how do you get those action shots?

[Skarp]

I pay the guy that shows up at tournaments to take pictures.

A guy taking pictures at my son's soccer game last month must have had $10,000 hanging from his neck. Huge telephoto lens and the thing (real high-end canon) was firing off shots so fast you could hardly hear each distinct click. Anyway, I'm not sure where I was going with that, but I'll say this: if everyone bought pictures at tournaments I'd change careers...those things are expensive!

[Judd]

I appreciate the advice. I was hoping to get my Sony to work. Right now, a new camera is not in the budget

[DonnieS]

If you have the time, go over to eteamz and look back into the summer, there was a guy from Tennessee that was doing some great shots with a Sony - the H2 or H1 and he did a heck of a job. Real clear shots - but the shots he posted were middle of the day, great sunshine. He took his pictures at the back stop - behind the plate facing 3rd base.

[pixsguy]

yeah, the action-shot guys (myself included) tend to stick with the recball tourneys cuz all-stars is still new and exciting for most...mom wants anything you catch still... once most reach travelball, the only pixs that count are the ones taken at nationals...i have this saying: "my DD comes with a photographer", so her team is always taken care of...

[fasterpitch92701]

DonnieS, that 30D drop from 2100 to 759 is major, as you noted. There are places that will go lower. However, its also possible to buy one used, albeit carefully. What is amazing about the used marketplace is that there are many cameras that have received little or no use. An emotional buy, few pictures taken, sits in closet. I bought mine from a guy who shot less than 400 pictures with it, perfect condition, with extra batteries, case, filters, for $475. But it's "old technology"... heh, heh...

[DonnieS]

>> But it's "old technology"... heh, heh...<<

Have you learned how to use it? I am or was planning on the 40 - but seeing that the 30d takes 5 fps - may change my plans and may speed up when. Or if the economy tanks, the if.

I am taking about 100-150 shots per sports events - and I usually get 1 or 2 that are really good - most are decent pictures - kid is swinging - see the ball at contact with the bat, cool, my favorite are the sliding pictures.

[fasterpitch92701]

It's as easy to use as a point and shoot if you use "auto". Or as complicated as you can dream up. As an SLR you have, of course, the option of different lenses. You can get as fancy or as pedestrian as you wish.

The camera is rugged, with a titanium (not plastic) case. A zipper gave out on a backpack I was using to carry the camera. Fell 4 feet onto asphalt. Result; minor scrapped paint on a corner and 100% full functionality, smooth as silk.

Be aware that virtually ALL digital cameras have an issue with low light situations. Indoor basketball/volleyball or night softball games are problematic. The work-around is a $5k, 1.2 or 1.4 lens. Not in my budget. Regardless, good photos can be had with decent light. Check the heybucket Photo Gallery, specifically, the "Time to water the field" photo. That is the only one I have posted using my 30D. That photo was taken from 200 feet away, beyond the fence on the left field line. An ok but not great picture, limited resolution for the web and hand held. But it works ok.

I am sure there are other cameras that would do well, but as noted, for me this choice has worked out well and buying 1 or 2 year old technology is no big deal. I am "fashion and trend averse". Oh well. My burden.

Best solution; find someone at a game who has what you think you want to use and "borrow it" for 20 minutes between games. Shoot 30 shots, get a feel for it, ask questions, delete your shots. Oh... if you do get a physically larger camera, consider getting a monopole stand. If you are not familiar with them, they are a collapsable tube with a screwhead to the camera, great for long distance shots. Easy to work with. Compact. Maybe $30-35 on ebay.

[DonnieS]

Do you know if the lenses that fit the Rebel XT camera fit the 30D or the 40D? I have a 1.8 by the way, that works pretty well inside, not the greatest but about 4700 less than the 5k you mentioned for the 1.2 and 1.4.

[fasterpitch92701]

1.8's will barely... do it for indoor volleyball or basketball. You might wonder how I know that...
Indoor lighting in a gym is, typically, very poor. Don't know about compatibility with the Rebel. Sorry. Steve's Digicams (on line) has a gaggle of forums that might be helpful.

If you want to test whether the 1.8 would work just take the Rebel to a HS gym and try it. When I shoot with a 1.8 in a gym I typically have it at ISO1600, cranked up pretty good. Photo's don't suffer too bad from noise (surprisingly). Might try 3200 next time for the fun of it. On an open field in any kind of daylight, not an issue.

For longer add-on lenses you want a lower lens f-stop to help with the field of focus. The bad news is that you need to be careful focusing. The good news is that background object become obscure yielding more clarity to the intended object of the photo.

[DonnieS]

The 1.8 is what I use for the girls vball and bball - not too bad and like you said most of the gyms have poor lighting. One of the high schools across town is nice though - so I get a lot of shots there.

What about my other question - these are my lenses - I lied about the 1.8 is a 2.0.

EF 100 mm f/2 USM Standard and Medium Telephoto
EF 75-300 mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto zoom
EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 lens (cheapie that came with camera)

Will these work with the 30D ?