Football Match with the DA* 300mm
191 posts
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Posted 28/10/2012 - 01:49
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Posted 28/10/2012 - 06:05
I love #1. Man with a football head 
Acutely I like all the shots. Capturing dynamic action is wonderful
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Acutely I like all the shots. Capturing dynamic action is wonderful
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
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Posted 28/10/2012 - 08:49
They are all very well captured but No. 2 is my favourite because of the angle of the main players and the attitude of the two in the background.
David
PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout
PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout
David
PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout
PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout
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Posted 28/10/2012 - 10:22
cabstar wrote:
Love number 2, how fast did you find the focussing? Where they taken at f/4??
Love number 2, how fast did you find the focussing? Where they taken at f/4??
Yes, they were taken at f/4. I set it at f/4 and then forgot all about it, hoping the inherent sharpness of the lens wide open would be good enough but next time I'll experiment by taking some at f/5.6 if I have the light.
As far as the focusing goes then it seemed plenty fast enough to me. I tend to track the play, constantly focusing so that when I need to press the shutter fully only a small shift in focus is needed. I only use the center focus spot so my real problem is making sure the center spot is kept over the player that I want. Occasionally where I used the quick burst I notice that the first image is slightly out of focus and the subsequent ones are in so this could be the AF not reacting quickly enough but to be honest I find it difficult to tell if the error is technique rather than technical limitations. I think I will have a better idea when I've done more matches, which I intend to do.
I also wondered how you managed to comment on the photos before I uploaded them and then realised the clocks went back!
Roy
My PPG link
K-3, K-5 + D-BG4 Grip, Pentax: FA 50 1.4, DA* 300, Sigma 70-200 2.8 Macro HSM II, Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX DC, Metz 58 AF-1
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Posted 28/10/2012 - 12:11
Ah I wondered that about the post appearing first.
Sounds like you use the same technique I use for football.
I am regretting that dithering over the amazon price mistake now...
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Sounds like you use the same technique I use for football.
I am regretting that dithering over the amazon price mistake now...
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Link
Posted 28/10/2012 - 12:20
Great shots, that lens really is a star performer. I also like No2 the best.
Regards
David
Flickr
Nicola's Apartments, Kassiopi, Corfu
Some cameras, some lenses, some bits 'n' bobs
Regards
David
Flickr
Nicola's Apartments, Kassiopi, Corfu
Some cameras, some lenses, some bits 'n' bobs
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Posted 28/10/2012 - 14:23
cabstar wrote:
Ah I wondered that about the post appearing first.
Sounds like you use the same technique I use for football.
I am regretting that dithering over the amazon price mistake now...
Ah I wondered that about the post appearing first.
Sounds like you use the same technique I use for football.
I am regretting that dithering over the amazon price mistake now...
Whilst it's great for midfield action when you are at one end of the pitch it doesn't have the flexibility of a zoom when the action moves into the penalty box at the end where I was sitting. On the other hand the Sigma 70-200mm is not weather-sealed so I'd be worried about protecting it in wet weather. My ideal would be a mythical WR DA* 70-200mm f/2.8 on one body and the DA* 300mm on another. I am considering getting the DA* 200mm instead of the Sigma though.
How do you find using the 50-135mm for football? Does it have the reach or do you tend to use the Tokina 100-300mm?
My PPG link
K-3, K-5 + D-BG4 Grip, Pentax: FA 50 1.4, DA* 300, Sigma 70-200 2.8 Macro HSM II, Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX DC, Metz 58 AF-1
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Posted 28/10/2012 - 18:53
I use the 100-300 on one body the 50-135 on the other. The 50-135 works great behind the goal line.
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
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Posted 29/10/2012 - 01:50
cabstar wrote:
I use the 100-300 on one body the 50-135 on the other. The 50-135 works great behind the goal line.
I use the 100-300 on one body the 50-135 on the other. The 50-135 works great behind the goal line.
Hmmm.... Food for thought on the 50-135
My PPG link
K-3, K-5 + D-BG4 Grip, Pentax: FA 50 1.4, DA* 300, Sigma 70-200 2.8 Macro HSM II, Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX DC, Metz 58 AF-1
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Posted 29/10/2012 - 02:53
For an idea of focal length here is a shot at 100mm on the 50-135mm from the photo area behind the goal at Old Trafford.
Kick taken just in front of penalty box line.
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
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Kick taken just in front of penalty box line.
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
Last Edited by cabstar on 29/10/2012 - 02:56
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Posted 29/10/2012 - 07:52
rscoote wrote:
Whilst it's great for midfield action when you are at one end of the pitch it doesn't have the flexibility of a zoom when the action moves into the penalty box at the end where I was sitting. On the other hand the Sigma 70-200mm is not weather-sealed so I'd be worried about protecting it in wet weather. My ideal would be a mythical WR DA* 70-200mm f/2.8 on one body and the DA* 300mm on another. I am considering getting the DA* 200mm instead of the Sigma though.
How do you find using the 50-135mm for football? Does it have the reach or do you tend to use the Tokina 100-300mm?
cabstar wrote:
Ah I wondered that about the post appearing first.
Sounds like you use the same technique I use for football.
I am regretting that dithering over the amazon price mistake now...
Ah I wondered that about the post appearing first.
Sounds like you use the same technique I use for football.
