Another attempt at sports photography

cooligPhoto

Went along to RDS on Friday (I work across the road). I was sat in front row of north stand - couldn't believe the number of people who kept walking past the front of me, I thought ppl would be watching the match not wandering around.

Now I got that gripe off my chest, here are some of the pics...

O'Driscoll doesn't seem interested in the ball...



Now he seems to want it...



This is my favourite...



They look a bit "noisy" on screen but I've printed them all A4 and they look great. I set manual mode to 1/500 (changed to 1/400 later) and f/2.8 and set the ISO to auto.

City-Exile

Nice shots there.
You did well on the framing & they're fairly level.
Good & bright on my screen.
I think you've done well, considering what you had to work with.

kensutz

Not a bad effort. The amount of people bumping into the hoardings which caused myself and Paul to rock back and forth while taking shots was unbelievable. The second half was better when the railings were more secure and not easily bumped into.

City-Exile

That as always been a problem.
Kids "swinging" off the hoardings, in need of a good slap!
I had no problem telling them to stop.

paulusdu

Great pictures.
I love the last one, great leap by Big Mal, gives us 30 somethigns a bit of hope:-)

I went to a Connacht game about a month ago against London Welsh, rubbish game but vey few people there so easy to get shots. It was the first time i tried shooting Rugby, or any sports for that matter.

How easy is it to shoot at a Leinster game ? Do you need to arrange special permission for cameras?

I rang up before the Connacht game and they said there was no porblem, but i think they were just happy to to have an extra person at the game . . . . . .

City-Exile

You see lots of cameras in the crowd at Leinster games.
Never seen the stewards give anyone any hassle.

dakar

Cooligphoto,

I seem to remember that on the 'Balance Sheet' thread that you had the Nikon 80-200 f2.8, I presume that's what these were taken with. The shots look great, how do you find the lens?

I was looking at one as I really can't justify shelling out for the 70-200 VR, and I think I'd prefer the older Nikon to the equivalent Sigma at about the same price, given the reviews I've read. I don't need the VR as I'd mostly like this for the fast shutter speeds it would give me for a bit of sports/nature stuff (and anyway I have the 18-200 VR for lower light stuff and static subjects).

I'd like to hear what you or the other sports shooters think.

Dragan

Very nice shots, good sense of action in all of them.

Number 3 is the standout for me.

cooligPhoto

dakar wrote: »

I seem to remember that on the 'Balance Sheet' thread that you had the Nikon 80-200 f2.8, I presume that's what these were taken with. The shots look great, how do you find the lens?

You're right, I used the 80-200 f/2.8 for this. I find the lens fantastic. I don't know if there are different versions but the one I have has a sliding zoom (instead of twisting). I find that a great bonus, much easier to use. I'm not too bothered with VR as most of my photography is tripod or monopod based or slow action for hand-held.

The only problem is improving - the only way is the f/2 direction. If I start saving now, maybe I can get one when I retire (in about 20 years).

MartMax

Nice shots coolig I especially like no. 3

jackdaw

cooligPhoto wrote: »

Went along to RDS on Friday (I work across the road). I was sat in front row of north stand - couldn't believe the number of people who kept walking past the front of me, I thought ppl would be watching the match not wandering around.

Now I got that gripe off my chest, here are some of the pics...

O'Driscoll doesn't seem interested in the ball...



Now he seems to want it...



This is my favourite...



They look a bit "noisy" on screen but I've printed them all A4 and they look great. I set manual mode to 1/500 (changed to 1/400 later) and f/2.8 and set the ISO to auto.

What lens is this with ? the Canon 300 f2.8 L IS?

and what body ?

City-Exile

cooligPhoto wrote: »

You're right, I used the 80-200 f/2.8 for this.

jackdaw wrote: »

What lens is this with ? the Canon 300 f2.8 L IS?

and what body ?

Nikon!

cooligPhoto

jackdaw wrote: »

What lens is this with ? the Canon 300 f2.8 L IS?

and what body ?

As mentioned previously - 80-200 f/2.8

Nikon D2X.