I posted several days ago asking what people would prefer for outdoor sports shooting (soccer, football, baseball, track, etc.).
At that time I thought I had approximately $6,000 to spend and asked for advice on how to spend it. Now reality has given me a swift kick in the rear and my "wife adjusted budget" is approximately $4,000.
I have a 5D and 20D, 70-200 2.8IS & 85 1.8
Given my equipment and what I want to take pictures of what makes the most sense?
1. 20D + 300 2.8 IS
2. 1D Mark II + Sigma 120-300 2.8
3. 1D Mark IIN + 300 4 IS
4. Forget about sports and stick to portraits
minatophase3 wrote:
Now reality has given me a swift kick in the rear and my "wife adjusted budget" is approximately $4,000.
IMO you should consider renegotiating the camera budget ..... start by getting naked and bring her a few beers. It's unlikely, but if the beer and romance approach fails, then I would consider a 1DmkIIN, 70-200 (f/4L, either with or without IS) and a "just in case" 1.4X converter.
Note 1, you won't need the IS while shooting action sports but IS will be a REAL benefit for any static objects. Note 2, without the 1.4X the combo I've suggested above will acquire focus quickly and track quite well (things will be a little slower with the 1.4X in place).
Please let us know how the beer and XXX works out for you. :-)
jkurkjia wrote:
IMO you should consider renegotiating the camera budget ..... start by getting naked and bring her a few beers. It's unlikely, but if the beer and romance approach fails, then I would consider a 1DmkIIN, 70-200 (f/4L, either with or without IS) and a "just in case" 1.4X converter.
Note 1, you won't need the IS while shooting action sports but IS will be a REAL benefit for any static objects. Note 2, without the 1.4X the combo I've suggested above will acquire focus quickly and track quite well (things will be a little slower with the 1.4X in place).
Please let us know how the beer and XXX works out for you. :-)
I like the way you think, the only problem is that my wife is 4 months pregnant! But it still sounds fun, I can get naked and drink beer by myself, and if I drink enough I'll forget about the romance part.
I already have the 70-200 2.8IS and a Sigma 1.4 tc so I've got those bases covered.
The 300 2.8 and a 1.4x teleconverter. If you run over budget by a hundred or so, make it worth her while - we're all sure you can think of something . . . .
Sell the 20d (net about $450 on the sale probably)
Buy the 300mm f/2.8L IS (one of the very best lenses, ever)
Buy the 40d
300mm +$3,500
40d +$1,000
20d -$450
Total outlay: $4,050. Save up a little money for the 1.4x and 2x TCs for longer reach.
I use the 300mm and a 40d for sports and it's a potent combination. Is the 40d as good as a 1D II, 1D 11N?.. probably not but it's smaller, lighter, and almost as fast. In my opinion, unless you're working for a magazine and covering pro sports where your livelihood and reputation are at risk then you will be pretty happy with the 40d for sports.
My wife needs to talk to your wife on a daily basis.... Currenlty I get $0 for photography... .
By the way congret on new baby.. 85L seems interesting for taking pics with your new child... (this is what I would do)
Going back to your question, sell the 20d and get the 40d plus 300 2.8 IS. Same battery, 6 fps & longer reach.
T
Thanks for the congrats! The 85L was just sold to help fund my new sports gear, but I still have the 85 1.8 so I should get pictures that are about 90% as good .
I will have to take a look at the 40D, might be a good alternative and less expensive.
And the only reason I get a budget for photography is that I am trying to make a living at it so I can justify purchasing new gear as a business expense, at least that is my justification. The problem is that I make money with the portrait side of things and probably won't make a lot of money at the sports side so this falls a bit into a different category for gear purchase.
40D AF should be pretty good but AI Servo tracking is not in the same class as a 1-series camera because of the low AF sensor density. A 1-series with say 7-point AF expansion will stick to a moving subject like glue.
The 20D is not a sports camera. The AF is inferior in capability and speed. For action sports you want a fast AF that can track well.
The 300 f/2.8 works well with one or two 1.4x TCs. Don't get a 2x because it limits your options in terms of high precision AF if you have a 1-series camera. Doesn't matter so much with a 40D as any TC on an f/2.8 lens will cancel high precision AF.
Normally if you use a long lens and a large aperture you get a small DOF. At the distances you'd shoot for sport the DOF is enough to capture the subject and blur the background. Rarely can you eliminate the background and so blurring it is the next best thing. That's why so many pros use a 400 f/2.8 IS on a 1D2 or similar. Mind you, they also have the second camera for backup and have something like a 70-200 on it for when the players get too close to use a 400.
If you are going to do sports shooting for a living then you need to spend the money that will let you compete effectively. That could mean waiting longer and saving more. Otherwise you should remember that it's only a hobby and consider spending the $4,000 more wisely
Alan321 wrote:
40D AF should be pretty good but AI Servo tracking is not in the same class as a 1-series camera because of the low AF sensor density. A 1-series with say 7-point AF expansion will stick to a moving subject like glue.
The 20D is not a sports camera. The AF is inferior in capability and speed. For action sports you want a fast AF that can track well.
The 300 f/2.8 works well with one or two 1.4x TCs. Don't get a 2x because it limits your options in terms of high precision AF if you have a 1-series camera. Doesn't matter so much with a 40D as any TC on an f/2.8 lens will cancel high precision AF.
Normally if you use a long lens and a large aperture you get a small DOF. At the distances you'd shoot for sport the DOF is enough to capture the subject and blur the background. Rarely can you eliminate the background and so blurring it is the next best thing. That's why so many pros use a 400 f/2.8 IS on a 1D2 or similar. Mind you, they also have the second camera for backup and have something like a 70-200 on it for when the players get too close to use a 400.
If you are going to do sports shooting for a living then you need to spend the money that will let you compete effectively. That could mean waiting longer and saving more. Otherwise you should remember that it's only a hobby and consider spending the $4,000 more wisely
Thanks for the write up, it is all very good advise. I guess my main problem is that while I would like to add this to my service offerings and make money at it, I don't know if that is going to happen.
I have recently signed a small middle school (approx 100 students) and I will be doing their standard school photos. Along with that I will also be doing all of their sports T&I shots and will be their sports action photographer. I am also talking to a few other schools for this same opportunity. If all goes well then I probably could make some money doing this, but again, nothing concrete yet.
It probably makes sense to try and use the best equipment possible as I will only get one chance to make that first season impression.
I think another meeting with the wife is in order.
Update: I just purchased a very nice used 1D Mark II, should have it next week! I have also renegotiated with my wife, looks like there will be enough left in the budget for the 300 2.8IS as well!
I think the next step is to learn how to use the camera and then rent the lens to make sure it is what I want. I am also interested in the Sigma if I can find one for the right price.
Can anyone recommend a good monopod that can hold the weight of the 300? I currently have one but it is only rated for about 6 pounds, I think I can just replace the head on it but I would have to look as I haven't used it for a long time.
minatophase3 wrote:
Update: I just purchased a very nice used 1D Mark II, should have it next week! I have also renegotiated with my wife, looks like there will be enough left in the budget for the 300 2.8IS as well!
Tim
Spend it now before your family expands, there won't be much left then
My only comment on the thread is that I tried hard to shoot sport with a 20D and the focusing just wasn't up to it. Your purchase of the 1D2 was very wise. Expect loads of extra sharpening though, 1D2's are inherently quite soft (fine after PP though)
The 5D is, of course, brilliant, but not a sport camera.
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