I am regretting that dithering over the amazon price mistake now...
Whilst it's great for midfield action when you are at one end of the pitch it doesn't have the flexibility of a zoom when the action moves into the penalty box at the end where I was sitting. On the other hand the Sigma 70-200mm is not weather-sealed so I'd be worried about protecting it in wet weather. My ideal would be a mythical WR DA* 70-200mm f/2.8 on one body and the DA* 300mm on another. I am considering getting the DA* 200mm instead of the Sigma though.
How do you find using the 50-135mm for football? Does it have the reach or do you tend to use the Tokina 100-300mm?
Firstly nice shots ! The DA*300 is one of my favourite Pentax lenses.
Wet weather - get yourself a weather jacket for whatever non-WR lenses you use, cheap and they work, Pros at football matches still have to get their shots !
I was hired as part of a 4 man (and woman) team for the Shanghai Sevens last month (I also shot it last year). Last year I used the Sigma 50-150/2.8 and DA*300 (with and without the AFA x1.7, mostly with) and it worked out just fine, all AF systems will miss some shots, your settings are just as, if not more, important (f5.6 or mostly f8, TAv and preferably 1/500 - 1/1250).
This year I used the D800 & Sigma 500mm with the K5 and 50-150mm and it was the perfect set-up (for me). Forget about crop factor (since with the resolution of the D800 you can virtually crop as deep as you want to go).
I'd recommend a similar set-up on the K5, a 50-150 (if you can find one) as the AF is significantly faster than the 50-135 and a 500mm (the AFA works great on the DA*300 since you are using it at longer distances it is always at infinity and the AF is virtually instantaneous) for when the players are on the opposite side or end of the pitch.
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
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Posted 29/10/2012 - 22:22
cabstar wrote:
For an idea of focal length here is a shot at 100mm on the 50-135mm from the photo area behind the goal at Old Trafford.
Kick taken just in front of penalty box line.
For an idea of focal length here is a shot at 100mm on the 50-135mm from the photo area behind the goal at Old Trafford.
Kick taken just in front of penalty box line.
Thanks. I remember seeing (and very much liking) this on your Socceraid post.
Frogfish wrote:
Firstly nice shots ! The DA*300 is one of my favourite Pentax lenses.
Wet weather - get yourself a weather jacket for whatever non-WR lenses you use, cheap and they work, Pros at football matches still have to get their shots !
I was hired as part of a 4 man (and woman) team for the Shanghai Sevens last month (I also shot it last year). Last year I used the Sigma 50-150/2.8 and DA*300 (with and without the AFA x1.7, mostly with) and it worked out just fine, all AF systems will miss some shots, your settings are just as, if not more, important (f5.6 or mostly f8, TAv and preferably 1/500 - 1/1250).
This year I used the D800 & Sigma 500mm with the K5 and 50-150mm and it was the perfect set-up (for me). Forget about crop factor (since with the resolution of the D800 you can virtually crop as deep as you want to go).
I'd recommend a similar set-up on the K5, a 50-150 (if you can find one) as the AF is significantly faster than the 50-135 and a 500mm (the AFA works great on the DA*300 since you are using it at longer distances it is always at infinity and the AF is virtually instantaneous) for when the players are on the opposite side or end of the pitch.
Firstly nice shots ! The DA*300 is one of my favourite Pentax lenses.
Wet weather - get yourself a weather jacket for whatever non-WR lenses you use, cheap and they work, Pros at football matches still have to get their shots !
I was hired as part of a 4 man (and woman) team for the Shanghai Sevens last month (I also shot it last year). Last year I used the Sigma 50-150/2.8 and DA*300 (with and without the AFA x1.7, mostly with) and it worked out just fine, all AF systems will miss some shots, your settings are just as, if not more, important (f5.6 or mostly f8, TAv and preferably 1/500 - 1/1250).
This year I used the D800 & Sigma 500mm with the K5 and 50-150mm and it was the perfect set-up (for me). Forget about crop factor (since with the resolution of the D800 you can virtually crop as deep as you want to go).
I'd recommend a similar set-up on the K5, a 50-150 (if you can find one) as the AF is significantly faster than the 50-135 and a 500mm (the AFA works great on the DA*300 since you are using it at longer distances it is always at infinity and the AF is virtually instantaneous) for when the players are on the opposite side or end of the pitch.
Thanks - that's helpful. I have the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG Macro HSM II - would this be similar AF speed to the 50-150? The 70-200 seems pretty good to me and I have used an Optech rainsleeve but just find it a bit of a faff.
The converter is a good option since action right at the other end definitely needs cropping.
My backup body is a K100D so it would be ideal to have two K-5s. I am approaching this with the mentality of trying to capture everything - as a real Pro would - but I do have the option of maybe just concentrating on getting a particular type of image since I'm not being commissioned to do this.
I'm going to go to a few more games with my current setup (possibly I'll look for an AFA 1.7x or Pz-AF 1.4x)and improve my technique and start introducing more creativity if I can. Then I'll review my equipment wish list.
My PPG link
K-3, K-5 + D-BG4 Grip, Pentax: FA 50 1.4, DA* 300, Sigma 70-200 2.8 Macro HSM II, Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX DC, Metz 58 AF-1
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cabstar
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Grimsby, UK
PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released