70-200, long enough for High school football ?

[guitarbug]

I am doing a favor for someone and shooting some high school football Saturday (day-thank God) Is a 70-200 long enough ? Any tips for shooting this and the 1/2 time show ? Its Dunbar High in Fort Worth if anyone else is shooting, let me know. Thanks.

[robert t]

is it a 2.8? you bet, put 1.4x on it if your shooting in the daylight.

[Roy]

I might be there depending on what is lined up for Saturday around here. The 70-200 will be fine. You need to stay off the players and coaches area which means you have the 25yd line to end zone to shoot on each end. Did you get access to shoot on the field? Oh, and be prepared for a security check at the gate. All sports activities in Fort Worth are like that. Metal detectors and all. Don't even think about bringing a pocket knife or you will have to walk back to your truck.

[guitarbug]

Thanks Robert & Roy. Yes , I have access to the field. I am shooting for the school through a studio out of Richland Hills. I just need to shoot the first half and some candids during the halftime show. My Sigma 70-200 is not a 2.8 though, but I think I may have one buy Sat. Roy will you be shooting Dunbar this weekend?

[Roy]

Maybe I'll see you there Chris. I'm not shooting for Dunbar though I'll probably go just to see you shoot and try to keep up with the ball. You should get some great half time shots. Dunbar puts on a real show at halftime. You shouldn't need a 2.8 in the middle of the day. I'm tickeled if I can get a shutter speed of 1/500 at night. Your Sigma should be fine. This game starts at 3 pm, right? What time do you plan to be there? It's about 20 minutes from my house.

[guitarbug]

I am thinking about 2:30 or a little earlier! I have to locate some school officials first then try to get oriented. Give me call later if you want. I will pm you my # again if you don't have it ? OH Yea, the game is at 3pm

[Daniel W.]

70-200 is long enough for me at night.
I'm tickled if I get 1/160 at 2.8, 1600.
Was able to shoot 1/320 last night... was pretty freaking ecstatic...

Just make sure you dont step out of line and get into someone's shot. Also, (this is a personal rule), kneel if you're in a bit of a crowd and everyone else is there before you. I HATE it when at the last second someone runs in and mucks up my shot.

[guitarbug]

Originally Posted by Daniel W.

70-200 is long enough for me at night.
I'm tickled if I get 1/160 at 2.8, 1600.
Was able to shoot 1/320 last night... was pretty freaking ecstatic...

Just make sure you dont step out of line and get into someone's shot. Also, (this is a personal rule), kneel if you're in a bit of a crowd and everyone else is there before you. I HATE it when at the last second someone runs in and mucks up my shot.

I had that happen to me today, some guy was right in the way of a run to the sideline. Boy it was fun shooting football. I can only imagine it would not be as fun at night though!

Roy, good to see you again today! That monster lens of you'res killed me. What an awesome piece of technology you have there. I had a blast and came away with some great stuff I beleive. Will post some when I get home. I am in the wittness protection program right now in a undisclosed location! Kinda sorta.... Thanks for helping me out Roy, a pleasure to shoot with you again!

[Wes]

Personally, I don't think that 70-200 is long enough for football - especially when they spot the ball on the hash marks on the side of the field farthest away from you. That's just my opinion. I would feel much more comfortable with something that can reach out to 400mm or so.

[Roy]

Good to see you too Chris. Hope you got some good ones. Wes, the 70-200 won't get you every thing but if your in the right spot at the right time it will do the job. If everybody had 400mm lenses there wouldn't be a lot of side line hugging. You just have to learn your tools. I don't know anybody that gets every shot every time. Football is too fickle of a game to be in "that spot". Shootin with a 400 from the end zone sure is nice though.

[guitarbug]

Originally Posted by Wes

Personally, I don't think that 70-200 is long enough for football - especially when they spot the ball on the hash marks on the side of the field farthest away from you. That's just my opinion. I would feel much more comfortable with something that can reach out to 400mm or so.

Wes , I agree but I made a mistake on my title. I meant was my 70-300mm good enough ? It seemed fine for what I needed, but man would I love to have that bazooka Roy was lugging around. LOL.. I think I may need 2 more jobs..

[jonnydonut]

interesting thread for me to read.

I've been shooting high school games with a sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 this year. This is really my first time to shoot sports. I just bought the canon 70-200 2.8L. My first game with it will be this weekend, but it's my first day game, so I won't be able to compare so much. In fact... I'm not sure if I want to sacrifice the extra focal length for the aperture if it's during the day, but the excitement will probably convince me to go with the new. Nevertheless, the sigma has served me well and I'm sure you'll be fine, especially since it's a day game.

-Jonny

[guitarbug]

Originally Posted by jonnydonut

interesting thread for me to read.

I've been shooting high school games with a sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 this year. This is really my first time to shoot sports. I just bought the canon 70-200 2.8L. My first game with it will be this weekend, but it's my first day game, so I won't be able to compare so much. In fact... I'm not sure if I want to sacrifice the extra focal length for the aperture if it's during the day, but the excitement will probably convince me to go with the new. Nevertheless, the sigma has served me well and I'm sure you'll be fine, especially since it's a day game.

-Jonny

Thats the exact lens I was talking about and it was fine. It actualy was faster than I thought it would be! But if I was to do more of this I would have to go with something like what Roy was shooting, a monster!

[ldelacruz]

Originally Posted by guitarbug

Thats the exact lens I was talking about and it was fine. It actualy was faster than I thought it would be! But if I was to do more of this I would have to go with something like what Roy was shooting, a monster!

so what was Roy shooting with?

[guitarbug]

Originally Posted by ldelacruz

so what was Roy shooting with?

A 400mm Cannon ? Not sure the details, but he can tell you.