I like the results and the pics! How long does it take you to do one of the posters?
Thanks for the kind words.
The posters take me......emphasis on ME.......a long time. Like 10hrs. But keep in mind, that's start to finish, and I'm learning the program.
The parents that I gave these first 2 posters to (2 different families) flipped out. One of them told me that they'd paid $350 for a smaller collage of their daughter and it was not as nice as what I'd surprised them with. That felt pretty good.
On a different note, looks like forum member Hikin' Mike and I will be at a meet together in 2 weeks. So will have a show down between his 5D and F4 lenses and my 50D and the 2.8's. Having seen a bunch of his shots already, I should probably holster the 50D and my amature mits, and just pay him to shoot my kid ..........
Apologies if somebody already asked this: are you using any kind of camera support in these gyms? A monopod might help if you're relegated to 1/400s kind of speeds. Getting proficient at AI SERVO-type of AF is hard at first and takes time. Some of your earlier shots, I notice you are standing in places where the gymnasts are traveling towards or away from the camera, making a lot of work for the AF, which won't handle that kind of thing gracefully. I can see, in later images, you are standing more to their side, so they more or less remain at the same distance. Your own orientation can have a world of difference to your results and remember this with respect to backgrounds because you get more reliable focus tracking when there is more contrast between your subject and the background. White on white is very hard to do if you're an AF circuit. Remember to let the AF spool up by keeping your finger on the button at least one second before you need to take the shot.
Also, if I were you I would ditch all those variable aperture zooms. They are not suited for this environment. Keep the 70-200 and maybe get the 135mm f/2 (which will be effectively 200mm-ish on your 50D), which is as close to a perfect lens as Canon makes and happens to have the fastest AF of any lens in their stable, IMHO. With the proceeds of the zooms, buy a 35 f/2 or 50 f/1.4 for your non-action shots.
Thanks for all the recommendations.
1) I'm only using 28-70/2.8L and 70-200/2.8ISL glass that you see in my signature.
2) Yes, I'm trying to avoid shooting locations/angles where the gymnast is moving toward and away from me on the bars....although being at the end of the vault runway has made for some cool shots.
3) I've got the focus moved to the rear "AF ON" button, so I do keep the IA Servo and the IS (if I'm using it) spooled up.
4) I'm not using a monopod (eventhough I have one). I may try it again, but so far I haven't liked it. I like to be able lift the camera during shooting/panning and I like go from landscape to portrait mode....sometimes during the same sequence. I found the monopod too limiting.
5) I'm definately going to get a prime or 2 as I mentioned a handful of posts back. Some of these gyms are so poorly lit that even a 2.8 lens isn't fast enough. I'll probably start with an 85mm and then add the 135mm later.
Apologies if somebody already asked this: are you using any kind of camera support in these gyms? A monopod might help if you're relegated to 1/400s kind of speeds. Getting proficient at AI SERVO-type of AF is hard at first and takes time. Some of your earlier shots, I notice you are standing in places where the gymnasts are traveling towards or away from the camera, making a lot of work for the AF, which won't handle that kind of thing gracefully. I can see, in later images, you are standing more to their side, so they more or less remain at the same distance. Your own orientation can have a world of difference to your results and remember this with respect to backgrounds because you get more reliable focus tracking when there is more contrast between your subject and the background. White on white is very hard to do if you're an AF circuit. Remember to let the AF spool up by keeping your finger on the button at least one second before you need to take the shot.
Also, if I were you I would ditch all those variable aperture zooms. They are not suited for this environment. Keep the 70-200 and maybe get the 135mm f/2 (which will be effectively 200mm-ish on your 50D), which is as close to a perfect lens as Canon makes and happens to have the fastest AF of any lens in their stable, IMHO. With the proceeds of the zooms, buy a 35 f/2 or 50 f/1.4 for your non-action shots.
Regarding the AF comment above...
There is a HUGE difference here between the Nikon and Canon. AF on the Nikon is better. My Nikon D300 can track a subject (even in bad light(especially in bad light)) running toward me far better than my 7d, Which Canon had pegged as beating the Nikon in AF.
