Still trying 2nd try on HS BB

[BFiredup]

Okay, here we go again....all comments are welcome....don't hold back...
I am having a hard time getting the center focus right where I want it when the action is so fast...and after shooting 2 games in a row...my arms were getting tired...:blush2: And this is with a lightweight lens...

I have done some editing on them before posting....

[JSPhoto]

Wow, nice tipoff shot! That ref looking like he's falling backwards adds to it The other two are still missing the ball though..... but your starting to get sharper shots so thats a plus. Lighting and noise are better too Just remember with your shutter lag you shoot sooner than you think you need to. The best shooting shots have the ball on the finger tips. That wasn't too rough now

JS

[dhyravy]

Good job! I can definitely see improvement over your first set. I'm not a Canon shooter, but I'm thinking that the rebel has a continuous focus that will allow you to follow the action while constantly adjusting focus. On my Nikon I just hold the shutter button halfway down until I'm ready to shoot. That also reduces the shutter lag to almost none.

[JSPhoto]

Good job! I can definitely see improvement over your first set. I'm not a Canon shooter, but I'm thinking that the rebel has a continuous focus that will allow you to follow the action while constantly adjusting focus. On my Nikon I just hold the shutter button halfway down until I'm ready to shoot. That also reduces the shutter lag to almost none.

Unfortunately on the 300D that doesn't change the shutter lag, it's just plain Sllllooooowwww. I know, I used one for a backup and it just plain didn't cut it for my needs, even with the 70-200 USM IS it was so slow you could shoot and 1 second later it fired. I still got usable stuff out of it but I was so accustomed to the 1D it drove me nuts. Anyway you have to shoot early with the 300D to get the timing down and it takes a lot of practice., but it can be done. I really prefer the " * " for focus but unfortunately the 300D doesn't have that, besides being able to start and stop focus as needed it saves batery power.

JS

[BFiredup]

Thank you guys....nice to hear that there is improvement.....

If I were to upgrade my 300D....what canon do you recommend? I can't afford the top of the line, but give me your upgrade suggestions...Please...


Thanks again...

[JSPhoto]

That depends, maybe with a budget idea we could give some recommendations, but you don't have to go new either, you can get some very good gear used and save a lot of $$.

JS

[BFiredup]

I have been looking at used some used 1D Mark II.
But they seem to go fast also.....I was hoping to get something for under $1200. I have been checking out Ebay...any other suggestions.



Thanks again..

[JSPhoto]

I have been looking at used some used 1D Mark II.
But they seem to go fast also.....I was hoping to get something for under $1200. I have been checking out Ebay...any other suggestions.



Thanks again..

Not sure which model to have you check out. My feeling is from what you said the other day the 1D series would be too heavy, the 1D original and MKII and MKIIN are all 6lbs with the 70-200 on. The weight may be too much for you. I'd suggest going to a large camera store where you can handle different bodies and see which feels best to you. It may be too big for your habds too, although I have small hands many people with small hands have trouble with the large bodies. Add a flash to the 1D's and your close to at 7lbs, a lot to hold for hours on end...but it does build up the arm strrength!
Days like today where I shoot two games would be tough for you at those weights.

JS

[BFiredup]

Thank you JS, I appreciate all the info you have given me.
I do have some weakness in my left arm due to a medical problem...and it aches after shooting a couple of games....but I don't like to say UNCLE for any reason....

Someone reccomended the 40D....do you have any input about this camera?
Would it be fast enough? I am reading everything I can online about the different models.
I just don't want to get something and then be unhappy with it...

Thanks again for you kindness...

[livin4lax09]

talk to photojohn about the camera, i think he just got this camera. He shoots sports, and can help you.

Try stopping down your 85 to f/2 as well. at 85mm, your depth of field at f/1.8 is VERY short. f/2 may help a little bit, and it may also give you a bit more sharpness. Shooting with a 50mm at f/1.8 is tough enough, but 85 is even harder.

[BFiredup]

Thank you, I will try and send him a private message and see if he has any input.


Thanks for your help..
Tomorrow I have 2 games to go to.....so I will see how it goes....

[JSPhoto]

Thank you JS, I appreciate all the info you have given me.
I do have some weakness in my left arm due to a medical problem...and it aches after shooting a couple of games....but I don't like to say UNCLE for any reason....

