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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
What Lense from center field for LL??
Jim Pierce, Photographer
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Waltham | MA | usa | Posted: 10:42 PM on 06.04.09 |
->> I have many games to cover this week-end for LL and want to cover two games at once. This will be easy if I do it from center field. I know I will only (mostly) get the batters but from a very unique angle.
I have the 300/2.8 and a 1.4TC but not quit enough from 210' to get the batter.
What would be best to rent for batting photos from centerfield (210' to home plate) 400/2.8, 500/4.0 or 800/5.6? These are day games and the weather looks like partly cloudy.
Jim |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 10:57 PM on 06.04.09 |
->> Jim a 400 2.8 will give you the maximum in flexibility. Throw the 1.4 on it and you'll have a 560 f4 with little or no hit in quality. The up shot is that if the clouds come in thick or the games drag to twilight you can go looser but jump back to the 2.8 and keep on chuggin. For that matter if one game goes longer than the other you can lose the tc and have a 400 for tighter action along the baselines.
For me a 500 or 800 really limits where you can shoot from (at least on a LL field) and @ 4 or 5.6 things can get dicey as the sun sets. |
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Richard Favinger Jr, Photographer
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Pottstown | PA | USA | Posted: 11:08 PM on 06.04.09 |
->> Agreed... 400mm 2.8 on Full Frame should be fine, and do a little cropping... Or 400mm 2.8 + 1.4... When I used my D2x I shot 300mm 2.8 + 1.4...
How where you planning to setup? Center field I shot threw the fence. At our field there are no stands behind.
Paul has a nice PDF on shooting Little League
http://www.digital-eos.com/PDF/Shooting_LLB_Baseball_Handbook.pdf
And heres a SS article On the Road with Little League
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1628
My 300mm 2.8 has become my #1 field lens for Little League, I almost never take it off the camera now. |
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Jim Pierce, Photographer
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Waltham | MA | usa | Posted: 11:12 PM on 06.04.09 |
->> Eric,
If I were to say forget flexibilty and want to shoot from Centerfield ONLY what would be best? Would you still say the 400?
I will have my 300/2.8, 70-200 etc for all other areas and can roam around to the best spots possible, but want to cover both games from a different angle.
I will get the pitchers etc during warm-ups as usuall so all will be covered.
Jim |
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Jim Pierce, Photographer
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Waltham | MA | usa | Posted: 11:17 PM on 06.04.09 |
->> Richard,
The two fields at both complexes are set up that I can shoot from centerfield and basically turn around and walk two steps and be at the outfield fence of the other field. The fence is 3'+- high so no obsruction at all.
As I just replied to Eric with I am not worried about flexibilty just the best shots from centerfield.
The big games are at 12:30, with the latest at 5:30 with games at 3:00 and the forcast is partly cloudy both days.
Jim |
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Richard Favinger Jr, Photographer
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Pottstown | PA | USA | Posted: 11:26 PM on 06.04.09 |
->> Shooting just batters from center, I think is very limiting ?? In that case if you want just the batter and the catcher in the shot... hmmm, 500mm f/4 should work.
Shooting over is fine, but it's more dramatic if you shoot at ground level. |
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Jim Pierce, Photographer
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Waltham | MA | usa | Posted: 11:33 PM on 06.04.09 |
->> Richard,
Yes, I understand it is limiting (shooting from CF) but I have covered these teams already from all other positions and want something different, not saying I won't get infield and pitchers between innings etc with lenses I already have.
Just wondering what is best from 210' away and 3'-4' above ground? Can't see shooting through the fence at this distance, but you never know.
Jim |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 11:44 PM on 06.04.09 |
->> OK to heck with flexibility, I'd still go with the 400+tc. Then again you can check with Guy at the local Calumet. Their catalog lists a 600 USM f4 for $120. If you pick it up Friday after 3 or 4 you get Saturday AND Sunday for the price of one day. You just have to have it back Monday morning.
Again say what you will, but for me I like knowing that if for whatever reason something happens, I can jump back and forth between the 560 and 400 millimeters. |
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Jim Pierce, Photographer
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Waltham | MA | usa | Posted: 12:06 AM on 06.05.09 |
->> Eric,
I was thinking of "flexibilty" relative to distance and not using a TC, but you have a good points.
It will come down to what is actually available. Calumet is a PIA to get to and forget it on a Friday afternoon. and they do not have the newer gear. I have rented the 400 and it is old and not IS.
I will let you all know what works out but sounds like the 400/2.8.
Jim |
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Steve Boyle, Photographer
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Jim Pierce, Photographer
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Waltham | MA | usa | Posted: 5:53 PM on 06.05.09 |
->> Rich,
lensprotogo.com is exactly where I get my rentals they have a great selection, very updated lenses and are great to work with AND a very easy 15 minute ride for me. Paul and his crew are great!! They are also expanding to include some studio areas.
