Covering fights

bradnailer

There's a guy I work with that's big into kick boxing,I'd like to shoot one of his fights some time. Any tips I've got a Nikon SB600 flash.Sigma 12-20mm,Sigma 105mm,Sigma 70-300mm Apo and a Nikon D70s.
Are people allowed around the ring and is flash use allowed (don't want to end up beaten to a pulp:D)

Merrion

Flash use is not allowed in any photographing competitive event at all, and is a bit of an imposition even when it is not a competition.
Fortunately (imo) a bit of blur makes the shot more interesting so bring a tripod but not a flash.
If it is a spectator event the lighting will be very good anyway.

Oriel

Yeah, you're going to have to use a fast lens, the wider the better, and bump up the ISO to 1600.

bradnailer

My 105mm is the fastest lens I have, anyone know if you can shoot ring side.

challengemaster

methinks the fighters have enough to worry about beating the crap outta eachother, nevermind some eejit in the crowd with a flashgun blinding them (would be their thoughts - I know they'd be mine too if I was fighting).. So don't even think of bringing it.

High ISO, maybe 800-1600, fast shutter speed to get the action frozen, depending on lighting conditions, try maybe 1/300, and if you can get faster..

Oh, and a fast lens (f/2.8 or so) would be ideal

Oriel

bradnailer wrote: »

My 105mm is the fastest lens I have, anyone know if you can shoot ring side.

You're going to need something wider than that if you're looking to shoot ringside. What aperture is it?

bradnailer

Oriel wrote: »

You're going to need something wider than that if you're looking to shoot ringside. What aperture is it?

The 105mm is 2.8,10-20mm is the next fastest at 4.5 the rest of my lenses would be too slow.

challengemaster

The d70s is a crop yeah?

you could probably get away with the 105mm from the crowd, then

Roen

Let us know how you get on Brad, I'm going to do a few boxing/kickboxing matches myself when I get the chance.

Ricky91t

I remember seeing a shot on inpho or a boxing match very low shutter speed at hands were very blurry but it was a really good shot!

bradnailer

challengemaster wrote: »

The d70s is a crop yeah?

you could probably get away with the 105mm from the crowd, then

Thought you were saying the D70s was crap when i read it first

challengemaster

bradnailer wrote: »

Thought you were saying the D70s was crap when i read it first

Well its a Nikon.. so that covers that statement anyway

bradnailer

Now, now lets not go there

challengemaster

Could be us doing the fighting!

Nah, do tell us how you got on and post pics please. I might decide to bring the camera to my TKD/Karate competitions..

bradnailer

Not sure when his next fight is, will post (if there's any keepers)

quickg

Did several boxing matches with D70. Got great shots with it. You need a fairly fast lens, ideally the wider the better. It really depends what you want to get. the main problem with the likes of the D7o is the frame rate. Boxing is a very fast and dynamic sport and the money shot could just be a millisecond out. Try and buy a used D2H or D2Hs.

FreeAnd..

You will definitely need wider than the 105 and I doubt using a 4.5f will be fast enough. All depends on the light in the ring but i'd say you would need 2.8 and ISO 1600 or above...check out Muay Thai all of these were taken with 24-70 (mainly 24mm and sometimes this wasnt wide enough) at ISO 1600 or 3200. I'm not sure what chance you will have with a competitive fight but ask the organiser and as long as you dont get in the way you should be fine. Just offer him the chance of a few shots for promotion or whatever

bradnailer

I was talking to the guy i work with that fights, he didn't think there'd be a problem with me using a flash, as long as i wasn't right at ring side with it

Thirdfox

I see plenty of competitive matches where flash is allowed - in fact I assumed that flash is generally allowed.

May be a case of asking and confirming.

bradnailer

Given that I may be able to use a flash do you guys think that a 70-300mm would cover a fight well