Varsity Basketball

[fidgety]

A few images from tonights game. Shot with a Canon 1D Mark IIN, 70-200 2.8L, aperture priority of 2.8 at ISO 1600.

[dhyravy]

Really great action here. These have pretty good color for available light in a HS gym. The focus is sharp which is the main mistake most folks make when shooting fast moving sports like BB and FB. Nice work!

[fidgety]

Really great action here. These have pretty good color for available light in a HS gym. The focus is sharp which is the main mistake most folks make when shooting fast moving sports like BB and FB. Nice work!

Thanks, much. This was my first shoot with my Canon 1D Mark IIN so I have quite a bit to learn about what this camera's strong points are. I thought my white balance was off a tad as I shot at 3100 K, which is what I normally shoot in this gym with my 40D. Have to make a few adjustments to that with the Mark II.

[dhyravy]

I'm not a big fan of the kelvin WB presets in general. I use a Custom WB taken just before each game. Since I often use 2 bodies during a game this gives me more consistent color between the two.

[fidgety]

I've tried custom WB in this gym but have gotten inconsistent results. The 3100 K has wroked weel for my 40D but I'm going to have to tweak the Mark II to get it looking a bit more natural.

[SmartWombat]

Nice expressions and great tongue out in the last shot

I found my 1D took a while to learn, but now going back to the 20D I am lost !
I usually shoot with auto WB and then compensate later in Lightroom.

My Autosport pictures look just plain odd, with a mixture of Sodium, Mercury, Tungsten, and Daylight there is little hope of a consistent WB for all parts of the exhibition hall

[BFiredup]

Hey everyone, I have been out of the loop for a long time....but I am going to try and get out and shoot my sons basketball game tomorrow night....will be the first one I have even been able to go see this year...(work has been killing me)...so I am really out of practice....I will be using the same lens as you guys just used...but the 40D....do you use any flash with these?...of just the high ISO?...I shot basketball all last year....but mostly used the 85mm....1.4....but going to use the 70-200 2.8L tomorrow night and see how I do....

[JETA]

These are so sharp and clear.

I've only shot in a gym a few times and wb was my biggest issue. I never tried the kelvin settings though.... Hmmmmm....

Do you find the 70-200 is too long a lot of the time while shooting b-ball? I value your opinion because your proof is in your work.

I'm considering buying a shorter f/2.8 lens, but they are not cheap.

[fidgety]

These are so sharp and clear.

I've only shot in a gym a few times and wb was my biggest issue. I never tried the kelvin settings though.... Hmmmmm....

Do you find the 70-200 is too long a lot of the time while shooting b-ball? I value your opinion because your proof is in your work.

I'm considering buying a shorter f/2.8 lens, but they are not cheap.

I'm very comfortable with my 70-200 as I've been using it for years and don't think it is too long as I can get shots of the point guard bringing the ball down the floor or if a team is running a press I can get some images from midcourt with it.
I'm starting to use my 24-70 2.8L as well as my 85 1.8 from under the basket and have been happy with the images I've been getting.
I would definitely recommend getting the 70-200 2.8L as it's a workhorse in this industry. It costs a few bucks but so does any good glass.

[JETA]

Thank you! I own the 70-200 f/2.8 and I've worked that sucker to death. Love it. I just found when I was shooting b-ball (and I'm very inexperienced with this sport) I felt it was too long a lot of the time. However, I probably didn't try hard enough or change positions much.

I keep wondering about adding the 24-70 f.2.8L to my lenses, but just worry for the money I might not really need it with the lenses I already own....

Thank you for the info.

[fidgety]

Thank you! I own the 70-200 f/2.8 and I've worked that sucker to death. Love it. I just found when I was shooting b-ball (and I'm very inexperienced with this sport) I felt it was too long a lot of the time. However, I probably didn't try hard enough or change positions much.

I keep wondering about adding the 24-70 f.2.8L to my lenses, but just worry for the money I might not really need it with the lenses I already own....

Thank you for the info.

I think the 24-70 2.8L is a fab lens and I'm been very happy with it. I thought about it alot before I bought it as I wasn't sure if I should get the 16-35 or the 24-70 but am glad I got it. As usual for Canon L glass, it's heavy and a tank but sharp as a tack.

[JETA]

I think the 24-70 2.8L is a fab lens and I'm been very happy with it. I thought about it alot before I bought it as I wasn't sure if I should get the 16-35 or the 24-70 but am glad I got it. As usual for Canon L glass, it's heavy and a tank but sharp as a tack.

That lens makes me drool.

I have the 17-40 f/4L and the 24-105 f/4L, so I'm trying to figure out if I really need it.... I know I want it, but do I need it? lol

[fidgety]

I think my 24-70 fits in perfectly to my lens collection. After the 24-70 2.8L I have a 70-200 2.8L and also a 300 2.8L. I also use an 85 1.8 on occassion and also have a 1.4TC if I need a bit extra reach. With those three lenses I have everything I need to shoot sporting events. Of course, a 400 2.8L would be nice but I also have my sons college tuition bills coming in.