p.1 #1 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
I pride myself in being fit enough to go up and down the football field, to shoot lying on the ground, on my knees etc... and wake up there next day to do it all over again. But I just got asked to cover a couple basketball tournaments this fall/winter that will require me to be on the court shooting from 10-5ish. I suspect that will take a few years off me.
Does anyone here use the chairs that I often see D1/NBA shooters using? I am aware of the most popular brands but just wondering what your experiences have been. I can set how the back support might be a welcome relief. I'm wondering if it caused you to cover the game differently? The NBA/D1 guys are sometimes space restricted so having a chair in ones glossy wood real estate makes sense-- but as a wild buffalo free to roam, I'm wondering what the tradeoffs are.
p.1 #2 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
You're either in it, or, out.
In that I mean a 30 X 30 pice of yoga mat rolled up is about as much as you may get away with depending on the venue, officials.
I feel ya too buddy. I'm not able to sit with my legs crossed leaning over for 3 minutes, let alone an entire game. I tend to get as low as I can leaning on the net support roller deal, or, prop myself up against something. This is a real issue I'm sorry you're faced with. Every year it's becoming more and more painful. I see guys a few years younger than me chuckling away at the old guy who can't sit.
The issue with these little chairs and stools is LIABILITY. If your deal causes a more serious collision than would have taken place had in not been there... Your in a word -- screwed. You'd never love your kit and seat fast enough should an impact be imminent.
p.1 #3 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
I bought one of these like 8 years ago and it still works like the day I bought it. You can adjust it to make it tighter and I tend to lean back a bit while I use it.
Similar to the one suggested by Andrew, but a bit cheaper. I like that I can roll mine up, and clip it to my backpack or throw it over my shoulder. It's soft, durable and I think a non-issue as far as liablity goes, especially if I'm in it. A lot of guys will also turn them upside down and put them over their cameras to protect them if they have to leave their spot for a second. Lastly, where I shoot it's first come, first serve, and you can put your chair down to reserve your spot and keep your camera gear out of the way.
Like John said, I would not be comfortable from a liability issue with a hard chair, but the TV crews use them on rollers, but they probably have really good insurance. :-)
p.1 #5 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
I use a CrazyCreek chair as well. With the NBA/NCAA the major requirement is that there are no exposed metal or fiberglass supports. With the CrazyCreek and most similar chairs the support are all internal and covered in padding. While you are sitting in the chair I don't see any logical way that the supports could cause any increased risk of injury for the player or yourself. I have been run into and rolled over several times by big NBA players and the majority of the time I ended up like a turtle on it's back.
After shooting March Madness last year I invested in one of these REI sit pads that has worked it's way into my regular NBA schedule this season. I add it to the CrazyCreek for extra padding on my rear. https://www.rei.com/product/845302/rei-sit-pad
CrazyCreek also makes an inflatable chair that I will probably move to once this setup wears out.
p.1 #6 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
Top Gun wrote:
I use a CrazyCreek chair as well. With the NBA/NCAA the major requirement is that there are no exposed metal or fiberglass supports. With the CrazyCreek and most similar chairs the support are all internal and covered in padding. While you are sitting in the chair I don't see any logical way that the supports could cause any increased risk of injury for the player or yourself. I have been run into and rolled over several times by big NBA players and the majority of the time I ended up like a turtle on it's back.
After shooting March Madness last year I invested in one of these REI sit pads that has worked it's way into my regular NBA schedule this season. I add it to the CrazyCreek for extra padding on my rear. https://www.rei.com/product/845302/rei-sit-pad
CrazyCreek also makes an inflatable chair that I will probably move to once this setup wears out.
I'm curious, how do you get down on the floor for an NBA game? I thought the only way to do that was to work for one of the big sports magazines or a news crew?
p.1 #7 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
I use a crazy creek with a thermarest cushion gaff taped in (very helpful on an all-day shoot). Regarding the floor on a pro game, most teams assign spots on the end line. Some "regulars" keep their assigned spot game to game. The only way I've seen a photographer get "a spot" is to be credentialed and on a current assignment.
p.1 #8 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
Assocracer wrote:
I'm curious, how do you get down on the floor for an NBA game? I thought the only way to do that was to work for one of the big sports magazines or a news crew?
I shoot for USA Today Sports Images, Reuters, and AP so I am credentialed for games. As Ralph mentions above...we are assigned positions at the arena I shoot in but are free to choose another location if the spot is open and the team photographer is cool with it. He is the one who assigns photo positions. Video is accredited and assigned their own positions. Usually one of the inside spots near the lane is where they sit.
p.1 #9 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
Top Gun wrote:
I shoot for USA Today Sports Images, Reuters, and AP so I am credentialed for games. As Ralph mentions above...we are assigned positions at the arena I shoot in but are free to choose another location if the spot is open and the team photographer is cool with it. He is the one who assigns photo positions. Video is accredited and assigned their own positions. Usually one of the inside spots near the lane is where they sit.
p.1 #10 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
Assocracer wrote:
Gotcha.
