Lens recomendation - Karate Tournament

09/26/2005 09:44:09 AM · #1

I am going to shoot a karate tournament and was wondering about any lens sudjestions. My thoughts are either a 24-70 2.8, or 70-200 2.8 my problem is, I think i will need the 28-135 range. I think the people might be competing at 'around' the 70mm range, making one or the other lens just a little too short, or a little too long.... but then again i haven't taken photo's at a karate tournament before so i could be wrong.

anyone have any experience with this?

Message edited by author 2005-09-26 11:00:20.

bfox2

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS

09/26/2005 09:52:57 AM · #2

How close will you be able to get to the action? I took some photos at a Taekwondo tournament back when I had my G5 (which I think is either 28 or 35mm to 13?mm equivalent) BUT I had easy access and could get as close to the mats as I wanted. I think I'd probably err more on the wide side, but when I was shooting I wanted to get both players completly in the frame.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM

09/26/2005 10:07:22 AM · #3

well i should be able to get up to the mats.

some photos i would want both players, but also ones with just one player to fill the frame.

do you have any of those pics you can show me?

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

09/26/2005 10:41:22 AM · #4

Hey Leaf,

Definitely don't go with the 70-200mm. Unless you can be elevated you'll never use it for tournament shoots.

Instead, go with a 50mm f/1.8 (this will allow you to get some decent shots in low-light and is really affordable). Or if you have the money consider the 30mm f/1.8, this will give you a wider angle.

Then consider an ultra-wide. Such as the Tokina 12-24mm f/4.0

09/26/2005 10:58:59 AM · #5

i have a tokina 12-24 and a canon 50mm 1.8

I am thinking i will need a zoom though. The distance to the subject will vary quite a bit from shot to shot and it is imporant that i fill the frame with the subject without editing afterwards.

I think the 12-24 is perhaps a little slow, and wide for gym use. I shot a floor hockey tournament a few weeks ago, and i was shooting at iso 3200, and 1/90 ... 5.6 NOT fast enough. the aperature of 4.0 WOULD bring the iso down a bit, but i still need a few more stops of speed.

bfox2

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS

09/26/2005 10:59:38 AM · #6

Sorry to say I don't have any of them with me.

If you can get right up to the mats, I'd probably go with the 24-70, and if you need to, do a little cropping. I don't think I'd agree that you'd want to take a prime, even though you get some extra speed, because if you cant very easily move back and forth you lose a little versatility.

Edit: So no cropping? I'd still say err on the side of wider, but I don't think you'd need anything below 24mm.

Message edited by author 2005-09-26 11:01:31.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

09/26/2005 10:59:44 AM · #7

also, i will be renting a lens so price isn't too much of a consideration.

hankk

Canon EOS-5D

09/26/2005 12:27:07 PM · #8

Originally posted by leaf:

also, i will be renting a lens so price isn't too much of a consideration.

If you're willing to rent a camera, and can rent a 5D, you chage from a crop factor of 1.6 to 1, and the 70-200 may do it for you.

09/26/2005 12:31:18 PM · #9

yeah i was thinking along the same lines as well, but the 1D Mark II body (i don't think they have the 5D for rent yet) is $80 / day ... and i don't think i can rationalize that.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM

09/29/2005 08:11:10 AM · #10

one last plug for info...

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

09/29/2005 09:36:34 AM · #11

Originally posted by leaf:

That's why I think the 30mm f/1.8 would be a great choice. I really think you will find the 70-200mm utterly useless unless you are extremely tall and can elevate the camer several feet over most people's heads.

A lot depends on where you are situated as well. If you're on bleachers than I would say "go for it" otherwise I if you're down on the floor it probably will be too close to use it for anything more than face shots.