Need to shoot High School football

[SteveHo]

I will be shooting some high school football next year. Can I get some idea of what works in terms of a lens? I have a D50 and no telephoto lenses (well I do have a 85 1.8).

What is the minimum aperture...I am assuming 2.8.

What about focal lengh...200, 300, more?

I have been looking at 80-200 2.8, 70-200 2.8, and 70-300 VR.

Thanks.

 

[Gale]

Ask Mike Mac:>))))
He be da best in my book and eyes
If Mike says it I bless it.
lolol

 

[Randy]

I will be shooting some high school football next year. Can I get some idea of what works in terms of a lens? I have a D50 and no telephoto lenses (well I do have a 85 1.8).

What is the minimum aperture...I am assuming 2.8.

What about focal lengh...200, 300, more?

I have been looking at 80-200 2.8, 70-200 2.8, and 70-300 VR.

Thanks.

forget 2.8
2.0 or 1.8
200/2 is prob the best lens
try to stay away from iso1600

ask craig cappy, he has done the best work at night
www.craigcappy.com

 

[mike mac]

Well you are wanting to shoot some of the hardest sport shooting there is.
I will detail my experience and setup and a few examples. After shooting 4 plus years of night H.S football I just was not pleased with the results of shooting at 2.8 at ISO 1600.

As far as lens go you if you are goign to shoot without a flash you will need a f 2.8. As far as focal length goes I would recommend a 300 2.8. Less than that and cropping at the high ISO produces some bad results.
My setup I am using now consist of a D2X with a 300 2.8 mounted on a monopd. to this I attach a SB29 flash cord. I use a bogen super clamp to mount the flash about 15 - 18 inches below the lens and attach the SB800 to it.
this setup eliminates the ugly red eye one gets with using a flash on the cam, it also gives a nice even light. I also use the nikon battery pack for quicker recharge times, bring a ton of AA's with you Here are a few examples from on of the PA State playoff games
These were shot ISO 800, f 2.8 s 1/320 s
Again this is just my technique and my opinion I am sure others will offer so very good ideas also.

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[SteveHo]

Great shots!

Thanks for information on your technique. I like that you can see the expression on their faces.

I get the feeling I have a long way to go...looking forward to getting started.

 

[acena]

You did not emntion whether you were shooting Friday night football or Saturday games.

 

[Ray C.]

Well you are wanting to shoot some of the hardest sport shooting there is.

Mike, maybe you should have added an (*) at the end... :wink:



* With a Nikon


Unfortunately true for us Nikon guys, but not terribly difficult for Canon shooters... f/2.8 is plenty for those guys.

Must be nice...

 

[Ray C.]

You did not emntion whether you were shooting Friday night football or Saturday games.

Good point Alex...big, BIG difference between Friday night(mare) and Sat. morning/afternoon games.

 

[SteveHo]

Unfortunately, Friday night games.

 

[acena]

Unfortunately, Friday night games.

Then you need to use a flash BUT as Mike mentioned, the flash has to be BELOW the camera NOT above if you want to avoid red eye. This is not a debatable issue DO NOT place it above unless you want to spend all that time removing red eye in post-production.

Here is a picture of teh set up.

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