Info on Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground, please

nigpd

nigpd

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Nigel
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Does anyone have the low down on Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground, please? I've got the chance to shoot the Twenty20 match between England and New Zealand in a couple of weeks. Evening match.

Parking info, bring your own food/drink?, media room facilities etc info would be good.

Also, would a 400 f2.8 be ok (with or without x1.4) or should I take my 600 f4 instead?

Thanks in advance for your help :)
 
Hi Nigel
I'm hoping to be there this Friday for the Lancs T20 game. My first visit.
Maybe we can have a chat thereafter?
 
Hi Nigel.
Went to the T20 game last night. I had a 7D2 crop body with my 1.4x and 2x converters. The 1.4x was great at the nearer wicket but the 2x one was a better choice for the other end. With a full frame body you'd need the longest lens money can buy!
The facilities are excellent in the Media building and they will probably give you a ticket to exit the carpark without paying at the end of the match. Get there nice and early and ask a steward which carpark you should go to for the Players and Media Centre to avoid too long a hike to your car.
The Media wifi was ok in the pitchside area in front of the media centre but the ground was only about 20% full. Loads of desks with power/wifi in the actual media centre but I suspect it will be pretty full for the NZ T20 game.
Everyone was very friendly and the free coffee in the media lounge got me through the evening, Thinking of going back for one of the T20 games next week.
Let me know if you need more.
Alan
 
Hi Alan - thanks for the feedback. Car parking is going to be a problem with it being an international game. Quote "Due to the onsite infrastructure required for this game, we are unable to provide dedicated car parking for photographers or other members of the media. Commercial facilities are available at Manchester United Football Club which is a leisurely 10 minute walk from the stadium." Oh well

With a full frame camera, do you think the 600 f4 or the 400 f2.8 + 1.4x as the best option? Will also have a full frame with 70-200 f2.8 and another with a 16-35mm f2.8 for wide angle stuff.

Were you able to move round at all during the game to get different viewpoints? Could you get up into the stands to get a bit of height for the "player and grass only" shots rather than the ground level "player and spectators in the background" shots?
 
Hi Nigel
Car parking sounds a pain, especially given that the media building is over the far side of the ground from the main entrances and in a cul-de-sac. One option might be to get the tram, having parked up a little up/down the line.
On full frame I'd go with the 600 any day.
The whole atmosphere was very laid back for the match I went to and was basically able to go anywhere I liked pitchside. I didn't try to go higher in the stands although I'll definitely give it a try next time, especially for anything lasting longer than a T20 game.
Alan
 
mite want to take a hard hat, the way they are scoring in the 50 overs.

The 600 no question. even if the bounders are in, you will still have to sit near the fence.
I use a 400 +1.4 and even at the side, its a fair bit of a crop.
 
Was back at Old Trafford on Thursday night. Even if you can't get into the media 'compound' by the new Media Centre once you're anywhere in the official carparks you're sorted and well nearer than anything outside of the ground. Incidentally, there will probably be free tickets knocking around in the press box which will get you out of the carpark after the game without paying. If you say you're press when you enter the carparking via the front entrance then I'd be amazed if you can't get in.
 
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