I ended up with the 500/4.0, the 400/2.8 was out. I will let you know how it goes.
If you need lense rentals get in touch with Paul at www.lensprotogo.com. I can say that since I just reserved what I need for the fall football season already!!
Jim |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 9:26 PM on 06.05.09 |
->> Jim given that it's a 15 minute ride are you able to rent on a daily or weekend basis? Their Canon prices aren't bad but the Nikon rates are much higher than what I pay at Calumet. I understand that they are renting the newer VR versions, but the 300 AFS II rents for 50/day $150/week versus $230/week for Lenspro.
The 400 is $300 versus $380. Again I can understand that these prices include round trip shipping and are for newer VR, but seriously with the exception of "He who shall not be named in an SS thread" who would hand hold a 400? VR on a 400 is still lost on me.
Still if you have a relationship with a vendor and are happy that's all that matters. Guy, Jim, and Steve at Calumet have saved my bacon more than once. I'm in the store at least once a week 40 of the 52 weeks a year. |
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Steven Ickes, Photographer
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Mechanicsburg | PA | USA | Posted: 12:22 AM on 06.06.09 |
| ->> No IS needed on the 400 for shooting Little League. I use a 400mm f2.8 MK II and have never felt a need for IS, VR or whatever. If you can get it for a good price I'd say go pick up the older, non-IS 400 and have some fun. |
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Richard Favinger Jr, Photographer
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Pottstown | PA | USA | Posted: 1:07 AM on 06.06.09 |
| ->> http://www.lensprotogo.com has a small discount if your an NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) member visit the NAPP members web site for info... Also see @lensprotogo on Twitter... :-) |
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Jim Pierce, Photographer
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Waltham | MA | usa | Posted: 8:07 AM on 06.06.09 |
->> Eric,
yes, they do have day/week-end rates and I was told they will be posting them soon. What I paid for the week-end, Friday pick-up return 12:00 Monday is comparable to Caulmet. the biggest factor for me is that this is an easy 15 minute drive (or less) and does not matter what time of day. getting in and out of Cambridge on rt 2 and storrow Drive at the same time, triple it each way.
I am sure the $150 vs $230 per week for the lense you mentioned above is due to shipping, this is $80 bucks and fedex overnight for this with insurance is easily $40 each way. Give them a call to see what pick-up would be. Not sure this is an easier ride for you though?
Don't get me worng I have rented the 400 at Calumet a handfull of times and bought from them as well and they are great too.
I am glad that there are options, I have called Calumet at times and the 400 is out and that is the longest they have in Cambridge. I know can get a 400/2.8 at two locations even longer if these are both at at another.
Steven, I agree for a day LL game IS is not needed.
Richard, THANKS for reminding me as I saw this but forget to mention it. I will give them a ring. With free shipping at BH and this, my NAPP membership will pay for itself a few times over.
Heading out for a full day of LL action starting with T-Ball at 8:30 these guys are the best to shoot!!
Jim |
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Gary Shook, Photographer
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Otsego | MI | USA | Posted: 9:07 PM on 06.07.09 |
| ->> With full frame I use 400/2.8 plus 1.4 ext. for girls high school softball on a field that is similar to L. L. and get great stuff at first, second and third when plays are made along with getting the hitter. Even plays at home look good. The fence is normally low enough to shoot over but I do have a 4'ladder with a platform that works if needed. |
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Jim Pierce, Photographer
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Waltham | MA | usa | Posted: 10:56 PM on 06.10.09 |
->> Just updated my page with a couple photos using the rented 500/4.0 from this past week-end. The main image as well as the second one (these are the only two) were both taken with the 500/4.0 AND the 1.4TC therefore at 5.6, did not crop much at all. I did shoot without the 1.4TC but since the BG were just fence and green screen I chose to use the TC at 5.6 more. I was surprised at what I could get from centerfield besides the batter... many plays at first, second and third none at home but if there were I would have been able to capture them as well.
The keepers and the amount of images with faces and the ball are making me rethink on how I shoot LL baseball and what might be my next investment in lenses. Sales of this one game have more than paid for this lense rental and the week-end was a huge success, and it has only been three days.
Don't doubt what a 500/4.0 can do for a day little league game, even with a TC.
Jim |
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Richard Favinger Jr, Photographer
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Pottstown | PA | USA | Posted: 4:57 PM on 06.14.09 |
->> Nice work Jim...
Sadly at our field I can't shoot over the fence... I have been thinking really hard about getting the 400mm 2.8 for next year, and using the 1.4 or 1.7 TC on it, just for the simple fact of having a 400mm 2.8... Our back stop is also not blocked off like that, and is ugly... lol
The 500mm f/4 is a thought, it is a little cheaper then the 400mm 2.8...
I finished up almost 14 hours of shooting yesterday shooting 5 games. And was almost taken out by a foul ball line drive that I HEARD go by my left ear.
Great shots man! |
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