Someone reccomended the 40D....do you have any input about this camera?
Would it be fast enough? I am reading everything I can online about the different models.
I just don't want to get something and then be unhappy with it...

Thanks again for you kindness...

I know the feeling.... well sort of, I lost feeling in my right hand 8 years ago following surgery on my neck for two crushed disks and I cannot hold the camera long with the right hand as it's very weak, so all the weight is on the left hand. I can't feel the buttons so I had t learn where everything is and on occassion I get the wrong one I have even hit the shutter button and never knw it, then wondered how the card filled so quick only to look back and find 50 frames of nothing or junk I didn't intend to shoot. The worst though are the times my neck really hurts and I loose all use of my right hand and can't shoot at all, for those times I have a remote switch and I can operate the camera one handed :thumbsup:
As for the 40D, I know it's a lot lighterbut not sure how it would do for sports or in a dark gym. It may be good for you to rent one for a day or two and try it out and see if you get the results you want or if it would be capable of doing so after some time before making a purchase. :thumbsup: Of course talking to other users helps, but actual use can't be beat.

JS

[gryphonslair99]

JSPhoto has a good suggestion. Rent a 40D and see what you think. Attached is an example I shot at a BBall game with my 40D with the 85 f1.8. Not the greatest action shot, but typical of the technical quality I am getting in a dark small collage gym.

College Basketball feedback?

[BFiredup]

JS sounds like you know exactly how I feel....although my problem may hopefully in the FAR future leave me without much use of my left side....but for right now, I have all the abilities needed, and that is what I focus on....

The next post...from gyrphonslair....the picture looks great....but can you get rapid shot speed with the Canon D40? I have read a lot of reviews about this camera and for sports action, there are mixed comments....just confuses me more.

I live in a very small area, that doesn't have any camera stores....I can travel a ways to Virginia Beach, Va. and MAYBE find someone who rents?? But I will have to look into that.

I am not looking to sell anything...I am just looking to take quality shots, that I share with all the kids on the team....something to remember me by, and making a nice collection for my son to have when he is grown and looks back. It gets to be expensive printing out all these photo's to give away, but I love the looks on their faces when they see what they look like on the court....

Thanks again for everyones input....

[JSPhoto]

There are places online you can rent from. I only know of personally because it's here in Indy http://www.robertsimaging.com/ They do ship so you could get it delivered to your door. The deposit isn't cheap but it's a good way to try something out. They do not list the 40D but you might be able to talk them into renting one, or try the 30D which is the one just before the 40D or try the 5D which is just a tad better in my opinion. I know one person who uses the 5D for sports and does OK with it. There may be cheaper optons elsewhere online, I never really checked as I when I rent I just go in to Roberts as they know me well
The 30D is $195 for a week ($1500 deposit) the 5D is $300 for a week and $2300 deposit.
Or, if you know a photographer see if you can borrow or rent from them.


JS

[gryphonslair99]

JS sounds like you know exactly how I feel....although my problem may hopefully in the FAR future leave me without much use of my left side....but for right now, I have all the abilities needed, and that is what I focus on....

The next post...from gyrphonslair....the picture looks great....but can you get rapid shot speed with the Canon D40? I have read a lot of reviews about this camera and for sports action, there are mixed comments....just confuses me more.

I live in a very small area, that doesn't have any camera stores....I can travel a ways to Virginia Beach, Va. and MAYBE find someone who rents?? But I will have to look into that.

I am not looking to sell anything...I am just looking to take quality shots, that I share with all the kids on the team....something to remember me by, and making a nice collection for my son to have when he is grown and looks back. It gets to be expensive printing out all these photo's to give away, but I love the looks on their faces when they see what they look like on the court....

Thanks again for everyones input....

I have not had any complaints. I shoot my 40D with the 85 f1.8 and my 30D with the 135 f2.0L and get satisfying results. This is just a serious hobby for me so I really cant justify spending the $ for a 1D MIII. I find the 40D focus a tad faster in general than my 30D. With that said, I think the 135 f2.0L is one of the very fastest focusing lens in the Canon line. So it makes up for the slightly slower 30D focus speed.

I do tend to bump the 85 up to 2.8 because of the narrow DOF at 1.8. I also tend not to shoot directly under the basket. I get off to the corner of the base line or to the sideline about even with the backboard.

