Indoor Equestrian, which lens?

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Gareth
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I have always struggled to get anything decent from indoor equestrian shots, I think its mainly down to keeping the shutter speed to something sensible.
I would normally be using my ef-s 17-85 as I find I can get a mix of shots as the horse moves around the arena, having now aquired a 50 1.8 maybe its worth punt, I should be able to get it wider open and keep the shutter speed up, but it will limit me on framing the shots, so I imagine I'll be cropping away.

These pictures will only be for personal consumption, but it would be great to nail some nice shots.

Any words of wisdom/advice?
 
Ideally I'd imagine a 70-200 f/2.8 or a decent long prime would be the best, but of course you need the budget to match.
I think a 50mm will be too short for a lot of shots, but you'd get a few if you can get close enough, depends on the layout of the arena and how close you can get.
 
I'll put one on my christmas list!

I will be able to be right up by the side of the ring.
These will be on my 40d so the 50mm will end up longer as it were.
I'll have a play, see what results I can get.
 
The problem is DoF, a horse is a big thing to get in focus if it's coming towards you over a jump even at f2.8. You'll not get both the riders face and the horses face in focus at f2.8 but you might be ok with a side on shot.

Indoor arenas are notoriously dark inside in the winter so a body with good ISO capabilities is a huge help.
 
admirable said:
Indoor arenas are notoriously dark inside in the winter so a body with good ISO capabilities is a huge help.
Click to expand...

Probably more so than the lens
 
so I imagine I'll be cropping away.
Click to expand...

Try and avoid cropping you will need high ISO and cropping will only make the noise worse.....

last one I took of the wife required the 70-200 @ f2.8 and ISO 3200. Just about managed a 320th.....was able to rest the camera on a rail which helped......

DSC_5016.jpg
 
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I use a 400d with 70-200mm F2.8L......I found the lighting very dark and had to use ISO1600 and even then had to underexpose slightly to get a shutter speed of 1/250, which is too slow. I have since upgraded to a 50d which should just give me the edge on exposure...mind you this venue very dark and lighting is (slightly) better at other places. I am considering getting a 85mm F1.8 which would give me a reasonable reach and an extra stop but only if I find things getting desperate with lighting.

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Yep - 70-200mm f/2.8 for most shots, plus a wide and fast (f/1.4 - f/2.8) prime (or zoom if you have one) for anything close-up.
 
i hate taking indoor photos. I only have a 55-200 lens and my kit lens....

took that y'day;;;


aintree209.jpg


not fab but not tooo bad.... was just practising.

indoors are horid places imo to do pictures....the only ones ive been too that are ok aare aintree (above) and myerscough as they are very light anyhow.. :)
 
Using the 50mm will give you more options than your 17-85. Aim to get some side on shots. Get as close as you can. Use F2-2.8 shutter 1/250th ISO to suit. Good luck, you'll get something you can use.
 
trevorbray said:
Using the 50mm will give you more options than your 17-85. Aim to get some side on shots. Get as close as you can. Use F2-2.8 shutter 1/250th ISO to suit. Good luck, you'll get something you can use.
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Is 1/250th a good shutter speed to use indoors then? I would normally go for at least 1/800 outdoors but I realise that one needs to compromise indoors due to appalling light conditions.
 
to be honest id be warey of dropping that low on shutter, you run the risk of a moving head or leg blurring out.

the light in your last shot is pretty decent, in that situation id personally go for f2.8, 1/640th and ISO to suit. maybe (to be honest id start with that and then fiddle until i was happy). obviously you cant go to 2.8 on that lens but use ISO/shutter to compensate.

incidentally, that isnt appauling light conditions.. id KILL for that light in some arenas ;)
 
Well, believe me I shot at 1/250th all last weekend indoor Show Jumping.
Sold a LOT of pictures...
I just do what it takes to get a result. Sure, on close inspection you MIGHT notice a blurred hoof every now and then...
 
Indoor events can vary according to the light. Its no point telling people you need 1/800 shutter if its just not available. Some places are like sheds and in winter even darker.

Yes a 2.8 lens is an obvious choice and so is a camera with a good ISO range (6400 and above for indoors). The focal length can also vary according to your possition. This year I worked out doors with a guy using 24-70 but he had to move swiftly between jumps to get his shots. I used 70-200 and was still able to cover three jumps at different angles quite easily, just his preference to mine. Last time I shot indoors I used 24-70 (f2.8/250th/ISO1600) as it was a lot smaller, however in all cases I was positioned inside the ring.
 
snapzz said:
Indoor events can vary according to the light. Its no point telling people you need 1/800 shutter if its just not available. Some places are like sheds and in winter even darker.
Click to expand...

i dont think anyone was saying to stick to a certain shutter, youll always need varience as per the conditions. but unfortunately horses dont move in a smooth motion so im just saying you have to be careful with longer shutters.

and belive me i know about dark.. when ISO6400 doesnt cut it.. lol
 
I find, as a punter rather than a professional, I have to stay outside of the jumping ring so am limited as to where I can position myself.....normally I can find a position where I can get a good shot of 3 or 4 fences depending on how the course has been set up. This effectively means that I have to use a 70-200mm F2.8 to get a decent shot. The few times I have been able to get in the ring (practice jumping mainly) I have found my 24-70mm to be the more appropriate lens. F2.8 a must for indoor work but tricky to work with.
 
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