Shooting soccer with a 300 2.8

[avfoto]

Hi all !!!

I am going to shoot my first serious soccer match with the Canon 300 2.8 IS
along with either the 1.4 & 2.0 TC´s as my longest tele.

Any suggestion or comment !!!!

Thanks

Jaime
http://www.avfotografia.es

[Photo-John]

Welcome to PhotographyREVIEW.com! I haven't shot soccer before. But I have used the non-IS version of the Canon 300 f/2.8L. The best advice I have to offer is use a monopod. That lens is a beast and it will do a number on your arm. When I've used it I didn't shoot from the monopod. But the monopod was there so I could more easily and quickly set the camera down.

I don't know how much sports you shoot. I see that you have a surf photo, a running photo, and a horse photo on the main page of your site. I always use only the middle focus point because it's the most accurate and fastest. And I have my camera's custom function button programmed so that it locks the focus. That's the opposite of a lot of photographers. I have it that way so that I can leave my camera on AI Servo but and still prefocus if I want to, without having to change focus modes. I shoot mostly mountain biking and it works great for that and other racing. I'm not sure how well that would work for soccer or other field sports that are less predictable. There are some other photographers here who have more experience with team sports and might be able to offer better advice in that area.


The Canon 300 f/2.8 lenses are wonderful - maybe the best I've ever used. The image quality is beautiful and the auto focus is awesome. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your photos.

Thanks for joining us!

[JSPhoto]

Why the TC's? They will hurt your f stop so if you can avoid them do. What body are you going to use?

Welcome to the forum, we'll try to help you out

JS

[jorgemonkey]

With the company I work for on the weekends I shoot ALOT of soccer. I don't know if you're shooting youth games or adult games, but for youth 9 or under I'd use the 300 without a TC. Anything played on a full size field you'll want that 2x TC on the lens.

I'd have to second PhotoJohns suggestion and you will want a monopod. I also use the middle focus point for focus, and it works very well.

And lets see some samples when you're done!

[livin4lax09]

the tc's will lose a stop yes, but getting about a 450mm f/4 plus body crop is very helpful. Many 400mm f/2.8 shooters use a 1.4x TC as well. It's all about tight crops. Monopod!

[Homer]

I'm gonna agree with Brent. I currently shoot with the 70-200L f/2.8 and almost always use the 1.4x converter with it, which gives me a f/4.0. I still get a nice DOF blurring the background.

Jim

[berrywise]

Anyone else find that sometimes it is just easier to cheat and crop your photo? I mean with 11mp cameras vs. 4mp from yesterdays you are still going to have plenty enough information to print from.

I know when shooting soccer I always liked having just the 300 because that way I still could catch some action when it came to my side of the field without feeling like I was shooting just a headshot.

The other complain I always had with converters is they slowed up my focusing ability.

Call me a cheater but I just found that easier.

[Homer]

I guess it would all depend on the camera and lenes you have regarding the converter. As far as I can notice, I haven't lost any speed with focusing or continuous shooting with my camera (MK IIn)

Jim