5d Mk III - outdoor night time sports

[nonac]

Here are a couple shots taken last night at a local high school football game. My first attempt at a night game with my Mark III.  Both shots were taken using a 70-200 f/2.8 II lens.  Both were shot at 200mm @ f/2.8 and the shutter speed was 1/500 sec.  The ISO was set to auto and the leaping interception was at ISO 2000, the pass by the quarterback at ISO 4000.

[sandymandy]

The leap shot is really cool

[JP]

Nice pictures. (But why the gigantic copyright message?)

[Kernuak]

It's probably a sad reflection of society that thinks anything on the web is free for them to use, however they want. A copyright notice doesn't prevent theft, but it does make the theft require a bit more effort, so may deter some casual thieves and it also reminds people that it is in fact copyrighted, as there is also a misconception among many, that it is only copyrighted if it says so. That's certainly the compromise I have made between having my work visible and making it slightly harder to steal. It doesn't stop a determined thief, but then very little would.

[DB]

@nonac - I really like your second shot, with the QB throwing the ball, avoiding the tackler with the faceless crowds and coaching staff in the background. What's interesting is that @ 1/500s was still too slow to freeze the movement in his fingers (of his throwing arm), yet everything else looks perfect. Ken Rockwell always says that 1/1000s is the minimum shutter speed for freezing action, however that would require an even higher ISO, but from what I've seen and read of the 5D3 is that it can produce clean shots up to and including ISO 12,800. Great shots.

[AudioGlenn]

@nonac - I really like your second shot, with the QB throwing the ball, avoiding the tackler with the faceless crowds and coaching staff in the background. What's interesting is that @ 1/500s was still too slow to freeze the movement in his fingers (of his throwing arm), yet everything else looks perfect. Ken Rockwell always says that 1/1000s is the minimum shutter speed for freezing action, however that would require an even higher ISO, but from what I've seen and read of the 5D3 is that it can produce clean shots up to and including ISO 12,800. Great shots.

I actually like the motion blur on the quarterback's hand.  Look cool.  I have to admit though, I noticed the copyright before I actually looked at the picture.

[rpt]

Beautifully done. Look at the expression on #14 in the first picture. May be he was expecting the pass to come to him...

[zim]

Really enjoyed looking at these thanks for posting. Only one comment though, could you push the dark background so we can see some irrelevant detail and some nice stripy DR please 

[carlc]

Nonac, you no good evil dog.  I had talked myself out of the 5DmkIII and you have to go and post these wonderful shots.  They are fantastic.  I realize it is 80% photographer and 20% his/her equipment, however you have rekindled the 5DmkIII flame within me.  So when my wife has my butt for buying this camera, I will explain that it is all your fault...

Very nice captures, Sports Illustrated quality.

[nonac]

Thanks for the comments everybody.  The 5d Mk III has allowed me to get these shots.  I would never have even attempted these pics with the camera that it replaced (40d).  Someone had originally asked why I used auto ISO and now I don't see there post.  I used auto ISO because even though it looks like nice even light on the field, there are variances at different parts and you never know when the play you are shooting may enter a darker or brighter spot.  I absolutely love shooting manual aperture and shutter speed and using auto ISO.  The 5d Mk III gives you the latitude to do this.  I have had some "keeper" shots as high as ISO 12800.  I'm still learning the autofocus variations and trying to adapt them to various situations.  I have had some great success with indoor volleyball and I'm looking forward to the start of basketball in a few weeks.     

[nonac]

Nonac, you no good evil dog.  I had talked myself out of the 5DmkIII and you have to go and post these wonderful shots.  They are fantastic.  I realize it is 80% photographer and 20% his/her equipment, however you have rekindled the 5DmkIII flame within me.  So when my wife has my butt for buying this camera, I will explain that it is all your fault...

Very nice captures, Sports Illustrated quality.

Sorry, just tell your wife how happy it will make you!  I guess there are some advantages for me, such as being single?