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Photography Question 

Thomas C. Rowe
 

Best lens for horse show jumping


I am trying to decide which specific lens to purchase (model and manufacturer) for photographing horse show jumping action with a Nikon D70.
Should it be AF zoom telephoto vs AF fixed focal length? Is wide angle better due to lower apertures. I want to get the sharpest image possible. What about Nikkor vs Sigma or Cannon lenses. Price is a consideration (under $2,000)


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June 14, 2004

 

Amber Heintzberger
  The 70-200mm f/2.8 is pretty standard. If you are indoors make sure to set the ISO higher.


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June 18, 2008

 

Raymond H. Kemp
  It's more than just standard, the Nikon 70-200mm ED VR lens is probably the best Nikon zoom made to date. It would be my recommendation, in addition to Amber's, to use for indoor and outdoor arenas assuming you can shoot from or near the fence line.

It's incredibly sharp and delivers very good bokeh. The VR will be a big help for those hand held shots as well. This glass will set you back around $1600.00.


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June 18, 2008

 
- Dennis Flanagan

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  Ray recommended a very good lens. Shooting events/sports is like real estate. Location, location, location. Are you going to be at the field level or the top row of bleachers?


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June 18, 2008

 

William Schuette
  Hi Thomas, I shoot a lot of equestrian events (my wife is a horse addict). I use the 200-400 mm Nikkor because it has the length to take shots all the way across any ring but it would be out of your price range. Before I got it, I used the 70-200 which produces great photos but you just have to pick your shots. Generally, for hunters (jumping courses for style rather than speed), the rings are smaller and you can set up pretty close to the rails. The 70-200 mm is a good focal length although even at 200mm it can be a little short when trying to shoot all the way across the ring and still fill the frame. Set up for the jumps at the end of the jumping lines particularly if these are oxers (two fences jumped as one) as these challenge the horse and produce the best jump. For hunters, form is everything and the best moment is when the horse is maximally extended and right as his back toes are leaving the ground. At this point, his front knees should be tucked tightly unless he is not challenged by the jump. Hunters generally do not like shots where the horse is over the jump in the air or coming down. The timing takes a lot of practice. For jumpers (those that are jumping for speed), the rings tend to be pretty large and with a 70-200 your best bet is to find a spot where you can pick one or two good fences and a good angle. Again, look for oxers as they challenge the horse and rider more and generally induce the best jumps. The timing is less critical as jumpers like almost anything in the air. Couple of additional points. Learn the course and if you can watch other riders to see where the best opportunities are. A good monopod is a great investment. You can generally prefocus on the top rail of a jump and even with an aperture of f/4 will have sufficient depth of field due to the distance to the subject. Last bit of advice, never show a female rider a shot of her jumping away from you. They all think their bottoms are too big.

Bill


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June 20, 2008

 
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