Which lenses for Polo?

TimHughes

TimHughes

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Anyone has experience of photographing polo matches? I have my first match this Sunday and looking at what to take. I’m thinking 400 2.8 and 24-70. The field is huge so hard to decide. What do you think?
 
I have only done 1 polo match before so not Great experience in that. I used 70-200 2.8 and it was lacking at the long end for some parts but I think you may miss some shots having a gap between 70 and 400.

But I guess it all depends where you will be standing. Are you using 1 or 2 bodies?
 
70-200 mm, plus 24-70mm and the 400mm should cover all your needs - if you have more than one body?


Les :)
 
Thanks guys @JJ! @Marc @Lez325

Ok so I’m now thinking 3 bodies, and whether to take 600 f4 rather than 400 2.8?

Bodies are 1DXM2 which I think is best for the long lens, then 70-200 or possibly a 200 f2 on 5DM4 and then 24-70 or 35 on R.

Looking at galleries for the location the background needs blurring so wider apertures will be better.
 
I also used to shoot lots of polo when I started out. I used a 100-300 with a X2 converter and still felt I was lacking in telephoto length.

A second body had a 28-105

One word of caution: a couple of times when looking through at the far end of the teles, I'd hear people screaming my name only to last moment see a horse about to crash into me, which I couldn't see, because I wasn't looking close up
 
newbie1 said:
Thanks guys @JJ! @Marc @Lez325

Ok so I’m now thinking 3 bodies, and whether to take 600 f4 rather than 400 2.8?

Bodies are 1DXM2 which I think is best for the long lens, then 70-200 or possibly a 200 f2 on 5DM4 and then 24-70 or 35 on R.

Looking at galleries for the location the background needs blurring so wider apertures will be better.
Click to expand...


I'd use the 600/4 and a 70-200 (if you have one). A 400 will only cover to about half way, with a fair amount of ropping.
 
DemiLion said:
I'd use the 600/4 and a 70-200 (if you have one). A 400 will only cover to about half way, with a fair amount of ropping.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Ok sorted 600, 70-200 and one other standard for sidelines / prize giving etc.
 
riddell said:
I also used to shoot lots of polo when I started out. I used a 100-300 with a X2 converter and still felt I was lacking in telephoto length.

A second body had a 28-105

One word of caution: a couple of times when looking through at the far end of the teles, I'd hear people screaming my name only to last moment see a horse about to crash into me, which I couldn't see, because I wasn't looking close up
Click to expand...

Thank you, I’ll keep one eye on the close up action.
 
Thanks guys, 600 was the best choice for the long end. I picked a spot about 30m behind the goal for safety and the extra reach was well worth having as well as the background blur.
 
30m? WEED :)

The ponies are clever, they'll dodge you. But perhaps a helmet and faceguard for flying balls....?
 
Resurrecting this one as I'm thinking of introducing a remote cam on the ground closer to the goal for the next match, e.g. approx 8m behind the goal, protected in a box with a flag or something on top to mark it. Is that possible / sensible / or stupid idea?
 
DemiLion said:
If an umpire allows that, I'd be astounded.
Click to expand...
In the end they said 15m would have been possible, I decided against and kept the remote near me at about 30 behind.
 
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