Lens advice sought for equestrian event

Stardust

Stardust

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Charlie
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Hi all, not sure if this question is in the right section so sorry of it's not. I'm going to Olympia Christmas Horse Show this year and was after some advice on which lens to take. Not sure if anyone here is going or has been in the past but it's a big indoor horse event. I'll be sitting in the second from front row on the day when they have the carriage driving and showjumping. I have a Nikon D3500 and have either a 18-55mm lens or a 70-300mm lens.
I did take the smaller lens to Burghley with me and found it was a bit too small but don't want to make the same mistake this time.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thank you [emoji4]
 
I would probably say the 70-300 as the 17-55 may be too wide from a seated position. Both lenses will probably be limited in aperture for indoor action photography. To get a fast aperture you will probably need to up the ISO quite a way.

It seems the only limitation on photography is a lens up to 200mm. Your 70-300 may be fine as they are probably thinking of limiting big 300mm primes or 100-400 f5.6 size lenses.

https://www.olympiahorseshow.com/information-british-showjumping/olympia-photography/
 
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Honestly? Leave the camera at home and enjoy the show. With that kit I'm afraid you are unlikely to get any decent images.

You are going to need to average 1/500th, f/4, ISO 6400.

With those lenses, you are going to be looking at 12,800 minimum.
 
If difficulty in taking photos was a consideration 50 years ago we'd have no photos of the moon landing.

It is quite possible to take some pictures and also enjoy the show.

Low light will be your biggest problem here. So one aim might be to think about how to treat the low light as a challenge to get a different type of photo.
 
Have you checked with the organisers that you can take a camera to the event, some can be a bit funny.sometimes they employ an event photographer and don't like people with "pro" type cameras taking photos. They think you may sell them on instead of their own photographer making money for them. The event is on private property no doubt so they could stop you.
 
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realspeed said:
Have you checked with the organisers that you can take a camera to the event, some can be a bit funny.sometimes they employ an event photographer and don't like people with "pro" type cameras taking photos. They think you may sell them on instead of their own photographer making money for them. The event is on private property no doubt so they could stop you.
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That was one of my first thoughts as I’ve seen limitations before hence the link to their rules on photography in my post #2. There isn’t much detail on limitations, it just says lenses up to 200mm. There are limitations on Facebook live because of board casting rights. That’s something I’ve never thought about previously.
 
rob-nikon said:
That was one of my first thoughts as I’ve seen limitations before hence the link to their rules on photography in my post #2. There isn’t much detail on limitations, it just says lenses up to 200mm. There are limitations on Facebook live because of board casting rights. That’s something I’ve never thought about previously.
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"We ask that camera lenses do not exceed 200mm as this can obscure the view of other audience members."
Re. the "Obscuring the view" comment.I have a suspicion that 200mm refers to the physical length, not the focal length. (Could be wrong.)
 
Graham W said:
"We ask that camera lenses do not exceed 200mm as this can obscure the view of other audience members."
Re. the "Obscuring the view" comment.I have a suspicion that 200mm refers to the physical length, not the focal length. (Could be wrong.)
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Yep i took it that way too hence saying a 70-300 is probably ok. To me it seems they have just picked a focal length as it would be easier for non photographers to understand what’s in and what’s out of their limitation by what’s written on the lens. Photographers know that theoretically a 200mm f2, which is within their limitation, is far bigger and obscuring than a 70-300mm lens.

As a photographer visitor you have to think about the impact of taking photos. If someone was sat next to me constantly waving a camera and lens back and forth with the shutter constantly rattling off it would get quite annoying after a while and potentially ruin the event for other spectators.
 
Pound Coin said:
If difficulty in taking photos was a consideration 50 years ago we'd have no photos of the moon landing.

It is quite possible to take some pictures and also enjoy the show.

Low light will be your biggest problem here. So one aim might be to think about how to treat the low light as a challenge to get a different type of photo.
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My advice was based on experience of shooting Olympia for a number of years.

What was yours based on?
 
Thank you everyone for your responses.

AndrewC - unfortunately I don't have a big enough bag lol it's something I'm looking at investing in next year as well as a new lens like an 18-300mm one.

Demilion - I did think about leaving my camera at home but I can't lol I know I'd miss the opportunity of shooting there. I've normally taken my compact Lumix in the past but would like to see what the difference is in my photos with a DSLR. It's interesting what you say about the ISO requirement though. What type of lens did you use for the years you shot there? Did you sit in different places each time? Was there a particular place that was best?

Rob-Nikon - thank you for the link, I will check with them before taking anything, don't want to carry a camera for no reason :)
I do try to be conscientious when taking photos in public places so I don't annoy anyone. I'm hoping that the position I'm sitting in will be better when it comes to the noise of the camera,etc.

Thank you again all, it's much appreciated. Hopefully I can share some of the photos, if can take lens, after the event.
 
Caerus said:
The only way you learn is by taking them both and having a go.
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this is good sound advice. You haven't got the best equipment for the situation and you aren’t in the best location.

However, if you wish to see how you get on taking photos at the event, go ahead and do it. If you don’t take your camera, you’ll never know.
 
I hope you're not going to be sitting in front of me waving a big lens around.....! One of the problems with Olympia is that it isn't a 'big' event in the physical sense. It's not a huge arena and the spectators are close to the action. In the second from front row the horses will be just feet away from you and the only place to get a clear shot is when they're in the middle or far side of the arena, and then in the show jumping you're likely to have jumps in the way. Add to that being so close they move very fast and the lighting is quite poor for photography. I went last year - going again this year - never considered taking a dslr. I took my old point and shoot. It was rubbish. Took one shot, put it away and just watched. I considered getting a better compact for this year but haven't bothered. It's a lot more dynamic and dramatic than outdoor horse trials (especially the carriage driving which is is fast and furious on a very tight course) and if you miss something you've missed it for ever.
 
Jannyfox said:
(especially the carriage driving which is is fast and furious on a very tight course) and if you miss something you've missed it for ever.
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PMSL, but such fun :D
I did photography for a few years for a local club, and you are right it's fast and furious but such fun and a
real challenge, helps if you have a clear view
Hoping the revive the event sometime
 
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