Sports Photography Questions

[Jensers]

Hey all -

I guess I am not 'sharing my shots' here so perhaps this is a poor place for this, but hopefully it is fine.

Question 1:

Anyone have any tips on where to position for getting quality linebacker shots?

I was shooting a linebacker the other night (First time for this position) and I had a very hard time getting anything decent. Most of the images are of him just standing around because when the action starts LB's are always in the middle of a group. Any tips?

I did not try the end of the end zone - Come to think of it, that probably would have been best... duh.

Question 2:

Off brand lens? I have been shooting a Canon 70-200 2.8 Non-IS for a while... I am a teacher for my day job so I just grab it from the art room, but now that I am getting paid to shoot more often than not - I am really feeling guilty about it.
As such I have been looking at some of the off brand lenses in this same configuration.
Am I just being cheap or are the off brand lenses in this group a good way to save a few bucks?
I have known several people that use off brand lenses for other styles of photography and they love 'em.

I better leave an image. I wish I didnt cut off his foot, but here is one from the other night:

[Jim Fox]

I used the Sigma 70-200/2.8 for several years until I could bump up to the Canon 70-200/2.8 IS. It served me well and shot a lot of soccer, some softball and basketball. Never tried it on Football, but it did well for me. I think the Bokah on the Canon is a little sweeter.

[73rocks]

Originally Posted by Jim Fox

I used the Sigma 70-200/2.8 for several years until I could bump up to the Canon 70-200/2.8 IS. It served me well and shot a lot of soccer, some softball and basketball. Never tried it on Football, but it did well for me. I think the Bokah on the Canon is a little sweeter.

I use the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 too . . . it seems to work great for me at less the cost of the Canon lens:









Shutter Priority at 400/sec – ISO 640 – Flash at ½ power.

[Jensers]

Thanks guys - the advice I got from others has been to go for it, but make sure to buy a new one and not a used one for worry of picking up a lemon. I guess this is where I become an off brand lens lover or hater.

[Jim Bryant]

When shooting sports...all I use is a 28-70mm f2.8, 70-200 f2.8, and either a 300mm f2.8 or 400mm f2.8. The type of sports determines on what two larger telephotos I use. I surely wouldn't want to use the 400mm for basketball, but I have in the past. So, knows.

[Jensers]

Jim - all Canon lenses?

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by Jensers

Jim - all Canon lenses?

Yup........... Putting an off brand lens on a manufacture's body is like installing a Volkswagon engine in a Porsche. The canon lenses are made for the canon bodies, they are color corrected, superior glass and such. no they're not. some folks would like to believe they are but they are not.

Third party lenses are generally cheaper tho and some perform very well especially when you factor in cost.

Also, there are some third party lenses offered in lengths not made by canon.

Are the upper end canon lenses are worth the price is subject to debate but canon does make the best lenses for canon cameras. Too me quality counts, that's why I go with brand names.

[Lemonface]

Love your shots! Have you shot lacrosse? Any advice for stopping the action in front of the netted goal at night under high school stadium lights? THANKS!