K-5 for sports-photography

aurele · 03-05-2013, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Thanks for these images and advice. I'm afraid off hights (when on a ladder) so that is no option for me. No idea if it's possible to get a good view from above, nearby or from a distance. I'll see that at the event. I'm in with accreditation, so I'm gonna have some fun.

i've looked the video of the the NK championship 2012 (terribly bad filmed btw) and i think you will have acces to the top (like often) and the front of the climbing area. There is often some elevated stage on the side for the video necessity.

Bouldering comps are always very fun and with a lot of suspense : it's never over, there is always a way to fail and loose, even if you have touch the last hold

JETninja · 03-05-2013, 10:56 PM

Wow, am I glad to see this thread! I shoot everything, including lots of sports. (Mostly kids and HS) and tons of racing (American Lemans) and when I saw reviews dissing the K-5 for Sports Photography, I thought, could it really be any worse then my 6+ year old K200D (which takes awesome sports shots). I picked up a very low use one (under 3K shutter actuations) and plan on taking it to Laguna Seca this coming May. Already ordered a grip, more SD cards and plan on a Stereo Mic for video. Hoping my Eye cup from my K200 fits also.

Love the shots in here, keep it up!

jani80 · 03-07-2013, 02:57 PM

Didn't climb myself today so I had a chance to take a few shots. Here is Samuel Hammer age 14 training his fingers!

aurele · 03-08-2013, 04:38 AM

hum ! the joy of the Gullich's

gamester · 03-09-2013, 01:13 PM

**Miguel** · 03-09-2013, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by tabl10s

@Ron,

How many un-level shots do you get when doing a game? I'm getting several because i'm not concentrating on the background.

Lots, usually happens when I'm tracking a play and it concludes in a flurry of activity. Usually easily fixable in Lightroom. Having a vertical marker lke a goal post or a fence line helps.

M

**dadipentak** · 03-09-2013, 07:36 PM

Originally posted by Miguel

easily fixable

Agree--keeping consistently level while shooting is not a high priority for me..

dosdan · 03-10-2013, 03:55 PM

Regarding levelling in PP:

Originally posted by Miguel

Lots, usually happens when I'm tracking a play and it concludes in a flurry of activity.

That's why I use a tripod rather than a monopod. I spend some time levelling before the game, and as long as I don't knock the tripod too much, it reduces the need to level afterwards.

Using a tripod with a large lens on a tripod mode (Sigma 70-200/F2.8 or DA*60-250/F4) makes it a bit more difficult when you change position. I usually carry the tripod with fully extend legs+camera+lens over my shoulder, making sure that, during the rain, the front of the lens hood is facing downwards.

Here are some shots from the 1st day of the Queensland Little Athletics 2013 South East Regional Championships held at Browns Plains. It drizzled or poured for much of the day. The grass track was a mess. K-5 & DA* 60-250/F4. No raincoat for either me or my equipment. Ah, happy times!

U12 1500m - this was one of the first events and it set the tone for the day. 60mm FL was too tight for this, so I had to move back to fit it in.

U16 & U17 800m

The puddle they are splashing around in is the Finish line. This was an early lap so they're not straining like mad yet.

Dan.

**Miguel** · 03-10-2013, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by dosdan

Regarding levelling in PP:

That's why I use a tripod rather than a monopod.

Dan.

For me, the value of either a tripod or monopod depends on both the particular sport I'm covering and my role within the coverage plan. For games played partially in the air, like soccer, both are not all that helpful. If I'm covering solo, I've got to move around the pitch somewhat, and that extra hardware slows me down. I also like to stay low at player level for typical passing plays and then be able to rise to the occasion.

If I have the luxury of working with other shooters, then my field position can be more stable and sometimes hardware support can be nice. Some sports, like baseball, track (nice shots BTW), bicycling etc require participants to move more predictably and in line, and I agree on the utility of a tripod.

M

slip · 03-10-2013, 05:12 PM

One with a K5iis and a *50-135 2.8 likely wide open ISO 3200

RonHendriks1966 · 03-11-2013, 08:34 AM

I was in the rain and cold too last saturday. Covering a game from the girls that helped out with the catering on the opening of my photo-exhibition:

**dadipentak** · 03-11-2013, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

the girls that helped out with the catering on the opening of my photo-exhibition:

Great idea!

GvilleRick · 03-15-2013, 02:18 PM

Had the chance to shoot some track and baseball this week.

treebeard · 03-15-2013, 03:55 PM

Okay, I will add a few.

**Ex Finn.** · 03-15-2013, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by treebeard

Okay, I will add a few.

The first and the second shot are excellent.

