What lens to buy for MMA?

very green

very green

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A friend is fighting at the weekend and conveniently knows the owner of the venue so I am allowed to get to the cage for his fight. I am guessing it will be a bit dingy to make things challenging!
Now I am not a budding pro but do really enjoy my camera (550D) and try to get the best shots I can. I only have the 18-55 it came with and a 100-400 (I use this for wildlife and love it but not much use right next to a cage!)
Would the Canon EF 24-70mm F2.8L USM be good for the job? I had been thinking of buying it, but as I go to quite a few MMA/BJJ events I am also open to advice on something more appropriate for the job.
Looking forward to some good advice :thumbs:
 
I'm sure I've heard at least one of the pros on here saying they've got good results from the Canon 50mm f1.8 at these events.

Definitely worth a go for around £80 ;) but then if it's not you still have a useful prime and can get the 24-70 at a later date?
 
Really depends on the size of the cage. I recently did a league MMA with 26 bouts in a small cage and used a 35mm and the 50mm

But in a larger venue for a big organised event I used the 85mm and 135mm for a cage around twice the league size


I have done whole cage and boxing events wiht the 50mm :)

So realy depends on the size of the cage... I dont thin k your 18-55 will let in enough light.. chances are you will need f2.8 (presuming your not gonna use flash)

Yes a 24-70 would be ideal
 
Thank you for such speedy replies. :)

I believe the cage is 22ft pro cage, and no flash.

Also any tips for the day?
 
cant think what 22ft is to be honest or how its measure... round or accross.. i really dont know :)

shoot up to cage... have a cheap filter on end if you can

there will be more wrestling than fighting so easy.. but when fighting move your focus point to the fighter facing you... usually throughout the bout thats just a case of flipping from left to right focus points..

take a pain killer... all the twisting to get right position through cage will kill your back :)
 
Thank you, and I think you are spot on about the pain killers ;)
so shall I go and wince while I hand over the money for the 24-70? *whispers* if I tell my boyfriend an expert told me to buy it it may soften the blow! :D
 
very green said:
Thank you, and I think you are spot on about the pain killers ;)
so shall I go and wince while I hand over the money for the 24-70? *whispers* if I tell my boyfriend an expert told me to buy it it may soften the blow! :D
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if you can afford it...its a lot of money but is the best zoom lens you can buy at that range..I use prime (fixed focul lenght) but you certainly wont go wrong wiht 24-70 2.8L seriously good lens for anything like this
 
very green said:
Thank you, and I think you are spot on about the pain killers ;)
so shall I go and wince while I hand over the money for the 24-70? *whispers* if I tell my boyfriend an expert told me to buy it it may soften the blow! :D
Click to expand...

Have you been called an expert before Tony ...
 
I shoot a fair bit of MMA but not done any cage stuff yet. I use 24-70 but stand on the apron outside the ropes in one corner. Lighting varies from venue to venue and occationally I've had to use flash
 
He's been called a Pro before Tug for soliciting his wears;):lol:
 
Hey Tugster, I'm new here. Dont take the mick....gotta keep on the right side of the gang haven't I? :D :p
 
Speak to Kerso on here as he can probably do a good price on the lens ;)
 
My son is a MMA fighter and i use a 70 200mm 2.8 you could try hiring one from StuartR on here lensforhire



what camera are you using i have a 1DIIN but have used my 5D not good frame rate but in darkish venues the ISO helps on the 5D without being noisy


Merc
 
very green said:
Hey Tugster, I'm new here. Dont take the mick....gotta keep on the right side of the gang haven't I? :D :p
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Not pointed at You fella....You will get some great advice here...Its the place to listen/read and learn...

Just pulling Tony's leg.lolo
 
Tugster said:
Not pointed at You fella....You will get some great advice here...Its the place to listen/read and learn...

Just pulling Tony's leg.lolo
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Haha, I need to do plenty of that! I'm your sort of "point and hope" photographer!

and I'm not a fella ;) :D

Mercmanuk, I have a 550D and will be right at the cage side so, although thats another lens I would like, thought the 24-70 might work.

I'm going to the venue tomorrow for a look around and am looking forward to the weekend. I'll have to report back, let you know if it was a disaster or not!

Thanks guys. :)
 
it may be an idea to go to training as well but ask first, then you can have a play around with the settings,

i can do this at my sons gym as it was my old gym and i know most of the lads.

a lot of gyms in this game are getting a bit cagey:lol::lol: i had to get that in.


Merc ROTFL
 
mercmanuk said:
it may be an idea to go to training as well but ask first, then you can have a play around with the settings,

i can do this at my sons gym as it was my old gym and i know most of the lads.

a lot of gyms in this game are getting a bit cagey:lol::lol: i had to get that in.


Merc ROTFL
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Groooaann :lol:

I am going to pop in tomorrow with my friend for a look around so that will be really helpful.
 
Well, i went to take pictures of my friend, and ended up at the top of the ladder by the cage and took pictures all night! I really enjoyed myself. The gym owner asked if I would like to(this was a very small event and no pressure on me to produce anything any good just if I wanted to I could)

I have a ton of shots to go through but if I'm feeling brave I'll post some later on. There were 4 spot lights on the cage and I found that hard to deal with but I shall have a look at them tonight and see.
 
very green said:
Well, i went to take pictures of my friend, and ended up at the top of the ladder by the cage and took pictures all night! I really enjoyed myself. The gym owner asked if I would like to(this was a very small event and no pressure on me to produce anything any good just if I wanted to I could)

I have a ton of shots to go through but if I'm feeling brave I'll post some later on. There were 4 spot lights on the cage and I found that hard to deal with but I shall have a look at them tonight and see.
Click to expand...

Go on, post some piccy's for us to have a look at......we love looking at piccy's. :)

Stew.
 
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