... One of them told me that they'd paid $350 for a smaller collage of their daughter and it was not as nice as what I'd surprised them with. That felt pretty good...
You should do a few more and start collecting for your primes fund.:D
In your words: Killer posters.
Cuong
"She Was a Little Taste of Heaven – And a One-Way Ticket to Hell!" - Max Phillips
There is a HUGE difference here between the Nikon and Canon. AF on the Nikon is better. My Nikon D300 can track a subject (even in bad light(especially in bad light)) running toward me far better than my 7d, Which Canon had pegged as beating the Nikon in AF.
I continue to be interested in your opinions on the D300 vs. the 7D Keith
Meanwhile, here's a poster I just finished for my daughter....
Got my daughter's poster printed out today and it actually turned out great. The space background looks even better on the print than it does on the computer screen. Michael's is having a 50% off on frames, so it's all framed up and ready to hang.
Leaving in a moment to go take a look at a Canon 85mm 1.8 prime that's for sale locally on CL.
Got my daughter's poster printed out today and it actually turned out great. The space background looks even better on the print than it does on the computer screen. Michael's is having a 50% off on frames, so it's all framed up and ready to hang.
Leaving in a moment to go take a look at a 85mm 1.8 prime that's for sale locally on CL.
Got my daughter's poster printed out today and it actually turned out great. The space background looks even better on the print than it does on the computer screen. Michael's is having a 50% off on frames, so it's all framed up and ready to hang.
Leaving in a moment to go take a look at a 85mm 1.8 prime that's for sale locally on CL.
Congrats on the new acquisition. Remember to test it and verify AF accuracy before taking it to a big meet.
Cuong
Funny you should mention that. Going over to the gym in just a bit to give it a test shoot.
It's raining primes here right now. Someone else just put a Canon 50mm/1.4 on CL.....not the best deal, but still better than new + shipping. And way out of my price range, but a 135mm/2 L came up a day or so ago as well.
It's as if someone just turned on the lights for me. Waited until about 7:30pm to start shooting. Was able to shoot 1600IS0 and 200-320th/sec. The colors are vibrant, the athletes are in focus, and all the photos need is a little noise reduction from DPP and they look darn good.
My Lowepro Mini Trekker 100 is becoming too small, real fast .
It's as if someone just turned on the lights for me. Waited until about 7:30pm to start shooting. Was able to shoot 1600IS0 and 200-320th/sec. The colors are vibrant, the athletes are in focus, and all the photos need is a little noise reduction from DPP and they look darn good.
My Lowepro Mini Trekker 100 is becoming too small, real fast .
So did you shoot at 1.8 or 2.0, etc.??? You gonna post some shots from the primes?
Hey, I got to meet Mike today and we had time to chat for a bit before the fit-hit-the-shan and we had to scatter and start shooting our daughters. What a great guy, and a super little gymnast of a daughter!
Started the day out last night when I went looking for a 50mm/1.4 on Craigslist in the city where the meet was being hosted. Sure enough, I found one, in the box, with the hood, caps and a B&W filter. The seller was kind enough to take a Paypal payment and deliver it to me at the gym just minutes after we arrived
Good thing too, because this gym is the mother of all poorly lit gyms. Super high ceiling, like maybe 40-50', sparce sodium vapor lighting with a pink cast and a horrible cycle rate, and then a huge window down low, spraying one area with bright white glare. The pair of F/2.8 lenses were almost worthless. Literally H1 ISO and 1/200th or 1/160th at best. But I tried all 4 lenses anyway, just to have a lesson, and some variety. The primes allowed me to get down into 2,000 ISO and 1/400th in most shots.
I'll post a few sample shots as I get some processed.
Hey, I got to meet Mike today and we had time to chat for a bit before the fit-hit-the-shan and we had to scatter and start shooting our daughters. What a great guy, and a super little gymnast of a daughter!
