Anyone shot an UFC before? Advice needed...

GadgetRick

There's an UFC scheduled for Newark, NJ. Been shooting a lot of MMA in NJ (before making my move to Jacksonville, FL) and it's looking like I may make it into that UFC to shoot. Since I've never shot one before, looking for advice on how things work there.

Typically, I usually just grab a spot by the cage. With the UFC (and some other shows), they have the photogs sitting a little farther way from the cage but still next to it. I also know there are a LOT more photogs than I'm used to and I don't know if it's like other shows where it's first come for getting a spot.

Hoping this comes through as it'll be a bit of a challenge since I won't be sitting right against the cage.

Thanks for any advice.

SnapLocally

The 70-200 will be your go to lens; the photogs have to shoot from outside the catwalk, and The Octagon is much larger than regional cages. Also, be prepared to manually focus.

GadgetRick

SnapLocally wrote: »

The 70-200 will be your go to lens; the photogs have to shoot from outside the catwalk, and The Octagon is much larger than regional cages. Also, be prepared to manually focus.

I was thinking of having 2 bodies--one with the 70-200 and one with my 28-70. My problem is I shoot a crop body so the 70-200 isn't wide enough when the action is closer.

How do they deal with who sits where? Is it just, first come first served?

Thanks.

SnapLocally

Truth is most photographers shoot with a crop, be it 1.3x on a 1D, 1.6x on the lower lines, and 1.5x on some of the Nikons. That said, you'll be a few feet back from the fencing, which completely changes the dynamic of how one would shoot a smaller regional show, which generally allow direct cage-side access, and have much smaller cages- The UFC's Octagon is 36 feet across. I suppose you could use 2 cameras, but if you don't have a place to rest that second camera they may get heavy- it's a 4 hour event.

As far as placement goes, they decide that, with regular photographers like Tracy Lee getting getting priority. Some photographers are relegated to shooting from a media spot from a balcony far in back.

GadgetRick

SnapLocally wrote: »

Truth is most photographers shoot with a crop, be it 1.3x on a 1D, 1.6x on the lower lines, and 1.5x on some of the Nikons. That said, you'll be a few feet back from the fencing, which completely changes the dynamic of how one would shoot a smaller regional show, which generally allow direct cage-side access, and have much smaller cages- The UFC's Octagon is 36 feet across. I suppose you could use 2 cameras, but if you don't have a place to rest that second camera they may get heavy- it's a 4 hour event.

As far as placement goes, they decide that, with regular photographers like Tracy Lee getting getting priority. Some photographers are relegated to shooting from a media spot from a balcony far in back.

I've shot back from the cage at Ring of Combat before (the last time I shot it) so I know what you mean. Quite a bit more challenging.

I figured they let the, "known," people up there since I see the same people all of the time. I don't believe I've ever seen Tracy out this way though but I don't know how far she travels. But I know some of the others always seem to be there. Have to see how this transpires.

Thanks.