p.3 #3 · Recommended 400-500mm Telephoto Lenses for Sports Photography
Scott Sewell wrote:
Thanks for mentioning those other factors that always play a part in those buttery backgrounds.
IMO, it's a bit disingenuous when people only mention shooting wide open as a way to get nice bokeh. It's always much more than that. I've used my Canon 200-800 and have images at 800mm shot at f9 and I guarantee people would think they were shot with a f2.8 lens.
Here's a video I made about this topic that might help others understand this.
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This video should be titled "Reality check: What a 400/2.8 CAN'T do". The f/2.8 vs f/11 comparison will shock some. I think most people assume the lens is going to just churn out images with creamy, blurred backgrounds as long as they're shooting at f/2.8. I was one of those people until I rented one about 10yrs ago.
Your video perfectly illustrates how the aperture is maybe 20% of the equation, with subject distance and distance between subject and background being primarily responsible for the bokeh. You can't deny the light gathering benefits, but for the amateur/hobbyist obsessed with bokeh, they may be equally happy saving the $12k+ and simply finding a better location on the field that puts some distance between the subject and background.
p.3 #4 · Recommended 400-500mm Telephoto Lenses for Sports Photography
MMP wrote:
This video should be titled "Reality check: What a 400/2.8 CAN'T do". The f/2.8 vs f/11 comparison will shock some. I think most people assume the lens is going to just churn out images with creamy, blurred backgrounds as long as they're shooting at f/2.8. I was one of those people until I rented one about 10yrs ago.
Your video perfectly illustrates how the aperture is maybe 20% of the equation, with subject distance and distance between subject and background being primarily responsible for the bokeh. You can't deny the light gathering benefits, but for the amateur/hobbyist obsessed with bokeh, they may be equally happy saving the $12k+ and simply finding a better location on the field that puts some distance between the subject and background....Show more →
I feel like I am a broken record when I question why people always shoot at f2.8 when exposure doesn't require it. That's the sole reason I have fast glass...because as a sports photographer one is very frequently (more often than not!) shooting in low-light conditions that require fast glass for exposure. The bokeh part is a bonus, IMO.
Thanks for watching and commenting about the video.