So you're one of the ones who gets upset when I complain that the NBA won't let me bring my camera and 70-200 f2.8 lens when I go to the games cause I feel that I should be allowed to take photos for my personal use.
p.1 #11 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
Do you all still sit cross-legged in these Crazy Creek chairs? I would think the fabric support straps that connect the seat and back would wear out quickly from the weight and push-back pressure.
p.1 #12 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
BobMarkey wrote:
Do you all still sit cross-legged in these Crazy Creek chairs? I would think the fabric support straps that connect the seat and back would wear out quickly from the weight and push-back pressure.
I do as do most of the guys / gals who use one. I push back pretty hard on mine and my Coleman's have yet to fail shooting about 40 games per season.
p.1 #13 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
Assocracer wrote:
So you're one of the ones who gets upset when I complain that the NBA won't let me bring my camera and 70-200 f2.8 lens when I go to the games cause I feel that I should be allowed to take photos for my personal use.
I show up, do my job and go home. Not really concerned with what cameras fans bring into the stadium. The NBA and the venue are the ones who care and regulate what the fans can and can't do.I would imagine that limiting what cameras fans can bring in is an easy way to keep them from taking photos and reselling them.
p.1 #14 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
Top Gun wrote: I show up, do my job and go home. Not really concerned with what cameras fans bring into the stadium. The NBA and the venue are the ones who care and regulate what the fans can and can't do.I would imagine that limiting what cameras fans can bring in is an easy way to keep them from taking photos and reselling them.
-Isaiah
All good. The NBA just wants you to buy pictures from them. I just thought I'd be a smart ass cause I mentioned it once before and someone jumped down my throat for wanting to take my own pictures instead of buying them. Isn't the point of this forum is that we are all photographers? I'd love to have your job though.
p.1 #15 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
Assocracer wrote:
All good. The NBA just wants you to buy pictures from them. I just thought I'd be a smart ass cause I mentioned it once before and someone jumped down my throat for wanting to take my own pictures instead of buying them. Isn't the point of this forum is that we are all photographers? I'd love to have your job though.
It's probably a combination of things...not necessarily just about picture sales but also about the overall brand and experience that the NBA provides.
Picture sales come from Getty Images as they have the contract for commercial sales for NBA games (also NHL, MLB, NASCAR, and maybe some others).
The bigger side of the way I see it is they are more concerned with the brand and experience that the NBA provides. At $50-$1500 per seat per game they want to ensure that everyone is having a pleasurable experience. Now here me out and this isn't a personal attack, some people don't want to be seated next to the guy shooting 10 frames a second every time a player is near him, or have a dslr and 70-200 crowding into their personal space. Generically limiting cameras to a certain length or specific lens size is one way to do this. With mirrorless and m4/3rds cameras this is less of an issue
and you can still get the same or better reach than a full frame w/70-200.
Another end of it is they want a quality product representing their brand, that's why they go with Getty who is the best. You may only use it for personal use but they have no control once you leave the stadium. Pursuing legal action against unauthorized photo usage gets expensive...limiting the camera at the gate is a much cheaper option.
No shame in wanting to get your own photos...thats what this place is for.
Perfect, thanks for posting! Now I know what to buy to use up some of my REI GCs that are laying around the house.
I'll be doing some local HS BB shoots this season was looking for something like this at a local store, no luck. In addition to the CrazyCreek, are you also wearing knee pads or simply cross-legged in the seat the entire game? My kneepads get a workout on the FB field but just wondering if they'll be a need for them in the gym for BB (first year shooting BB).
p.1 #17 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
mikephotos23 wrote:
Perfect, thanks for posting! Now I know what to buy to use up some of my REI GCs that are laying around the house.
I'll be doing some local HS BB shoots this season was looking for something like this at a local store, no luck. In addition to the CrazyCreek, are you also wearing knee pads or simply cross-legged in the seat the entire game? My kneepads get a workout on the FB field but just wondering if they'll be a need for them in the gym for BB (first year shooting BB).
-Mike
Mike,
REI makes a version of this chair as well...check the reviews for the current model on their website...I had an REI version when they first came out and it fell apart within a month, I have heard that they redid the design but I had already purchased a CrazyCreek by this point.
Big5 sporting goods also has a generic CrazyCreek style chair for about $10-15...I used one of those for two seasons before it started to go.
p.1 #18 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
Only credentialed photographers representing legitimate media organizations are permitted on the floor, such as the Associated Press, Reuters, the hometown newspaper where you reside, NBA photos, etc.
p.1 #20 · Anyone Use a "Floor Chair" for Basketball: Pros/Cons
So Crazy Creek chairs are good and a nice easy purchase, but if you're going to be traveling or just want to get a few inches up off the ground (which helps immensely with long term sitting) then you want to look at a Thermarest chair. They have a kit that folds one of their mattresses into a chair and it's extremely comfortable. I actually have two different one (one 20 inch wide, one 25 inch wide) for that extra comfort when no one is with me on the sidelines during games. Totally worth the investment since I shoot 80 games a year or so from the baseline.
