One thing though…that’s a 400 f/2.8 lens, not f/4. Canon does not even make a 400 f/4IS lens…but if they did it would be a lot smaller/lighter!

Alan

Paulo

A noticed a few of you asked about ISO 200.

This is simply a starting point… I know that on a generally sunny day, I can usually set my exposure to ISO 200, f4 and 1/2000 of a second to get going. At times it may vary, but generally, this is a good starting point. If I am shooting backlit, then I will always shoot with an aperture of 2.8 and an ISO of at least 400. On the newer bodies, I would rather have a faster shutter speed than I would a lower ISO. For that reason, I begin at 200 ISO and make any necessary changes. Yesterday, I was shooting a 600 f4, so If I had shot anything backlit, I would have been shooting at times with an ISO of about 800. Once again, I do my best to keep my shutter speed on day games at 1/2000 of a second. Anything less than that, and I can see movement somewhere.

Shooting on a sunny day can get very tough to keep you highlights under control and shadows from being too dark (think 1 pm game, dark skin and shadows in helmets from the sun) –– games like that, backlit is my favorite choice. Shooting backlit, you generally have nicer backgrounds great mid tones and amazing specular highlights.

As far as IS goes, I rarely use it… When shooting at shutter speeds of 1/2000 of a second, the monopod is really only a tool to keep from throwing out your back and wearing your arms down over the 3 hours or so a game is going on. Theoretically, you could hand hold the 400 if you wanted to. I only use IS when I am shooting at shutter speeds that could pick up camera movement. I hand hold my 300 2.8 IS.

For AF, I use single point, center. I have played around with them all, but 99% of the time, I am using the center. Other times, I manually focus a portrait or such if I need to shoot quickly… In sports, you often times do not have time to point your center focus point at the eyes and reframe. I made that mistake far too many times, so I learned to manual focus. If you do it, more times than not, you will miss the shot… too many people are moving around and if the athletes see you, they will generally move or turn their head.

I hope all this helps… If any of you have any other sports related questions, I will be happy to answer them for you. You can shoot me an email though my web site.

Paul Abell
Buccaneers Team Photographer

Just got your 7-Point book for Photoshop CS3 — It makes sense to me — Where do I find the lesson images to download? Anxious to get started.

Please reply ASAP,
Diane G.

Any advise on this is greatly appreciated….GREAT photos!!!
BTW……you won’t need the 5D once the new Nikon’s are shipped!!!

But BOO on your Bucs for giving my Titans one of their only losses this year.

Great pics. I only wish I could get on the field during a football game, college/pro either would be fine. I shot NASCAR on Sunday from my seats. Tonight I get to go courtside for a small D1 College in Oklahoma that is in the first year of basketball for the school. In fact, it is the first home game ever. I sure hope I can get some decent shots. I doubt they will be as good as yours, but maybe I’ll get lucky.

See ya and keep inspiring,

Mike