Shooting Sports Events?

[syke]

Hello,

I am going to the Manchester United football game on saturday, and wondering what sort of settings you recommend for shooting sports events, and trying to get the best pictures possible?

Will not be using a tripod, baring that in mind.

Camera will be a Nikon D40, and will be taking a 18-55mm and a 55-200mm.

What sort of ISO/Aperture you guys recon?

And any other details?


Regards,


Adam

 

[Pho]

Maybe this will help:
http://www.dcmag.co.uk/How_to_shoot_incredible_football_shots.YVYn2ORo39cnPg.html

And this:
http://www.silverlight.co.uk/tutorials/compose_expose/speeds1.html

"American football, soccer, rugby etc. 1/250th - 1/1000th of a second and lots of practice."


Probably best off using shutter priority I'd have thought too.

 

[dod]

settings will all depend on the light. There's a guy on another forum regularly uses F2.8, 1/800 and ISO 800+ to stop the action.

Be interested to see if they actually allow you to take your kit in anyway.

 

[Johnny|lucidcomposure]

I have been many of times and taken my 30D non gripped with only one lens I could got away with. Sigma 105mm F2.8 Macro

I used this as my only other options were a 50mm F1.8 and a 100 - 400 L IS


I used the prime due to its compactness and because it was a prime it gave me maximum Image quality so cropping was possible. and it had F2.8 allowing for high shutter speeds at ISO800 whilest giving me some shallow depth of field. Mainly 1/200th.

I had my kit disembled in my large coat pockets. I would imagine on show you would get told no. I know for a fact there is a sign at the gates saying no telephoto photography

 

[syke]

The game is at Craven Cottage, Fulham. Should be fine there?

Ive seen quite a few with cameras.

Perhaps it may be best to take a compact then?

 

[emetic]

If the stewards find you with your gear they 'should' take it off you. grounds have a system to hold gear and will give it you back after the game but often its just easier for the stewards to turn you away and then your stuck.

 

[syke]

If the stewards find you with your gear they 'should' take it off you. grounds have a system to hold gear and will give it you back after the game but often its just easier for the stewards to turn you away and then your stuck.

Hmm, perhaps it may be worth to take the Pentax then.

 

[mrgubby]

I was at a Watford / Liverpool match last month with my 300D / 28-300 lens attached. Stood there snapping away in full view of the stewards with no problems

 

[Johnny|lucidcomposure]

I was at a Watford / Liverpool match last month with my 300D / 28-300 lens attached. Stood there snapping away in full view of the stewards with no problems

Cant assume all stewards will be like that though. Been turned away at the gate is pretty much the line between a good time and a wasted time.

I would try n sneak it in but then your on you own. I wouldnt use anything that extended in length really.

 

[Bolerus]

I went to see stoke city play last week

before going I telephoned the club and asked for the policy on cameras, I was told that if the camera will fit in your pocket you are fine.

I said, so if I wear a coat with biggish pockets ill be fine

she laughed and said yeah as long as you dont swing it around, or take any pictures of children

 

[Johnny|lucidcomposure]

I went to see stoke city play last week

before going I telephoned the club and asked for the policy on cameras, I was told that if the camera will fit in your pocket you are fine.

I said, so if I wear a coat with biggish pockets ill be fine

she laughed and said yeah as long as you dont swing it around, or take any pictures of children

Its not quite the same though when it comes to world class footballers and stadiums. They hold a lot of copyright on the property and the players photographs can be used commercially.

That is their concern..

Please feel free to try but be warned thats all im saying.

 

[syke]

It will be at Fulham though, so perhaps even though it might be alright, i dont want to take the risk.

Think ill stick with the Pentax 750Z then.

 

[Bolerus]

just ring the stadium and ask


cut out all the conjecture and go straight to the horse

 

[Zefan]

I know people call me a pain in the arse but Fstop11 your sig is breaking the rules - the image is larger than the maximum allowed filesize of 20KB.

I do like your pics though

 

[Johnny|lucidcomposure]

I know people call me a pain in the arse but Fstop11 your sig is breaking the rules - the image is larger than the maximum allowed filesize of 20KB.

I do like your pics though

I swear I keep having to change thing thing all the time!! Im getting sick of it happening here now.

How do you know it breaks the rule? Do you inspect it?

Thanks, im glad you like my Photography

 

[Zefan]

How do you know it breaks the rule? Do you inspect it?

I just check any sigs that I don't remember well as I pass them, right click > properties using firefox.

 

[Johnny|lucidcomposure]

I just check any sigs that I don't remember well as I pass them, right click > properties using firefox.

I see. Fixed sig now with a new one.

 

[BruceLee]

I see. Fixed sig now with a new one.

[bored at work]
Still too big

83px high.
[/bored at work]

 

[syke]

Was a great game, shame about how the pictures came out though.

Was hard to get a decent picture with a compact in a busy stadium

 

[syke]

Here are some of my pictures, shame they could have come out a bit better:

What do you think?

There are a few more which are also quite good including Rooney. Will add later if these go down well

Taken with Pentax Optio 750Z.