Keep in mind, that if the players are coming directly at you, there is a very shallow DOF for the auto focus to try to track within. The action can move faster than the AF/Focus motor can work. With a wider DOF there is more in focus room for the AF to work in. If you shoot the action with the action at an angle to you the AF can keep up much better.

I also use the AE lock button on my 30D and 40D for focusing. IMO it makes focusing on action shots quicker although my batteries drain quicker.

I do see a marked improvement in your second shots over the first ones. Keep at it. The more you shoot, the more you get the hang of it. Indoor court events are one of the hardest things to shoot IMO. And most importantly, just have fun.

[BFiredup]

Well that sounds good.....I am going to check the 40D out....probably won't make the financial investment until after Christmas...Looking for the sales....

And thank you gryphonslair99 for the tips....I am off to shoot 2 more games tomorrow night, and BELIEVE me...I am having fun...I have been enjoying this more than I thought I ever would...I find myself counting the days til the next game. So different than being a Mom sitting in the stands, and cheering....now I am all over the place...one end of the court to the other. (of course home games I have a lot more leeway....since I graduated from there, and my husband is the coach)..Away games...well...I try not to offend anyone, the Refs can be really picky.....

Thanks again guys....

[JSPhoto]

Well that sounds good.....I am going to check the 40D out....probably won't make the financial investment until after Christmas...Looking for the sales....

And thank you gryphonslair99 for the tips....I am off to shoot 2 more games tomorrow night, and BELIEVE me...I am having fun...I have been enjoying this more than I thought I ever would...I find myself counting the days til the next game. So different than being a Mom sitting in the stands, and cheering....now I am all over the place...one end of the court to the other. (of course home games I have a lot more leeway....since I graduated from there, and my husband is the coach)..Away games...well...I try not to offend anyone, the Refs can be really picky.....

Thanks again guys....

Don't count too much on sales, especially for Nikon and Canon gear, they have the marke and rarely have sales, in fact your best bet may be now with Canon rebates still in effect. Other than that the prices won'r change much from seller to seller.

Having done this for the time I have one thing I have learned is that if you let the officials control you they will. Funny, since I got my first 1D the officials don't say a word. Now the officials know me by name and know I know the rules of what I can or can't do better than they do...even burned a couple coaches on that as well :thumbsup:
One thing I suggest is getting a copy of the state athletic associations rules, and if possible have a copy of them with you so if an official has an issue you can prove them right or wrong (normally they are wrong though ).

As for waiting till the next event, I won't have that problem this week, I have Monday off and then work the whole week with some days having multiple events... which means a nice Christmas check which I'll need for all my travels that weekwhich includes one or two games at the Worlds largets high school gym for the Hall of Fame Classic for basketball and a trip to Ft Wayne In for the USAC midgets indoors race.:thumbsup:
December is always busy
JS

[dhyravy]

Ladies and Genlemen, it appears we have officially been spammed! It seems like these overseas vendors really kick up around Christmas. What a PAIN!

[JSPhoto]

Don't worry, dropship-dvd boy should get drop kicked soon enough, the post was reported

JS

[BFiredup]

Well JS, I try not to cause any problems, being the coaches wife...don't want them to take it out on the team...LOL....

I will keep checking around at prices.....do you recommend a 8.1 megapixel or should I go the extra mile for the 11 or higher????

Sounds like you have a VERY busy week....but interesting for sure......can't wait to see some shots..

[dhyravy]

Don't get confused by the megapixel myth. The photosites on a DSLR sensor are much larger than a point and shoot type camera. Although more pixels may allow a slight advantage with cropping, I have printed 24"x36" prints from my 6.1 MP Nikon and they looked great. (a lot of that is the way my lab up-samples the image too) Pretty much any of the cameras mentioned in this thread will give superb quality prints.

[JSPhoto]

Well JS, I try not to cause any problems, being the coaches wife...don't want them to take it out on the team...LOL....

I will keep checking around at prices.....do you recommend a 8.1 megapixel or should I go the extra mile for the 11 or higher????

Sounds like you have a VERY busy week....but interesting for sure......can't wait to see some shots..

Megapixels won't help you, although a 2.1 m 1D (original) will give a better quality photo than a 4m 300D will due to the types of sensors and spacing of the pixeles, bigger isn't always better. I make 11x16 prints off 2.5m shots from the MKIIN, but it's because of the sensor size and the pixel size that allows bigger prints from such a small file size.

Yeah it will be a busy week, really busy...

John