Mesquite Championship Rodeo

[QRasco]

A few pics I took at the rodeo this weekend. Never been before and it was a lot of fun. You couldn't pay me enough to get on one of those bulls!

All shot with D90, 85 prime, F-1.8, ISO 1600.

[Bobinga1]

Hey Quentin
Great Shots. I think I was at the same rodeo as you. It was a BLAST. There was eight of us that went. My family and my brothers family. I got what looks like the same shot just a different angle since I was on the opposite side as you. I went through some of my photo's and I think I have a shot with you in it. Even though I don't know what you look like. I only see one guy shooting nikon from your vantage point. We sat up front on the rails. 3 of us shooting canon's. Here are a few of my shots with some editing in lightroom.
Enjoy
Aaron

I tried to link to page but I guess I did something wrong.
So here is the direct link to Pics

[bobcool]

Hi Quinten,

You caught some good action for sure, but it seems that every shot you posted was back-focused. Take a look at the fans and the non-riders in each shot - see how they are sharper and more in focus than the subject? I don't know if this is because your technique needs some work to follow the action better, or if it's because the 85 f/1.8 is a screw drive lens and isn't great for keeping focus during fast action. I have the 85 f/1.8 and I used it once in a basketball game and that's all it took for me to discover that it just doesn't consistently adjust focus fast enough.

I recently attended the North Texas State Fair in Denton and had a chance to go see the rodeo. I have a whole gallery, but here's one photo where you can see the rider is in focus but the signs in the background are nice and blurry:


Granted, my equipment is a little different than yours - I used a D700 with the 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens, which is a great combo and the lens focuses super-fast. I'm glad you had a great time - we had a fun time as well. Just work on your technique of keeping the focus point on the subject and you may get more keepers in the future.

[QRasco]

Too funny...I did find myself in two of your shots

Originally Posted by Bobinga1

Hey Quentin
Great Shots. I think I was at the same rodeo as you. It was a BLAST. There was eight of us that went. My family and my brothers family. I got what looks like the same shot just a different angle since I was on the opposite side as you. I went through some of my photo's and I think I have a shot with you in it. Even though I don't know what you look like. I only see one guy shooting nikon from your vantage point. We sat up front on the rails. 3 of us shooting canon's. Here are a few of my shots with some editing in lightroom.
Enjoy
Aaron

I tried to link to page but I guess I did something wrong.
So here is the direct link to Pics

[QRasco]

I'd give me left (you know what) for a 70-200,

Originally Posted by bobcool

Hi Quinten,

You caught some good action for sure, but it seems that every shot you posted was back-focused. Take a look at the fans and the non-riders in each shot - see how they are sharper and more in focus than the subject? I don't know if this is because your technique needs some work to follow the action better, or if it's because the 85 f/1.8 is a screw drive lens and isn't great for keeping focus during fast action. I have the 85 f/1.8 and I used it once in a basketball game and that's all it took for me to discover that it just doesn't consistently adjust focus fast enough.

I recently attended the North Texas State Fair in Denton and had a chance to go see the rodeo. I have a whole gallery, but here's one photo where you can see the rider is in focus but the signs in the background are nice and blurry:


Granted, my equipment is a little different than yours - I used a D700 with the 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens, which is a great combo and the lens focuses super-fast. I'm glad you had a great time - we had a fun time as well. Just work on your technique of keeping the focus point on the subject and you may get more keepers in the future.