03-10-2013, 03:55 PM	#1193
dosdan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,741	Fun in the Sun Regarding levelling in PP: Originally posted by Miguel Lots, usually happens when I'm tracking a play and it concludes in a flurry of activity. That's why I use a tripod rather than a monopod. I spend some time levelling before the game, and as long as I don't knock the tripod too much, it reduces the need to level afterwards. Using a tripod with a large lens on a tripod mode (Sigma 70-200/F2.8 or DA60-250/F4) makes it a bit more difficult when you change position. I usually carry the tripod with fully extend legs+camera+lens over my shoulder, making sure that, during the rain, the front of the lens hood is facing downwards. Here are some shots from the 1st day of the Queensland Little Athletics 2013 South East Regional Championships held at Browns Plains. It drizzled or poured for much of the day. The grass track was a mess. K-5 & DA 60-250/F4. No raincoat for either me or my equipment. Ah, happy times! U12 1500m - this was one of the first events and it set the tone for the day. 60mm FL was too tight for this, so I had to move back to fit it in. U16 & U17 800m The puddle they are splashing around in is the Finish line. This was an early lap so they're not straining like mad yet. Dan. Last edited by dosdan; 03-10-2013 at 06:14 PM.

03-10-2013, 05:12 PM	#1195
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	One with a K5iis and a 50-135 2.8 likely wide open ISO 3200 Last edited by slip; 07-15-2013 at 12:41 PM.*

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03-05-2013, 12:02 PM	#1186
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Thanks for these images and advice. I'm afraid off hights (when on a ladder) so that is no option for me. No idea if it's possible to get a good view from above, nearby or from a distance. I'll see that at the event. I'm in with accreditation, so I'm gonna have some fun. i've looked the video of the the NK championship 2012 (terribly bad filmed btw) and i think you will have acces to the top (like often) and the front of the climbing area. There is often some elevated stage on the side for the video necessity. Bouldering comps are always very fun and with a lot of suspense : it's never over, there is always a way to fail and loose, even if you have touch the last hold

03-05-2013, 10:56 PM	#1187
JETninja Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sammamish, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 161	Wow, am I glad to see this thread! I shoot everything, including lots of sports. (Mostly kids and HS) and tons of racing (American Lemans) and when I saw reviews dissing the K-5 for Sports Photography, I thought, could it really be any worse then my 6+ year old K200D (which takes awesome sports shots). I picked up a very low use one (under 3K shutter actuations) and plan on taking it to Laguna Seca this coming May. Already ordered a grip, more SD cards and plan on a Stereo Mic for video. Hoping my Eye cup from my K200 fits also. Love the shots in here, keep it up!

03-07-2013, 02:57 PM	#1188
jani80 Inactive Account Join Date: May 2011 Location: Helsinki Photos: Gallery Posts: 64	Didn't climb myself today so I had a chance to take a few shots. Here is Samuel Hammer age 14 training his fingers!

03-08-2013, 04:38 AM	#1189
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	hum ! the joy of the Gullich's

03-09-2013, 01:13 PM	#1190
gamester New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 7

03-09-2013, 01:36 PM	#1191
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Originally posted by tabl10s @Ron, How many un-level shots do you get when doing a game? I'm getting several because i'm not concentrating on the background. Lots, usually happens when I'm tracking a play and it concludes in a flurry of activity. Usually easily fixable in Lightroom. Having a vertical marker lke a goal post or a fence line helps. M

03-09-2013, 07:36 PM	#1192
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Miguel easily fixable Agree--keeping consistently level while shooting is not a high priority for me..

03-10-2013, 04:43 PM	#1194
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Originally posted by dosdan Regarding levelling in PP: That's why I use a tripod rather than a monopod. Dan. For me, the value of either a tripod or monopod depends on both the particular sport I'm covering and my role within the coverage plan. For games played partially in the air, like soccer, both are not all that helpful. If I'm covering solo, I've got to move around the pitch somewhat, and that extra hardware slows me down. I also like to stay low at player level for typical passing plays and then be able to rise to the occasion. If I have the luxury of working with other shooters, then my field position can be more stable and sometimes hardware support can be nice. Some sports, like baseball, track (nice shots BTW), bicycling etc require participants to move more predictably and in line, and I agree on the utility of a tripod. M

03-11-2013, 08:34 AM	#1196
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675 Original Poster	I was in the rain and cold too last saturday. Covering a game from the girls that helped out with the catering on the opening of my photo-exhibition:

03-11-2013, 10:39 AM	#1197
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 the girls that helped out with the catering on the opening of my photo-exhibition: Great idea!

03-15-2013, 02:18 PM	#1198
GvilleRick Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,689	Had the chance to shoot some track and baseball this week.

03-15-2013, 04:55 PM	#1200
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by treebeard Okay, I will add a few. The first and the second shot are excellent.