2.8 will really pop out sharply against a nicely blurred background as compared to a second shot from the same position using the 300MM f5.6. I hope that helps (and that I didn't depress you with those lens costs)
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Bob Cammarata |
Next time you watch a ball game on TV, pay attention to the sideline photographers,...(those commissioned by the local newspapers or major sports mag's), and notice the equipment they are sporting. You'll see monopods for stability and quick re-positioning of heavy equipment and huge lenses with bulbous front-element diameters. These are fast super-telephoto primes in the 400+ mm range...capable of freezing action in available light with a low ASA film or setting. As mentioned, one of these lenses will set you back a good penny and will weigh upon your ability to haul it around...(literally). If you're really interested, think "used". There are bargains being offered all the time on manual-focus super-telephotos.
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Denise Griffith |
Thank you both so much for your time!! Where are any good placing to research buying a used lens, Bob?? THANKS!
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robert G. Fately |
Well, I don't know much about the used marketplace, though I have always heard that the retailer KEH is an excelent source (www.keh.com). Of course, B&H Photo and the other major stores, like Samys and Calumet, also have used gear - and then there's the ubiquitous eBay if you're willing to trust the seller's descriptions. For the record, I've purchased a number of used lenses from eBay, but nothing quite so costly as this kind of bazooka lens would be.
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Bob Cammarata |
B&H has a reputable used department and can be trusted. E-bay can be hit or miss. Just make sure that the seller has a history of positive ratings and insist upon a return/refund policy. I've used both venues for used lenses, bodies and other stuff and haven't been burned yet.
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