Rangerfan

I'm taking photos at a black belt exam this saturday. I have a Canon 70-200 f4 and a Canon 24-70 f2.8. The event is indoors. Which lens would you choose?

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

If the light levels are low and/or you are relatively close to the actyion I would choose the 24-70 f2.8
If the light levels are ok to shoot with an f4 lens I would choose the 70-200.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

How close can you get to the participants and how well lit is the venue? I shoot HS wrestling in very low light gyms, and I’m often at 1/250, ISO 8000-12,800 with a 70-200 f2.8 wide open. The 24-70 may be a bit short unless you can get fairly close (requiring cropping later), but you’ll appreciate the speed. The 70-200 is the right choice in terms of FL, but f4 may drive you to unreasonable ISOs if the venue is poorly lit. Why not take both and choose when you get a chance to evaluate the distance and the lighting?

Vietnam Vet

Is there any reason you can't take both of them?

Quixdraw Loc: x

You don't say - but easier if you are a martial artist as well since you then know more about what will be happening before it does. Mostly things happen pretty fast. All of the dojos I have learned and taught in have been pretty small compared to places I wrestled in college. You might be able to do the job with faster / shorter lens. Capturing the technique and flow of action, warts wrinkles and all is the key. A tremendous value / gift to the Tori. A few snaps to test the light before the "ball drops" can make it all work well, as can a copy of the test plan, if such is used. Best of luck.

Joe Blow

I would use the 24-70 and try to get a spot on the floor near to the action.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

What camera body? I would take both lenses but if I had to pick one I would pick the 70-200... you can’t always get closer but you usually can move back a little if needed... High ISO and anti flicker may be helpful if your body has them.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Having shot my grandson’s wrestling match in a high school gym, I’d suggest the 70-200. You’ll need the reach.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes - the two variables: light and distance. Bring both lenses and swap them when necessary.

khorinek

Take both if you can and use whichever lens gives you the best focal point. If you are far from the mat use the 70-200 if closer use the 24-70. Or, buy another body and use both at the same time.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

For an exam, you should be able to be fairly close so the 24-70 is long enough and you may even need to drop shorter than 70 at times. (This assumes a studio setting for a test. If this is more of a large gymnasium setting and you are not on or near the floor, the 70-200 may be necessary, but those sort of events are fairly rare for tests and are usually covered by a team of shooters). The faster aperture will allow you to use a higher shutter speed and shoot in burst mode.
I assume you are familiar with sport, so you should be able to predict the action to a degree. Unfortunately (for photographers) MA action is VERY fast and much less predictable than nearly any other sport. Because of this you may need to start your burst further ahead of the action than you would in a field sport where you can see where the action going further ahead. (Think of football where you can see where the ball is going and where the players are going. Once a play starts it becomes fairly locked in) In MA much of the skill is in misdirection followed by a lightning fast move. In a belt test specifics are being tested in the early parts and predictability can be fairly easy. This section is going to cover forms or katas and specific set moves and should be relatively easy to shoot, if you are familiar with the style. If it is a 1st, 2nd or even 3rd Dan the sparring should be straight forward and manageable. The higher the degree the more difficult any sparring will be to capture.
You will want to know the limits of your camera body relative to FPS and buffer limitations. In some ways the buffer is the more important. You may not want to shoot RAW for this reason. Shooting in highest quality JPEG will give you more time on a burst than shooting RAW. If you decide you want to shoot RAW, do not shoot RAW + JPEG to avoid the same buffer issues.
My B-I-L is a Grand Master and I have shot a few tests and other events for him.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Mid range 2.8, definitely!

Rangerfan

My body is a Canon 5D Mark II. Yes, I can bring both lenses. I will try them both out ahead of time. The lighting should be fairly good, it's in a university gym. I know exactly what to expect (been doing this 7 years), I just really wanted to borrow a 70-200 2.8 since I don't have one. I was able to borrow the 70-200 f4 instead. I just don't know if f4 is fast enough. I normally do portrait photography, so another question: should I turn off the Image Stabilization? Also, shoot in high jpeg instead of RAW, correct?

Rangerfan

Thanks, I missed this response before I asked the question about RAW and IS. :)