shooting sporting events

[Chewy734]

I'm going to a tourny game this afternoon (two actually). I was wondering how people are shooting decently framed photos without a large telephoto lens? I guess they opt to pay $500+/ticket to get closer seats, but most of us don't have that kind of cash. I have decent seats, but I'm sitting pretty far up. Any suggestions? Or am I basically screwed and should I just take a point-and-shoot and hope for the best?

[rodi]

plan in advance and rent a 300mm f/2.8 for under $100? use a monopod.
lol, do they let you take this kind of equipment in there without a press pass?

[Chewy734]

Yeah that would be nice. I decided to risk it and take my tele with me. I got stopped at the security gates. The cop looks at me and smiles and says "seriously?" I said GO BUCKS! He tells me I can go through

I'll post some pics from the game later tonight if I have a chance.

[The1]

which lens?

i take my bag with me just about everywhere with 2 cameras and all my lenses, nobody even looks twice when doing security checks.

i do get some funny looks from people when i have my 100-400 attatched to one of my bodies, but i just ignor it and make sure i put it right across their line of site to see if i can get more funny looks (just kidding about the last part)

[Chewy734]

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

They weren't allowing people to bring bags (except purses), inspecting everything, and lenses over 4" weren't allowed on the premises. More and more venues seem to be doing this, which really puts a hamper on things.

[scollins]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

They weren't allowing people to bring bags (except purses), inspecting everything, and lenses over 4" weren't allowed on the premises. More and more venues seem to be doing this, which really puts a hamper on things.

Stuff it down your pants, and then say "yeah, it really is that big" with a straight face...

[Chewy734]

Originally Posted by scollins

Stuff it down your pants, and then say "yeah, it really is that big" with a straight face...

They would take one look at me and be like "yeah.. riiiight. Now strip son."

Btw, I did find that Canon made one single telephoto lens under 4" in length:
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

Anyone play around with it? Is it worth it?

[InCityPhoto]

Bring a 70-200 in a oxygen bag, stuff those little things in your nose and when you walk through just say "go (team of arena)"

Works 100% of the time.

[The1]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

They would take one look at me and be like "yeah.. riiiight. Now strip son."

Btw, I did find that Canon made one single telephoto lens under 4" in length:
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

Anyone play around with it? Is it worth it?

read a review out of curiosity of it. few plus's and munus's about it.

pro - very light weight, very compact, and pretty decent quality

cons - at wide open f-stops, it gets a halo effect on things, and out of focus stuff turns out really round with a bullseye look in the middle of it (like having a light out of focus)

solution, shoot at about F8 or higher.

aparently the person doing the review liked that subjects getting their pictures taken seemed more comfortable around the smaller lens because it's less imposing.


to me, seems like a lot of money for something you can't use at wide F-stops, but on the other hand, it's clearer then most non-L series stuff, and it's very light weight.

if you do a lot of sports events with great lighting, go for it.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by scollins

Stuff it down your pants, and then say "yeah, it really is that big" with a straight face...

I did this at a dave matthews concert at soldier field once. had a 75-150mm lens for my canon ae-1. worked like a charm.

[Chewy734]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

I did this at a dave matthews concert at soldier field once. had a 75-150mm lens for my canon ae-1. worked like a charm.

How big was it... about 3"? sounds about right.

[UdubBadger]

..... from the FLOOR!

[UdubBadger]

no but in all honesty, it was about the same size as the 70-300 IS commonly found today, I was wearing some baggy shorts so they didn't notice. Not really thinking too many security guards eye ball my crotchal region.

[Chewy734]

My problem was that the metal detectors went off. Can't hide a 6" lens in the crotch region when that happens.

[leemik]

you should check ahead to see if they will let the lens in.. I tried to bring a big lens in to some local games (Canon 70-200)... I found that Celtics and Bruins no DSLR's allowed.. same with Patriots<-- they were the most strict ironically Red Sox, they could care less what you bring in *BUT* the seats are so cramped a 70-200 intruded on some people's personal space..

I did get some $250 seats at Fenway once .. 3 rows back right next to dugout and the 70-200 2.8 IS was stellar.. night game too! best sports pictures I ever took mostly because of the seats.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

My problem was that the metal detectors went off. Can't hide a 6" lens in the crotch region when that happens.

ah yeah, not metal detectors at the one i went to.