Sports photography - easy it is not!!!

[tontoshorse]

Took these tonight.
Note to self:
need a faster lens (these are at 1600)
need 3 eyes to watch the game and to focus into the action.


Anyway-

[Liquid101]

You must be desperate to see some footy if you're watching Newcastle reserves!

What was the goalie doing in the first!?

[tontoshorse]

Originally Posted by Liquid101

You must be desperate to see some footy if you're watching Newcastle reserves!

The ground isn't too far away (home of Newcastle falcons rugby team)and messers Owen, Ameobi, Dyer and a first show of Cacapa all made for over 3,600 attentance at Newcastle Blue Star v NUFC

Originally Posted by Liquid101

What was the goalie doing in the first!?

I think about to lose his tackle.

[Gadget Daddy]

I know what you mean, I went to watch the Boro train last week, 1st time trying to take some sports pics, not as easy as it looks

[hot-fuzz]

Originally Posted by Gadget Daddy

I know what you mean, not as easy as it looks

What, as it looks for the professionals, that get paid to take shots with their very expensive equipment and best seats in the house and years of taking photos under their belts.
If i had the time and the equipment, im sure my passion for sport would mean i could take decent photos of sport.

I know its not 100% the equipment, but it is a hefty amount, especially in sport, as you could in theoiry just keep your finger on the button every time the striker looks like hes going to shoot.

Juat keep practising is my tip (well i hope practive helps as i need alot of it !!!!)

[jonnypb]

Originally Posted by tontoshorse

need a faster lens (these are at 1600)

Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS USM

[tontoshorse]

Originally Posted by bubble502

Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS USM

Nah, wouldn't fit my D50

[Liquid101]

Originally Posted by bubble502

Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS USM

I noticed that the photographers covering the USA PGA championship were all using Nikon gear. But then I suppose if you're going shooting in temps up to 110F, you'll need kit that won't melt.

[Sicknote10]

It's much easier at 3pm on a Saturday with a lovely bit of sunshine, night games are a pain unless you've got a fast lens especially at lower league grounds who don't have the best lighting, you can just end up with alot of motion blur even at iso1600 - those ones have come out well

Took this 'action' shot on Saturday...

[tontoshorse]

Ouch!
Nice crisp image sicknote. You're right about the light. The game kicked off at 7.45, but the lights (ha) didnt come on till the second half.

Athough for 1600 at least Owen and Dyer are recognisable!
cheers

[Yandros]

Yeah, it's tricky! Here are a couple from a kick-around a couple of weeks ago...

D200+105mm f2.8 VR Macro at 5fps, 400 ISO, 1/1250th sec f4-4.5

In my case it's the muppet behind the camera being the weak link , as the D200 is an absolute beast when it comes to action shots. I tried the 18-200VR at first, which was working out ok, but I realised that I had about the right distance for the 105mm, so I could crank the sharpness up another notch and got f2.8 goodness too There was a bit of 'zooming with feet', though to get out of the way.