Next lens for GAA photography?

paulocon2

Hi all,

I've been getting into Sports photography over the last number of months. Got myself a Nikon D7000 and am delighted with the results to date. Having invested in a cheap Nikon 80-200 f4.5/5.6 initially which was a great lens to learn with, I upgraded to 80-200 f2.8 a couple of months ago and it's a great lens for capturing the action regardless of the light.

I'm looking into adding another lens to my bag for the sports photography and am looking for recommendations. Really looking for something wider to take shots of grounds/crowds. Also want something to take team/group shots and something to capture celebrations/despair on the pitch after games.

Just wondering if anyone on here is into sports photography and what kit they carry?

Paulw

paulocon2 wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone on here is into sports photography and what kit they carry?

My kit for big games -

16-35mm f/2.8 (used for overall and stadium shots, and for close up after the game)
70-200mm f/2.8 (used for close action and team shots)
400mm f/2.8 (sometimes with 1.4x TC)

I've covered everything from local to international games with that kit.

twowheelsonly

PaulW, is that the 17-35 f2.8 that you have? Currently debating whether or not to go for a 14-24 but not sure that I'd get much use from it. (Enough to justify the price anyway!!) Have the 16-35 F4 and that 17-35 in the mix as well and just debating which I'd use most.


PaulOCon:

Current gear - Mainly shooting Soccer, Boxing, Athletics.

24-70mm f2.8 (pre and post match and most boxing photos)
80-200mm f2.8 (as Paul W, closer action and some 'portraiture' type shots and most road races, very occasional boxing depending on location))
300mm f2.8 (Most soccer, sometimes road races - if I feel like dragging it!!.)

Don't have a tele converter but from my limited experience of GAA coverage would def need one if I were to do more of it.

All above used with Nikon D3s

Paulw

twowheelsonly wrote: »

PaulW, is that the 17-35 f2.8 that you have? Currently debating whether or not to go for a 14-24 but not sure that I'd get much use from it. (Enough to justify the price anyway!!) Have the 16-35 F4 and that 17-35 in the mix as well and just debating which I'd use most.

I shoot Canon, so it's a 16-35mm f/2.8 Canon lens.

I also have an 8-15mm fisheye, but that is seldom used.

I have others lenses, that I don't always bring to games, such as 24-70mm, 24-105mm, 100-400mm ... but these would not be lenses that I would find a use for at a sports event.

braddun

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/07/23/the-best-lenses-for-sports-photography-and-ideal-focal-lengths-to-use/

Paulw

braddun wrote: »

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/07/23/the-best-lenses-for-sports-photography-and-ideal-focal-lengths-to-use/

I'll have to disagree with some of the recommendations in that article. It's written not by a sports shooter, but by a camera journalist.

Much better to ask someone who actually shoots sports, rather than a journalist.

paulocon2

twowheelsonly wrote: »

PaulW, is that the 17-35 f2.8 that you have? Currently debating whether or not to go for a 14-24 but not sure that I'd get much use from it. (Enough to justify the price anyway!!) Have the 16-35 F4 and that 17-35 in the mix as well and just debating which I'd use most.


PaulOCon:

Current gear - Mainly shooting Soccer, Boxing, Athletics.

24-70mm f2.8 (pre and post match and most boxing photos)
80-200mm f2.8 (as Paul W, closer action and some 'portraiture' type shots and most road races, very occasional boxing depending on location))
300mm f2.8 (Most soccer, sometimes road races - if I feel like dragging it!!.)

Don't have a tele converter but from my limited experience of GAA coverage would def need one if I were to do more of it.

All above used with Nikon D3s

Thanks for that. Good to know what other people have in their kit bags!

I see you have a Nikon D3s. On my wish-list for one day! Do you shoot professionally? I assume you guys take 2 or more bodies with you when shooting?

paulocon2

Paulw wrote: »

My kit for big games -

16-35mm f/2.8 (used for overall and stadium shots, and for close up after the game)
70-200mm f/2.8 (used for close action and team shots)
400mm f/2.8 (sometimes with 1.4x TC)

I've covered everything from local to international games with that kit.

Wow. I won't ask how much that bit of kit cost!

Paulw

I know someone selling a Nikon 400mm f/2.8 VR lens, for a very decent price. He is also selling a D3. PM me if you want more info.

I always carry 2 bodies, and for very big events, I would have three with me.

twowheelsonly

paulocon2 wrote: »

Thanks for that. Good to know what other people have in their kit bags!

I see you have a Nikon D3s. On my wish-list for one day! Do you shoot professionally? I assume you guys take 2 or more bodies with you when shooting?

Yeah, usually 2 bodies for soccer & field athletics but 1 for boxing and road races etc. Not fully pro by any means but do a bit for the local papers and websites etc. As with PaulW I have a couple of other lenses as well but the 3 above would be the ones I'd use nearly all the time.
There were a couple of D3s' on Adverts recently - not sure if they're still there but the price was reasonable enough. They've dropped a bit and have become more available since the D4s was introduced. Superb camera, absolutely love it. The low light capabilities and contrast range are incredible. Most of my boxing shots from local events would be in the 10,000 ISO range and there's some published in newspapers every week.
Having said that, I have my eye on the D4s now
Hopefully I can look at one towards the end of next summer (at the earliest!!) but the prices are scary

BTW, those 3 lens and 1 body are all 2nd hand. Good quality 2nd hand lenses in particular are always worth a look and can save you sometimes thousands. I could probably do with a 70-200 but I love the 80-200 even though it's a bit slower focusing. As it stands the only thing I have to worry about is replacing bodies as the lenses will last donkeys years.