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Sports photography
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Hi. This one’s for all the pro’s, and people who know, out there! I’m looking to get into sports photography next year & I’m asking what gear will I need? Or what would you’s recommend? As you’s can probably guess, funds are a little tight though I will stretch to get some half-decent gear. Also, would I need any sort of insurance ie. Public Liability/Professional Indemnity insurance? I’ve been told that wedding photographers need it, and possibly photography studios.
Thanks in advance,
Jordan
The answer to all your questions will first depend upon what kind of sport, I presume you mean field sports?
You’ll definitely need Public Liability insurance. Some venues/organisations request a copy of your PL cert.
As for gear – Canon or Nikon?
As a basic, you’ll need a 70-200mm lens. Then it will depend on what sport you’re covering.
Ahh the cold has frozen my brain. Sorry Paddy, I’ll be going into field sports aye, but mainly rallying/circuit racing. Local soccer pitches are small enough for me to get away with a Canon 55-250mm, but being realistic I’ll probably need a 300mm, plus the 70-200mm. What camera would I be best going for? 1D is probably out of the question, so what would be the next best thing?
7D, 60D would be decent enough.
Keep an eye out for second hand 1D MkIIN or 1D MkIII.
jrdn7 wrote:
but being realistic I’ll probably need a 300mm
You’re in luck :D
canon-300mm-f-2-8-l-is-usm-lens-t47587.html
Ballyman wrote:
jrdn7 wrote:
but being realistic I’ll probably need a 300mm
You’re in luck :D
Haha! I’d struggle to raise 10% of the asking price though it’s a nice thought! I was more thinking along the 300mm f4l or 200mm 2.8 line. Which would be better?
Ballyman wrote:
longer is nearly always better.
Aye, fair point. I suppose I could cover the me-to-subject distance with a 70-200 f4. What’s the 300mm f4l like?
jrdn7 wrote:
Ballyman wrote:
longer is nearly always better.
Aye, fair point. I suppose I could cover the me-to-subject distance with a 70-200 f4. What’s the 300mm f4l like?
Are you talking about on a full frame or crop sensor here?
(I was just about to take the plunge on a second hand 70-200 f2.8. :| )
Dunno, never used one. I’m sure it’s fine. Wont be much use in the evening or under lights though for fast moving stuff.
You will get a lot more use out of a 70-200 though.
Buceph Yeah, it’ll be a 1.6x sensor, on a 1000D (soon to be 550D/50D).
Ballyman I’m looking at a new 70-200mm f4l, but may possibly pay the extra ~£300 & get a 2.8 instead. Would much prefer the low-light capabilities of it, and the bokeh. Most of my gear would also double as motorsport gear, so it may need to be fast/weather-sealed.
Here’s a general question, is it better to stick with Canon & get a proper L-series lens, rather than go cheap & get a Sigma/Tamron?
jrdn7 wrote:
Buceph Yeah, it’ll be a 1.6x sensor, on a 1000D (soon to be 550D/50D).
That’s why I think getting a 70-200 is manageable (at least this is the way I’ve figured it for myself.) Most sports photographers for field sports say a 300mm is the minimum, but they’d all be using it on a full frame sensor. So when I use it on a crop sensor I’ll be getting an effective 300mm focal length, so theoretically it should reach the right standard.
I don’t know of any sports photographer here in Ireland anyway shooting on a full frame sensor camera…firstly because they are
not built for sports photography, that is the frames per second rate…this will all change next year with the new Canon full-frame camera
that can shoot at 12 frames a second. Most photographers are using the 1DMK 111 or MKIV on Canon and their Nikon equivalent’s are all a 1.3 crop.
To answer the original question I know an f2.8 lens is essential if shooting any low light or night-time sport occasion. If you will be doing a
lot of shooting during the day then an f4 will give you a nice effect and fast shutter speed which is essential. I suppose the question is…what can you afford to buy…I used the Canon 100-400 f5.6 for many years on a Canon 40D…got some great shots at Ireland games in Croke Park but missed a lot as well because of the f5.6 which resulted in too slow a speed.
The 7D is a great camera…8fps and great quality…ideally a second hand 1DMK 111 or 1DMK11n would be better if you are really serious and whatever you do try to save for the 70-200 f2.8 instead of f4…a world of difference and a lens you will hold onto for life…I guarantee that if you get the Canon f4, you will want to change within a few months but if most of your shooting is during the day it should suffice.
Do you have a budget ?Noel Browne.
Hi Noel
As far as I am aware the Nikon D3 and D3s as used by the likes of Sportsfile have full frame sensors and shutters speeds of up to 11fps, I would agree that canon or Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 is the way to go for starters considering that most field sports are played in the afternoon during the winter months in Ireland, and where lighting levels can be a problem..
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