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Advice for shooting field sports…
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Hello all,
I would appreciate some advice on shooting sports e.g. football, hurling, rugby etc. I have a Canon 500D with a 700-300 Sigma lens which I hope to replace soon with a Canon EF 70-200 f/4 or Sigma 2.8 (haven’t decided yet).
Problem is I’m not sure which focus mode to use but I assume it going to be either AI Focus or Servo. Which is more accurate?
And what about the focus point? Should I use single-point focus or multi-point in the 9-point system? Most of the time I’m not going to have much time to think about focus points and composition.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Regards,
Noel.Go for the Sigma f2.8. You’ll need it on dull days (which we have a lot of in Ireland!) and under floodlights. You may get away with the f4 a lot of the time but you will end up finding it frustrating. You can also get a 1.4x extender for the Sigma which will give you a 98-280mm f4. This would be ideal to use in the summer when you find 200mm isn’t enough.
As for the focusing, I’d recommend you using AI Servo when shooting moving objects. The camera should be able to track and keep in focus when using this.
As for which focus point you use, well that depends on who you talk to. Some prefer to use the centre point only whereas others prefer to use the 9 point system. I use the centre point only 99% of the time and it works fine for me. The odd time where there was a corner into a crowded penalty box I’d switch over to 9 point to focus on overything in the box but other than that it’s centre point.
Have a go yourself and see which you prefer and which works better for you.Best of luck.
Thanks Ballyman. Did you use the Sigma 2.8 for your Flickr shots?
If so, have you noticed any sharpness/CA probs at 2.8 or 200mm?
Appreciated,
Noel.I’d definitely say use AI Servo and the centre only focus point.
Then it’ll come down to your camera and the lens, and how good you are at tracking your subject.
paul wrote:
I’d definitely say use AI Servo and the centre only focus point.
Then it’ll come down to your camera and the lens, and how good you are at tracking your subject.
OK, thanks Paul. I’ll give it a shot. BTW, which lens did you use for the Flickr soccers shots?
Thanks for the advice guys. I was considering the Canon f/4L but I’m starting to lean towards the Sigma f/2.8.
Regards,
Noel.Hi Noel. I would agree with the lads. AI servo and the central focus point. I’d also recommend setting your camera to multi shot mode as it will help in getting a choice of shots from each encounter on the field. f/2.8 would definitely be the best option in lens choice.
Focused wrote:
OK, thanks Paul. I’ll give it a shot. BTW, which lens did you use for the Flickr soccers shots?
The Ireland V Italy game, I used a Canon 400mm f/2.8 lens. For the Sporting Fingal football shots, I use Canon 300mm f/2.8 lens, and for local football, I use a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.
I’ve got the Canon 70 – 200MM F4 and it’s a great lens. My mate has the sigma, and to be honest with the Sigma try before you buy, some of them have been known not to autofocus properly. Something with Sigma is more than willing to fix for you type of camera.
Personally F4 is fast enough. I do some panning shots in mondello and it’s generally fine. Knowing Irish weather though, either get the Sigma, or save up for the F2.8 70 – 200MM.
Focused wrote:
Thanks Ballyman. Did you use the Sigma 2.8 for your Flickr shots?
If so, have you noticed any sharpness/CA probs at 2.8 or 200mm?
Appreciated,
Noel.All the horseracing stuff is with a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 and the other field sport is with a Sigma 120-300mm f2.8
I’ve had no problems with either lens at 2.8 or max focal length and they both suit me fine. I have never used the Canon equivalents so I have nothing to compare them to but they both produce sharp enough images for me. There are stories where some people have had poor copies of these lenses but as far as I am aware, Sigma will resolve any issues you have anyway if this issue did arise so this shouldn’t be an problem.
If you’re in the Dublin/Kildare area then you’re welcome to take them on a test drive if you wish.
Sigma 120-300mm 300mm f2.8
Sigma 70-200mm 200mm f2.8
If you plan to shoot under floodlights, then you’re really going to need an f/2.8 lens. You may struggle otherwise.
Thanks again guys.
Ballyman, just one more Q please. Did you use a full-frame or cropped sensor for the soccer and horse-racing shots? My crop factor is x1.6 so 200mm translates
to 320mm.Regards,
Noel.Mine’s a 1.6 crop as well on a Canon 40D. The 1D MkIII that Paul above uses has a 1.3 crop.
Ballyman wrote:
Mine’s a 1.6 crop as well on a Canon 40D. The 1D MkIII that Paul above uses has a 1.3 crop.
Thanks. I was hoping you’d say full-frame! BTW, I thought the 1D was full-frame sensor so would have CF of 1. No?
Focused wrote:
Thanks. I was hoping you’d say full-frame! BTW, I thought the 1D was full-frame sensor so would have CF of 1. No?
APS-C sensor – 40D/7D 1.6 crop
APS-H sensor – 1D series 1.3 crop
1Ds/5D series full frame
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