I have been asked to shoot some gymnastics matches and I was wandering if anyone has any experience in that area. I have been shooting soccer matches for about two years and I've done a little indoor stuff, but I know I need to upgrade my equipment. I currently use a Canon 300D with either a Canon 70-200 f4 L or a Sigma 70-200 f2.8. I want to upgrade to a 30D, but I'm not sure what lens to get for indoor.

The Sigma 70-200 will work, but you really need a really fast AF and high ISO as the lighting is really bad for photography in gymnastics. The Canon 70-200 with IS would be much better though than the Sigma. I personally wouldn't shoot it with anything less than a 1D body simply for the fast AF and FPS to get the most of the action. The 30D may be OK, but I don't know how fast it's AF is.

JS

The 1D is definitely out of my price range, that's why I was looking at the 30D. I'll research that to see what the difference is. I do notice a definite difference between the Sigma and the Canon lens when it comes to autofocus, but I'm not sure how much of that is the lens vs the camera body.

The difference is in the both the camera and lens. The Sigma signals are slightly different from the Canon signals. Even though all Canon bodies that use the EOS lens series have the same signals each one has it's own AF speed. Obviously pro shooters need faster AF so the pro 1D bodies have the faster AF. You can get a good used 1D (original version) for $900 and up to $1600 depending on condition & shutter actuations. Even the old 1D and new 1D have different AF speeds, and it's obvious when I switch between my two cameras even when using the same lens. It's most obvious in low light as the older 1D searches more than the the MKII N and the older 1D has a new AF section!

JS

I've shot a good bit of gymnastics and the lighting is highly variable from meet to meet, but mostly pretty bad. You can't use flash, of course. I'm a Nikon shooter and use the 70-200mm AFS VR. VR is like IS in the Canon line-up and mostly useless, since you need higher shutter speeds (1/250 will still have some blur). Beam is probably the easiest event to get a good pic.

Lately, I've been using an 85mm f/1.4 to get the shutter speeds up (and the 50mm f/1.4) if I can get close enough. Using my D200, I get fast enough frame rates. The AF could be faster and I don't like the noise at anything over ISO 800.

Sometimes in low light situations the best thing to do is get above your subject and use the light coming off the floor. This works well for both gymnastics and basketball, and even volleyball.
As Lava pointed out the beam is probably the easiest to shoot, although I have had some excellent results in all of the events, even the vault. You have to figure out the best way to shoot each event and use the practice runs for getting your settings for that event. One of my favorite gymnastics shots came from the vault shooting straight down, the girl was in mid air looking up and you could see every vein in her neck.

Also as Lava pointed out you cannot use flash. Also you want to stay out of direct view of the gymnast asit can be distracting to them. Basically don't stand at the end of the beam, be off to the side a bit and around 10 feet or more away.

As for noise, yeah, it can be an issue, however Neatimage can help with that :) I don't know how the 30D is AF speed wise or noise wise.

JS

Thanks for the info on positioning during an event. I was wandering about that. I am going to try to go to a practice event, but until I get a new camera body I don't expect to get much as fas as useable pics. The 300D just isn't cutting it anymore.

I know all about the 300D, I have one (wish I could sell it). I used it for about 4 weeks while my 1D was out for repair. I got so fed up with it I boought a 1D MKII N. I got the MKII N the same day the old 1D came back from Canon service....talk about timing! I took both cameraas to a soccer game and after that night the old 1D became the backup....and still is.
The 300D is OK for some things, mainly daytime outdoors, but even then it's best with bright sunlight. I hate it for indoors shooting, although it does OK with the 580EX flash.

JS

JAD,
I shoot SOME gymnastics. I have a 30D and it works well. I have been particing with some cheap lenses until my 70-200 IS is ordered (about a month). I have been trying to get timing down.
What level are you going to be shooting? Boys or girls?? If you are on the floor for the floor exercises, you shoudl get some great pics. Also so for the parrellel (sp?) bars for boys.

The 30D should work well for you with an IS lens or even a non IS 70-200 f2.8.
Post some photos...
Phil

I would be shooting girls. I'm not sure where I would be allowed to be during a meet. I'm hoping to work out those details with the business owner if I shoot an event for practice. Since I haven't done gymnastics before, he wants to see what I shoot before he commits to anything. And I need to get a new body because I know I wouldn't be able to give him anything worth looking at with my 300D.

Hi JAD. While I agree with JS in prinicple, I understand exactly where you're coming from. I can't afford the top end equipment either, so you are going to have to make do with what you can afford.

I shoot with the 20D, which is the model prior to the 30D. I can shoot fairly well indoors with that body and my Canon 70-200 F/2.8 lens.

Here are a couple of tips that I recommend.

1) Practice. Find some gymnastics gym in your area and explain your situation to the gym owner or manager. See if they will let you in to get practice shots.

2) Learn about the sport. The more knowledge you have, the more prepared you will be for the main events. Don't just expect to show up and take a few snapshots - you need to be prepared. Also find copies of gymnastics pubications and sporting magazines to see what kind of shots they use. You don't want to immitate them, but see what others have done to get an idea of how the events are shot.

3) Scope your location. Since lighting can vary by the gym, you'll need to get a tour of the location to see what you will be dealing with. Call ahead, and see if you can get in to get a tour. Bring your camera, and take some test shots. Also find out what sort of restrictions they have on event photographers like where the photographer areas are.

I think Sean summs it up pretty good. You need to understand the sport and what will be happening. In most meets, they pratice for a while before they compete. This will give you time to get your lighting down. This is very different for each gym.
If you know what they will be doing (routine ect.) then you will know where to get best angle / shots. Getting them facing you is difficult because they move so much in all directions.
Good Luck and post some, even if it just practice.

Thanks for all the info. Thankfully the business owner that asked me to do the work is more than willing to let me practice in his facility. The next time I hit the bookstore, I'll review a magazine or two to at least get some ideas for positioning. Again, thanks for the info and I'll post some pics after I do an event.