Amateur Sports Photography

Buford T Justice

Looking to do some amateur sports photography when my kids are playing GAA

I already have an Olympus E-420 camera with a 17.5 - 45mm lens. I know very little about camera so in order to get decent pitch side action shots I'm wondering which of these two lenses to get.

https://kamerastore.com/en-ie/products/olympus-40-150mm-f3-5-4-5-zuiko-digital-four-thirds-6?variant=47691298406733&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=google&utm_content=Olympus+40-150mm+f3.5-4.5+Zuiko+Digital&utm_campaign=shopping

This is a 40 - 150 lens,

Or this one

https://kamerastore.com/en-ie/products/olympus-70-300mm-f4-5-6-ed-zuiko-digital-four-thirds-2

This is a 70 - 300mm lens.

Now this ons is damaged so it doesn't seem like it's appropriate to buy but what Im wondering is, if the 150 is suitable or would I need the 300?

Gregor Samsa

You've an Olympus E-420 which has a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor. Meaning that compared to "Full Frame", it has a x2 crop factor. So to get the "equivalent" focal length of one of the MFT lenses in Full Frame terms (which is the reference point by which I and many photographers think), you multiply by two

So the 40-150 is equivalent to an 80-300 on full frame, and the 70-300 is equivalent to a 140-600 on FF.

If I was shooting kids GAA on my full frame camera, 600mm would be too much. There would be times when it would be good to zoom in to action at the far end of the field, but generally, you will be taking shots of play you're relatively near to. And you're not taking portraits across the field - you want the whole of the player(s) and some contextual environment in the shot. So you don't need that much reach. I'd most likely spend most of my time in and around 150-300mm (75-150mm on MFT) for the action out on the field, and then obviously things could happen closer to me that I'd want something wider for.

So I think in terms of focal length, the 40-150 is the better choice. The 40-150 is also a slightly "faster" lens (f3.5-4.5), which will allow you slightly higher shutter speeds, which are what you need to freeze the action in sports shooting.

MPB have the f3.5-4.5 version here for €164 (used), which is an amazing price for almost any lens:

https://www.mpb.com/en-eu/product/olympus-m-zuiko-digital-ed-40-150mm-f-4-5-6

There is a faster 40-150 f2.8 that would be ideal for sports, but it's a fair bit more expensive (but at €934-€999, still a bargain for a good lens):

https://www.mpb.com/en-eu/product/olympus-m-zuiko-digital-ed-40-150mm-f-2-8-pro

If you wanted to get into nature photography, particularly birds, the 70-300 would be the one to go with.

Buford T Justice

Thanks for the reply.

I take it this one would be the 150mm one you're referring to?

Buford T Justice

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/156016100559

Gregor Samsa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701370#Comment_121701370

Yep, that’s the one. I thought the MPB prices were good, but €88 all in is a steal.

Buford T Justice

I've ordered that one, but the 70 - 300 mm lens has arrived already. To get me started, what settings should I be using, adjusting etc.... as I learn how to use it?