ATP Masters Tennis Finals - Lens advice please.

[James Thomas 75]

Hello everyone,

As the title says,I'm looking for some advice for a lens to take to the ATP Masters Tennis Finals in November at the O2 arena.

This is probably more a question for anyone who went last year and knows the layout,because (ideally) I'm looking for advice on which range of minimum focal length I would need for the event..

I'm expecting to have to rent a lens for the occasion as my fastest telephoto is a 70-200 2.8 IS (which I think may not be long enough) and my longest is the 100-400,to which I've obviously removed from the equation in that kind of lighting conditions! :shake:

If it would be of any help,my tickets state my position as courtside:upper tier.

Any help will be much appreciated on solving my (rather awkward) questions.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Rovers_Andy]

You will need the longest lens you have, 300MM+ to get any decent sort of action shots.

If the lighting is poor your going to have to either ramp up the ISO or drop you shutter speed.

I would say your better sticking to some wider angle shots or risk using your flash gun

To be honest though without 3-400mm at F/4 or better your going to struggle from up in the heavens.

Much better to leave the camera and enjoy the occasion IMHO

 

[Gary Coyle]

Arent spectator cameras banned in indoor arenas due to the extra noise created due to the acoustics of the building

 

[sazzle]

I enquired directly with the O2 regards the World Gymnastics last October and they confirmed DSLR's were a definite no no.

Was gutted and how times change. I shot the Europeans in 1996 in Birmingham.... no accreditation, just a hobbyist and fan of the sport who wanted better access and I got it.

 

[James Thomas 75]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Andy,I was actually 99.9% ready to leave the gear at home as you said to be honest,that's why I was after some advice of the layout of the arena.
Although I doubt it would be comfortable for me or anyone else around my area trying to use a 300 /400 lens!

@Sazzle: Thanks for confirming that they don't allow SLR's in the arena.
I was wondering why the only guy I could find on Flickr was using a Panasonic P&S...yet another occasion where an SLR is seen differently!