I have been shooting my granddaughter's volleyball team the last 5 years with fair success using my Sigma 150-500. The action was slow enough for me to follow. This weekend, using the Canon 100-400 lense, I was having trouble following the much faster action, so I was wondering what techniques everyone uses, and or, shorter lenses. Do you focus on one player and try to follow her, or try to anticipate the ball, which is what I was doing. Or, do I need a shorter (100mm) lense? Any input is appreciated.
auntmary wrote:
I have been shooting my granddaughter's volleyball team the last 5 years with fair success using my Sigma 150-500. The action was slow enough for me to follow. This weekend, using the Canon 100-400 lense, I was having trouble following the much faster action, so I was wondering what techniques everyone uses, and or, shorter lenses. Do you focus on one player and try to follow her, or try to anticipate the ball, which is what I was doing. Or, do I need a shorter (100mm) lense? Any input is appreciated.
I have been shooting my granddaughter's volleyball... (
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Your question is very confusing. 100-400 is already shorter than 150-500. If you could follow with the longer zoom lens, why are you having trouble with the 100-400?
P.S. In sports, almost always follow the ball. the action had to be where the ball is eventually.
Sorry, I guess I didn't explain myself very well. The girls are older and the action is much faster than when I was using the 150-500. Thanks for your response.
Shorter lens. I use to shoot high school volleyball.i used a 85 f1.8 and a 200 f2.8
When I shot the AAU Tournament in Orlando this past June I did not have ideal equipment. I shot with a Nikon D7200 and a Nikkor 18-200mm lens. Lighting was not the best. Shot from both courtside and overhead positions. At least 95% of my shots were taken between 18mm and 50mm. Anything out of that range was for some special effect or shot. IMHO using a 100mm-400mm lens puts the action on you to fast to react.
Hope this helps you.
Don
My recommendation is to use a fixed prime, my choice is an 85mm on a d7200 crop sensor. Shoot at f1.8, shutter speed of 1/640, and auto iso. Back button focus, single point continuous. Then get close to the action and the crop and post process - shoot raw! I have written a few threads now and attached photos. Just check the sports photography section for them!
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