Started the day out last night when I went looking for a 50mm/1.4 on Craigslist in the city where the meet was being hosted. Sure enough, I found one, in the box, with the hood, caps and a B&W filter. The seller was kind enough to take a Paypal payment and deliver it to me at the gym just minutes after we arrived
Good thing too, because this gym is the mother of all poorly lit gyms. Super high ceiling, like maybe 40-50', sparce sodium vapor lighting with a pink cast and a horrible cycle rate, and then a huge window down low, spraying one area with bright white glare. The pair of F/2.8 lenses were almost worthless. Literally H1 ISO and 1/200th or 1/160th at best. But I tried all 4 lenses anyway, just to have a lesson, and some variety. The primes allowed me to get down into 2,000 ISO and 1/400th in most shots.
I'll post a few sample shots as I get some processed.
It was great to meet you too Todd! Looks like your daughter did pretty well. Did she get a 1st place?
I always hated this gym for the lighting. I was at ISO 3200 @ 1/160 (or slower) and I still had to bump up the exposure in ACR +1.00.
Here's two from this afternoon. No NR.
5D, 70-200 f/4L, ISO 3200, f/4, 1/160
I know I told you I usually don't even try to shoot the vault....but I couldn't resist. I put on the 300mm and was able to capture one decent shot.
5D, 300mm f/4L IS, ISO 3200, f/4, 1/125
She was first on beam, and vault for her 10yr old juniors group and 2nd overall. It was her best performance of the year.
Here's the 85mm/1.8 at 1/500th and 2000ISO.....after NR and some PP:
Here's the 28-70/2.8 at 70mm and 1/200th at 2500ISO:
Here's a candid of your daughter:
As you can see, my shots leave a lot to be desired. Most aren't much better than point-and-shoot snap shots this time around. It was too dark for the f2.8's, and the 85 and 50 were either too close, or far enough away that once I crop the photo down, it's even worse. Skill level is probably a huge part of the equation. I was trying to stay out of H1 and H2, and with the resulting low shutter speeds, I've still got noise, plus I've got blur from camera shake and from the athlete moving.
Comments
It might give you some ideas on composition...
Keith Tharp.com - Champion Photo
Man are those humbling!
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
I like the results and the pics! How long does it take you to do one of the posters?
Thanks for the kind words.
The posters take me......emphasis on ME.......a long time. Like 10hrs. But keep in mind, that's start to finish, and I'm learning the program.
The parents that I gave these first 2 posters to (2 different families) flipped out. One of them told me that they'd paid $350 for a smaller collage of their daughter and it was not as nice as what I'd surprised them with. That felt pretty good.
On a different note, looks like forum member Hikin' Mike and I will be at a meet together in 2 weeks. So will have a show down between his 5D and F4 lenses and my 50D and the 2.8's. Having seen a bunch of his shots already, I should probably holster the 50D and my amature mits, and just pay him to shoot my kid
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
Also, if I were you I would ditch all those variable aperture zooms. They are not suited for this environment. Keep the 70-200 and maybe get the 135mm f/2 (which will be effectively 200mm-ish on your 50D), which is as close to a perfect lens as Canon makes and happens to have the fastest AF of any lens in their stable, IMHO. With the proceeds of the zooms, buy a 35 f/2 or 50 f/1.4 for your non-action shots.
1) I'm only using 28-70/2.8L and 70-200/2.8ISL glass that you see in my signature.
2) Yes, I'm trying to avoid shooting locations/angles where the gymnast is moving toward and away from me on the bars....although being at the end of the vault runway has made for some cool shots.
3) I've got the focus moved to the rear "AF ON" button, so I do keep the IA Servo and the IS (if I'm using it) spooled up.
4) I'm not using a monopod (eventhough I have one). I may try it again, but so far I haven't liked it. I like to be able lift the camera during shooting/panning and I like go from landscape to portrait mode....sometimes during the same sequence. I found the monopod too limiting.
5) I'm definately going to get a prime or 2 as I mentioned a handful of posts back. Some of these gyms are so poorly lit that even a 2.8 lens isn't fast enough. I'll probably start with an 85mm and then add the 135mm later.
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
Regarding the AF comment above...
There is a HUGE difference here between the Nikon and Canon. AF on the Nikon is better. My Nikon D300 can track a subject (even in bad light(especially in bad light)) running toward me far better than my 7d, Which Canon had pegged as beating the Nikon in AF.
