All right, sports shooters...

[JohnT]

I'm going to the Ranger game tonight. What's the minimum shutter speed I should use to freeze the action, especially pitching?

By the way, I'll be shooting @ 200mm F2.8 on a 50D. Got some really good seats so the focal length should work.

[Daniel Bates]

I try to stay above 1/640th. Night baseball is difficult without long 2.8 lenses, and my ideal shutter speeds aren't usually available.

[Tom]

You will probably want more length than 200. I shoot from the stands with a 300 and that isn't always long enough. A lot of guys in the pits are shooting with 400s or 600s.

As far as shutter speed, it really depends on what you are trying to freeze. 1/640 is a good starting point, but if you want to get the seams clear on the baseball hitting the bat, you may want to get up over 1/2000. Or you may want the motion blur and so you drag it more.

Play around a lot. There is no perfect answer.

[Wendy]

As fast as you can go to freeze the action. Even at 1/640, you're not going to freeze the pitching. The pitcher's motion will be blurred. If you want to freeze the ball, as Thomas said you're looking at 1/2000+.

[JohnT]

Got me thinking my efforts might be fruitless. I really need a 400 f/2.8 minimum for this, but that ain't happening. I'll take what I have and see what happens.

Thanks for the help!

[ldelacruz]

I try to stay above 1/400 to 1/500 shutter as a rule to stop motion. Since you are at a Major League Stadium I am sure the lighting in most areas of the park will be enough to keep your shutter speed above that. See what speeds you get at ISO 1600 and if it is not enough your 50D should be OK up to ISO 3200.

I have never tried to stop the pitching but I am sure the others gave you good advice on that.

[zebulus]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

You will probably want more length than 200. I shoot from the stands with a 300

His lens is a 300mm with the crop factor on the 50D

[ldelacruz]

They might not let you in with a 300 2.8. I have been turned away with my 70-200 f2.8. Of course it wasn't at the Rangers game.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by ldelacruz

They might not let you in with a 300 2.8. I have been turned away with my 70-200 f2.8. Of course it wasn't at the Rangers game.

70-200 is not a problem at the Rangers' ballpark.

[ldelacruz]

You should be good to go then. Make sure to post some pics when you get a chance.

[chrismg67]

Here's a few from Monday night. I was in section 33, row 24, seat 1 directly behind the Rangers dugout. Had an unobstructed line of sight to home plate (except for the vendors and drunks running to the restroom). I was shooting with a 70-200 2.8L and a 1.4x.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by zebulus

His lens is a 300mm with the crop factor on the 50D

I shoot with my 50D from the stands with a 300. It often isn't long enough.

I've never had a problem carrying my 300mm into any ballpark. I just hand hold it, dont bring a tripod, dont bring a bag. Lens and body.

[mdurisseau]

You definitely want more than a 200...in some cases, 300 isn't enough...I know that I shoot with a 300 or 300 + 1.4x for daylight games, and a 70-200...

[Roy]

I missed this one! I wonder if they would let one in with a 400 f2.8 and the pack mule to tote it in with? I'd be surprised and good luck hand holding one.