What focal lenght for football? (also tips for shooting under floodlights please)!

postcardcv

postcardcv

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Peter
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I am heading off to a very minor football match in a couple of weeks and would like to get some photos of the action but am undecided as to what lens would be the best bet. What focal length would people recommend for shooting football? Also any tips on to improve my results would be appreciated.
 
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If you only have one body/lens go for the 70-200 as you will probably be able to get quite close to the pitch if its a minor game

You will probably want to get shots/goalscoring/celebrations so be on the goal line, half way between goal and corner flag

Get a folding seat and get low to the action
 
Hi Peter, will this be day time kick off or under floodlights?
Also what lenses do you have access to?
You will need a fast shutter speed to freeze the action, so don't be scared to up the ISO to achieve this. Set to AI servo mode and center point AF, try and anticipate the action. Where possible have a non distracting background (parked cars etc). Like Nigel says, get low and enjoy the experience by making sure you are well equipped for the elements.

Dave.
 
Thanks for the replies so far. It is a 3pm kick off so hopefully there will be some light! I could have a few lenses available - 70-200 f2.8 IS, 300 f2.8, 85 f1.8, 100-400. I would like to do it with one body as I am only doing so photos for fun (it is a club that my family have been going to watch for four generations) as my dad would like them.
 
Most pro's shoot with a 2 body set up but when restricted to just one then the 300mm would be the weapon of choice.
 
Gary Coyle said:
Most pro's shoot with a 2 body set up but when restricted to just one then the 300mm would be the weapon of choice.
Click to expand...

Agreed and I would sit somewhere about the half way line for equal team coverage or inline with the 18 yard box of the goal the team you are wanting are attacking both on the side of the pitch maybe swap to goal line with the 70-200 for the 2nd half.
 
Two options

follow one team attacking all game and use a 70-200

or

use a 300mm and sit around the half way line and cover the whole game as best you can, there will still be some limitations when action is quite close to you however with a 300
 
nigpd said:
If you only have one body/lens go for the 70-200 as you will probably be able to get quite close to the pitch if its a minor game

You will probably want to get shots/goalscoring/celebrations so be on the goal line, half way between goal and corner flag

Get a folding seat and get low to the action
Click to expand...

It's just a hobby for me, and I'm only shooting local football teams, but this is exactly what I do.

I think there's often more drama around the goal mouth and I like to try and get the footballer's facing me if possible.

I'm shooting under floodlights for the first time tomorrow, so that will be a new experience! I will position myself depending on the lights and will up the ISO…. and I have a new 70-200 f/2.8 lens to play with :)
 
Thanks again for the advice - I got in touch with the club to check that I wouldn't be stepping on the toes of anyone if I did come and take photos. Turns out that they don't often get any shots taken so are happy for me to take some and have asked me to do a team shot too. I've decided to take two bodies and shot a 300 and a 70-200 for the match and take a wider lens for a team shot.
 
postcardcv said:
Thanks again for the advice - I got in touch with the club to check that I wouldn't be stepping on the toes of anyone if I did come and take photos. Turns out that they don't often get any shots taken so are happy for me to take some and have asked me to do a team shot too. I've decided to take two bodies and shot a 300 and a 70-200 for the match and take a wider lens for a team shot.
Click to expand...

Great opening there for you Peter, post some images after.
 
Thansk once again to all for the advice... I went to the game on Saturday butthe chap who asked for a team photo to be done wasn't there so I just did some game shots. It was good fun but make me think even more of those who do it well as it ain't easy! Anyway here are a few of mine, I know they aren't anything much but I was happy with them. Just wish that both teams hadn't been so dependant on route one, I reckon there were only four tackles in the match!

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A good first effort.

Nos. 4 and 5 are the best of the bunch for me. Generally, don't shoot players with their backs to you, it isn't interesting. Also, crop in tight to focus on the action.

Keep it up, and let's see some more from the next game :thumbs:
 
I might be going back for an evening match in a week or so, any advice on anything I should do differently (both in general and for shooting with floodlights)?

I was also wondering if anyone had tried the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS for football as I have an option to use one of those if I wanted to but wasn't sure if I would be better sticking with the Canon 300?
 
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