Keith Tharp.com - Champion Photo
In your words: Killer posters.
Cuong
I continue to be interested in your opinions on the D300 vs. the 7D Keith
Meanwhile, here's a poster I just finished for my daughter....
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
Cuong
Here's one I did for my daughter a few years ago...
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
Got my daughter's poster printed out today and it actually turned out great. The space background looks even better on the print than it does on the computer screen. Michael's is having a 50% off on frames, so it's all framed up and ready to hang.
Leaving in a moment to go take a look at a Canon 85mm 1.8 prime that's for sale locally on CL.
.....and I'm back with my first prime.
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
Congratulations!
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
Cuong
Funny you should mention that. Going over to the gym in just a bit to give it a test shoot.
It's raining primes here right now. Someone else just put a Canon 50mm/1.4 on CL.....not the best deal, but still better than new + shipping. And way out of my price range, but a 135mm/2 L came up a day or so ago as well.
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
It's as if someone just turned on the lights for me. Waited until about 7:30pm to start shooting. Was able to shoot 1600IS0 and 200-320th/sec. The colors are vibrant, the athletes are in focus, and all the photos need is a little noise reduction from DPP and they look darn good.
My Lowepro Mini Trekker 100 is becoming too small, real fast
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
Perfect Gymnastics Camera?
It's:bigbs that this is such a money game, that Canon can't just build a camera, and that everything is umpteen thousand dollars.
Guess the used 1DMkIII's will be cheap as chips now.
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
So did you shoot at 1.8 or 2.0, etc.??? You gonna post some shots from the primes?
The photos are pretty uneventful. I was just shooting athletes that were nearby, whether they were "on" something, or not.
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
Cuong
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
Looking forward to seeing you Sunday....
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
Looking forward to meeting you too!
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
Started the day out last night when I went looking for a 50mm/1.4 on Craigslist in the city where the meet was being hosted. Sure enough, I found one, in the box, with the hood, caps and a B&W filter. The seller was kind enough to take a Paypal payment and deliver it to me at the gym just minutes after we arrived
Good thing too, because this gym is the mother of all poorly lit gyms. Super high ceiling, like maybe 40-50', sparce sodium vapor lighting with a pink cast and a horrible cycle rate, and then a huge window down low, spraying one area with bright white glare. The pair of F/2.8 lenses were almost worthless. Literally H1 ISO and 1/200th or 1/160th at best. But I tried all 4 lenses anyway, just to have a lesson, and some variety. The primes allowed me to get down into 2,000 ISO and 1/400th in most shots.
I'll post a few sample shots as I get some processed.
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8
I always hated this gym for the lighting. I was at ISO 3200 @ 1/160 (or slower) and I still had to bump up the exposure in ACR +1.00.
Here's two from this afternoon. No NR.
5D, 70-200 f/4L, ISO 3200, f/4, 1/160
I know I told you I usually don't even try to shoot the vault....but I couldn't resist. I put on the 300mm and was able to capture one decent shot.
5D, 300mm f/4L IS, ISO 3200, f/4, 1/125
Images in the Backcountry
My SmugMug Customizations | Adding CSS to Your Site | SEO for the Photographer | Locate Your Page/Widget Number | SmugMug Help Desk
Here's the 85mm/1.8 at 1/500th and 2000ISO.....after NR and some PP:
Here's the 28-70/2.8 at 70mm and 1/200th at 2500ISO:
Here's a candid of your daughter:
As you can see, my shots leave a lot to be desired. Most aren't much better than point-and-shoot snap shots this time around. It was too dark for the f2.8's, and the 85 and 50 were either too close, or far enough away that once I crop the photo down, it's even worse. Skill level is probably a huge part of the equation. I was trying to stay out of H1 and H2, and with the resulting low shutter speeds, I've still got noise, plus I've got blur from camera shake and from the athlete moving.
Canon 7D... Canon 70-200/2.8L IS... Canon 28-70/2.8L... Canon 135/f2L... Canon 85/1.8... Canon 50/1.4... Canon 28/1.8