Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

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lankyelectric
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p.1 #1 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

I'm headed to a Iowa Hawkeye football game one of these days. I was wondering what lenses people use? Also need to know if you use a tripod or a monopod. I have a 600, 70-200 to use for lenses. As far as tripods go I have a 3541 and a 5541. I would buy a monopod if needed. I'm working on a press pass and I'm pretty sure I will get one. This is just for fun as I would rather be shooting wildlife.

Thanks Chad

Oct 31, 2012 at 10:55 PM

Carl Auer
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p.1 #2 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

Sidelines are crowded. Full of photographers, video/tv, sound, NCAA people, boosters, friends of the programs, cheerleaders, mascots, dance teams, etc, etc. A tripod would not be a good idea. If it is a day game, definitely take the 600. If it is a night game you may want to look at renting a 300 2.8 or a 400 2.8. It looks like on your profile you have 2 bodies. Day game, 600 with one body on a monopod, 2nd body with 70-200 around your neck or over your shoulder. Problem is, that 600 is going to be great from about 50 yard line to the other endzone, and the 70-200 is going to be great from the endzone to about the 20 yard line, so you are going to miss about 30 yards of focus.

Good luck

Oct 31, 2012 at 11:24 PM

Caleb Williams
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p.1 #3 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

Don't bring a tripod to Kinnick stadium. There is very little room on the sidelines as it is.

Nov 01, 2012 at 02:08 PM

dankopp
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p.1 #4 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

I would be surprised if tripods are even allowed.

Nov 01, 2012 at 02:21 PM

lankyelectric
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p.1 #5 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

dankopp wrote:
I would be surprised if tripods are even allowed.

Thats what I was thinking that they are not even allowed.

Thanks to everybody.

Chad

Nov 01, 2012 at 08:55 PM

BobMarkey
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p.1 #6 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

Tripods will not be allowed. Bring a monopod.

You will have to stay between the end line and 20-yard-line (sometimes the 25), so the 70-200 will be used only when the action comes to you. I hope you have better luck with the police and team hangers-on who love to stand right on the sideline (instead of 3 feet back as the dashed lines indicate) and block your sight line every time there's a play down field near the close sideline.

I find a 300 (mine is an F/4L) to be great, although I would love a 400 or 600. With the longer lenses, you will be in the end zones, mostly, but the long lens can cause you to miss shots. You'll need the shorter zoom for plays right in front of you. Can you juggle?

Pay attention to the action. It's fast. Learn the teams' tendencies and plan ahead for the expected play.

Shoot the emotion on the sidelines, stands, band and cheerleader areas.

Try to get low for a better angle and to show some respect for those shooting and watching behind you.

You will be amazed at who gets credentials, including the Rebel shooter with the 15-55 kit lens, iPhone and iPad shooters, children with cell phones and more. ;-)

Enjoy!

Nov 02, 2012 at 05:51 AM

lankyelectric
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p.1 #7 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

BobMarkey wrote:
Tripods will not be allowed. Bring a monopod.

You will have to stay between the end line and 20-yard-line (sometimes the 25), so the 70-200 will be used only when the action comes to you. I hope you have better luck with the police and team hangers-on who love to stand right on the sideline (instead of 3 feet back as the dashed lines indicate) and block your sight line every time there's a play down field near the close sideline.

I find a 300 (mine is an F/4L) to be great, although I would love a 400 or 600. With the longer lenses, you will be in the end zones, mostly, but the long lens can cause you to miss shots. You'll need the shorter zoom for plays right in front of you. Can you juggle?

Pay attention to the action. It's fast. Learn the teams' tendencies and plan ahead for the expected play.

Shoot the emotion on the sidelines, stands, band and cheerleader areas.

Try to get low for a better angle and to show some respect for those shooting and watching behind you.

You will be amazed at who gets credentials, including the Rebel shooter with the 15-55 kit lens, iPhone and iPad shooters, children with cell phones and more. ;-)

Enjoy!

Gitzo GM3551 monopod and a Really Right Stuff head are ordered and on the way.

Thanks for your input Bob it is really appreciated.

Chad

Nov 02, 2012 at 09:32 PM

Scott Sewell
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p.1 #8 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

lankyelectric wrote:
Gitzo GM3551 monopod and a Really Right Stuff head are ordered and on the way.

Thanks for your input Bob it is really appreciated.

Chad

I am curious, why the RRS head? You can just screw the monopod right onto the lens collar. Personally, I use clamps and lens plates with all my big glass, but that's mainly so I can quickly take the lenses off/on the monopod. I personally wouldn't ever use any kind of ball head on a monopod. When I've seen them used the user is almost always struggling to keep them tightened down and they're flopping all over the place.

Either way, good luck!!

Nov 02, 2012 at 10:28 PM

lankyelectric
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p.1 #9 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

Scott Sewell wrote:
lankyelectric wrote:
Gitzo GM3551 monopod and a Really Right Stuff head are ordered and on the way.

Thanks for your input Bob it is really appreciated.

Chad

I am curious, why the RRS head? You can just screw the monopod right onto the lens collar. Personally, I use clamps and lens plates with all my big glass, but that's mainly so I can quickly take the lenses off/on the monopod. I personally wouldn't ever use any kind of ball head on a monopod. When I've seen them used the user is almost always struggling to keep them tightened down and they're flopping all over the place.

Either way, good luck!!

I don't know Scott. What do other people use? Whats the pros and cons to RRS head other than the cost of course?

Thanks for your 2 cents Scott.

Chad

Edited on Nov 03, 2012 at 06:56 PM · View previous versions

Nov 02, 2012 at 11:49 PM

Russ Isabella
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p.1 #10 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

I secure my biggest lens (300/2.8 or 400/2.8) directly to the monopod. I don't have a need to swap them while shooting, I prefer the direct connection with no middleman, and it works.

Nov 03, 2012 at 12:05 AM

lankyelectric
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p.1 #11 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

Russ Isabella wrote:
I secure my biggest lens (300/2.8 or 400/2.8) directly to the monopod. I don't have a need to swap them while shooting, I prefer the direct connection with no middleman, and it works.

Thanks for your input Russ

Nov 03, 2012 at 01:50 AM

Scott Sewell
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p.1 #12 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

I would say most people do what Russ described. Old habits are hard to break and I've always used clamps/plates.

Nov 03, 2012 at 02:30 AM

basehorhonda
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p.1 #13 · Shooting College Football for the 1ST time

I got one for my monopod when I first bought it and now I never use it. Like everyone said, just screw it directly onto the mono.

And yes, they will give credentials to just about anyone. I always shoot the NASCAR race in Kansas, I always find myself next to someone that is shooting pit stops with a point and shoot. This year, there was someone using a Iphone.

Nov 03, 2012 at 03:58 AM

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