All Forum Comments
Comment by rscoote posted on Recommend me a shoulder strap please? at 03/12/2012 - 22:26
dinneenp wrote:
A few people have recommended Black Rapid- link
Anyone have used these & have an opinion?
I have a Black Rapid RS4 and really like it. It's much more comfortable for me when I've got a big lens (300mm F4 or Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 ). Can keep it ready at my side and even push it behind my back when moving through crowds. Find it easy to bring up to the eye. Even with smaller lenses I hated having the camera bouncing around on my chest so this is a great solution for me.A few people have recommended Black Rapid- link
Anyone have used these & have an opinion?
Some people are worried about the tripod socket connector working loose but it's been fine for me.
Comment by rscoote posted on Wanted: Shoulder strap at 03/12/2012 - 22:21
cabstar wrote:
I have an afa 1.7x for dale in the classifieds
Thanks Gary but my wallet is still reeling from my unexpected purchase of the DA* 300mm from Amazon so I'll have to leave it for a little while.I have an afa 1.7x for dale in the classifieds
Comment by rscoote posted on Football Match with the DA* 300mm at 30/10/2012 - 00:16
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.
Thanks. I remember seeing (and very much liking) this on your Socceraid post.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.
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.
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.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.
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.
Comment by rscoote posted on Football Match with the DA* 300mm at 29/10/2012 - 22:22
Mine also came a couple of days earlier than estimated but for me it just meant a quick trip to the local sorting office the following day.
Comment by rscoote posted on Amazon delivery time for that 300 DA* at 29/10/2012 - 12:26
Guys, thank you for looking at my pictures and taking the time to give me feedback.
Cheers,
Roy
Cheers,
Roy
Comment by rscoote posted on Football Match with the DA* 300mm at 29/10/2012 - 01:54
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.
Hmmm.... Food for thought on the 50-135I use the 100-300 on one body the 50-135 on the other. The 50-135 works great behind the goal line.
Comment by rscoote posted on Football Match with the DA* 300mm at 29/10/2012 - 01:50
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...
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.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...
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?
Comment by rscoote posted on Football Match with the DA* 300mm at 28/10/2012 - 14:23
cabstar wrote:
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.Love number 2, how fast did you find the focussing? Where they taken at f/4??
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
Comment by rscoote posted on Football Match with the DA* 300mm at 28/10/2012 - 10:22
Here are some images taken today with my newly acquired DA* 300mm f4 (Thank you errant Amazon pricing bot!)
...and a couple with my Sigma 70-200mm f2.8
...and a couple with my Sigma 70-200mm f2.8
Comment by rscoote posted on Football Match with the DA* 300mm at 28/10/2012 - 01:49
And I make 3 voting for the BR RS4.