Going to be doing some football, extenders or new lens?

CarlukeDave

CarlukeDave

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I'm going to be shooting some football games in the coming weeks, I have a 5d mkII and a 70-200 f2.8L, I know it's going to be a bit short, but I'm not in a position to go and spend £k's on a 400mm f2.8, yet!

I was thinking, is it worth getting a 1.4x or 2x extender for the 70-200, or would it be better to get a longer lens? Obviously the extenders would affect the speed of the glass, and any longer lens in my budget would be slower as well.

Would I be better just sticking with the 70-200 for now, or invest in an extender or look at other lenses?

Cheers

Dave
 
I was surprised how well my 70-200 coped with sport the other day! Obviously you're limited to the closest half or third of the pitch, but it might be worth going to your nearest pitch and seeing how it looks. You''ll be able to crop a fair bit too, which may or may not give better image quality compared to an extender.. Just something to think about!
 
chris321 said:
I was surprised how well my 70-200 coped with sport the other day! Obviously you're limited to the closest half or third of the pitch, but it might be worth going to your nearest pitch and seeing how it looks. You''ll be able to crop a fair bit too, which may or may not give better image quality compared to an extender.. Just something to think about!
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:agree:

I tried the extender, & didn't like the loss in image quality.

I get on fine with the 70-200 f2.8 on a 50D. With plenty having been printed in the local press.:D


Spence
 
I'd love to be in a position to offer you that Andy, unfortunately I'm not at the moment! :(

I'm covering a SPL game this weekend, I'll see how the 70-200 goes and may try an extender if I feel I need it, good to hear that people are getting good results with the 70-200!

Dave
 
How did you end up in the situation of covering an SPL game? I assumed from other posts of yours that you were a portrait guy?

(sorry - nothing valuable to add to the discussion, just interested in responses of others as I've got largely the same setup)
 
markrichardson said:
How did you end up in the situation of covering an SPL game? I assumed from other posts of yours that you were a portrait guy?

(sorry - nothing valuable to add to the discussion, just interested in responses of others as I've got largely the same setup)
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Hi Mark,

I do portraits and weddings, but I also want to keep as many options to making money open as possible. I'm a big football and music fan, so it seemed logical to try and get into that side as well. As for getting the pass, friend works with someone etc, just asked the question. I'm not actually covering the game for anyone, just trying to build my portfolio with a view to getting work.

Cheers

Dave
 
That's cool - I'd love an opportunity to do that, but I suspect I'm unlikely to come across someone who can get me a pass for any of the big local clubs (Newcastle, Sunderland) - suppose I could try for one of the non-league clubs.
 
markrichardson said:
That's cool - I'd love an opportunity to do that, but I suspect I'm unlikely to come across someone who can get me a pass for any of the big local clubs (Newcastle, Sunderland) - suppose I could try for one of the non-league clubs.
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Mark, even the Blue Sq Premier requires a licence now, so you'd be forced to go lower than that even!

But well worth a go if you can. It's a long slog to get to SPL/FAPL but it's worth it if you make it...and the best (and I think only) way to start is with non-league stuff...then BlueSq...then you have the hard job of trying to get a FL licence!
 
jamesb84 said:
Mark, even the Blue Sq Premier requires a licence now, so you'd be forced to go lower than that even!

But well worth a go if you can. It's a long slog to get to SPL/FAPL but it's worth it if you make it...and the best (and I think only) way to start is with non-league stuff...then BlueSq...then you have the hard job of trying to get a FL licence!
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There are a few SFL clubs in the south of Scotland (Berwick, Annan, Queen of the South(Dumfries) and Stranraer), get yourself along there. No licenses needed, just an email to the club secretary usually does the trick.

Floodlights are generally shockingly bad in the SFL, so that's a challenge.
 
jamesb84 said:
Mark, even the Blue Sq Premier requires a licence now, so you'd be forced to go lower than that even!

But well worth a go if you can. It's a long slog to get to SPL/FAPL but it's worth it if you make it...and the best (and I think only) way to start is with non-league stuff...then BlueSq...then you have the hard job of trying to get a FL licence!
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I have been exceptionally lucky, this is the 2nd SPL game I have got a pass for. I have done a couple of junior games and I'll be looking at getting more experience in the junior/lower leagues, then trying to get paid work and work up, but if it does work out, it will be well worth it!

It's Hamilton v Aberdeen Laudrup.

Dave
 
CarlukeDave said:
I have been exceptionally lucky, this is the 2nd SPL game I have got a pass for. I have done a couple of junior games and I'll be looking at getting more experience in the junior/lower leagues, then trying to get paid work and work up, but if it does work out, it will be well worth it!

It's Hamilton v Aberdeen Laudrup.

Dave
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It'll be worth speaking to the guys at the game, they are all friendly enough usually. All the major papers(Sun, record, evening times, notw, mail, etc) and SNS(the only agency who really covers scottish footy), and they will normally give you some decent advice on what to do(and how to do it).
 
It's worth contacting the clubs directly, i got my lucky break this way and its a good way to build up contacts and experience. I have found most of the guys and girls at games are helpful and will be happy to give advice. I've only met two people i wanted to beat with my Monopod :lol: but thats another story
 
Rovers_Andy said:
It's worth contacting the clubs directly, i got my lucky break this way and its a good way to build up contacts and experience. I have found most of the guys and girls at games are helpful and will be happy to give advice. I've only met two people i wanted to beat with my Monopod :lol: but thats another story
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I'd agree with the first bit. Sometimes becoming a club tog will help build up a portfolio and get your name known a bit. If you get some in local papers and programmes it can help build a portfolio up as well.

As for the last bit, there's only been one guy i've wanted to beat, but he's been back at our games a few times since and has been really decent and helpful.
 
Thanks for all the advice, really appreciate it!

I have only done one other SPL game, it involved Rangers and was very busy, I was nervous before hand that the press togs would have a laugh at my gear (a £120 Tamron lens at the time), it was the complete opposite, everyone very helpful.

I also do quite a bit for a national charity, and that involves working alongside a lot of the press, and again they are nothing but helpful and friendly.

Not long to go now, and despite a much improved set up to my last game, I'm nervous again!

Thanks again everyone

Dave
 
My only concern would be the reach of your lens, those that have said it may be suitable are shooting on a 1.6x crop body which makes their 200mm an effective 320mm.

You do have the advantage though of lots of pixels so should be able to crop quite heavily, but FF has its disadvantages in reach.
 
Loved every minute of it today, despite it being a terrible game!

Spoke to some very helpful people, got both goals and some good action shots, I think!

Still buzzing from it!

I'm off out tonight, I'll get some edited tomorrow and posted in the sports section.

Thanks again for all the advice!



Dave
 
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