Fast moving sport with fill flash

I can't see that using flash for sports photography is a particularly good idea.

Although you're able to use hi-speed sync, the amount of power needed means recycle times would be an issue and you'd probably burn through batteries at an alarming rate.

That aside, depending on how far away you are from the action, the flash migh not have enough reach.

Over and above those two points...... flashing a bright light in sportsmen/women's faces probably isn't the smartest idea ;)

Freezing the action will need to be done by using a sufficiently fast shutter speed so you're going to need a nice big aperture and/or high ISO if there's not much light.
 
I've done quite a bit of bike racing (to Nat Champs standard) and I don't know where you get the idea that this is a fast moving sport.
If you are photgraphing testing then the riders will be very happy if they are doing 25mph. (Leaving aside what Bradley is trying to do in Hull this afternoon - he's different!)
Mixed bunch racing will generally be at 20mph or so except when there is a sprint or similar in progress.
Drive a car at 25 mph and see how slow it feels.
There are several pro togs who follow bike racing - I've had them at events I've organised - and I've yet to see one using flash.
As above^^I'm not sure that putting a brilliant light in the eyes of someone in the middle of a sprint is a good idea.
The velodrome will be different and they do move fast there, but the place is very well lit and you won't need flash - but if your not on the list you won't be near the action anyway so your flash won't reach.
 
robp - so it did, I missed that, must have scan read it. Would have saved me some time :-/

mickledore - I have done quite a bit of bike racing and still do in fact so I am aware of the speeds involved, and fast moving is relative of course and a bunch going across the field of view at 25 mph sometimes in poor light I would consider fast.
Of course my field of experience is in landscape and wildlife so I cannot claim to know what I am talking about when it comes to sport.
However I can assure you that many photographers on the World Tour circuit use flash and since my original post I have done a little more research and I found this interesting video and he often uses flash during the race
View: https://vimeo.com/39822833

Also cylists are often looking down (ish) with shadows from helmet etc so a little fill flash is desireable in my opinion.
On the matter of annoying riders by using flash I can assure you this is not my experience. I have used it both on TT's and RR situations and asked for opinions and not a single rider found it an issue. I used it trackside at the velodrome the other night and the coach was happy for me to use it and so were the riders.

Incidentally if you watched Alex Dowsett breaking the hour record you will have noticed that the photographer(s) were using flash on almost every lap, Im sure if it was a distraction he would not have allowed that. Also no doubt you watch the TdF and World Tour races? You will see that the moto photographers often use on-camera flash.

For the record the above is not argumentative, merely my observations. I have a lot to learn.
 
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