Covered a local inter-school rugby game on Wednesday night. It rained and RAINED! So good not having to worry about the camera, only the lens, which I cover with a plastic bag (real pro!). The lights aren't too good, I had to stay between the 22's (middle 2 quarters) as the lights at the end are not good. As it is I generally use f2.8, 1/350, ISO1600-4500, monopod.

Here's some pics-
The Haka (a Maori war dance, reasonably common tradition before a sports game, in this case both teams did it at once and got very close to each other)-
1 (2.8, 1/500, 2200)


2 (2.8, 1/350, 2200)


Onto the game-
3 (2.8, 1/350, 1600)


4 (2.8, 1/350, 2200)


5 (2.8, 1/350, 1600)


6 (2.8, 1/500, 1600)


7 (2.8, 1/500, 1600)

[jezza323]

great shots and looks like a lot of rain!

would have loved to see the kids getting into the haka at each other.

[Transit]

woo excellent shots in trying conditions !
heck that lens does well wide open

[Class A]

The lights aren't too good, I had to stay between the 22's (middle 2 quarters) as the lights at the end are not good.

Very nice shots.
I think the light worked in your favour. There is some nice 3D quality about some of the shots.

I'd crop out the guy on the left on the last image. Nice impression of the rain.

Nice work, Arpe.

[alehel]

I love nr 2.

I spent a year in Durham, UK a few years back and Rugby is by far what I miss the most about england. Love the game. I listen to it over the radio here in Norway as I can't get it on tv.

Great shots. What kind of lens did you use? Personally I'm looking forward to seeing the K7 kit lens due to the rumors that it will be weather sealed. If that's true, I might buy the lens (don't need a body upgrade).

[mickey]

They are very good shots, considering the condistions and lighting.
Like the 1st and 2nd pics, especially.
I think the darkness and artificial lighting really adds to the pictures.

[Arpe]

Thanks guys. I'm not that keen on the artificial light look, but it's good to know some are.

I used a Sigma 70-200/2.8, 1st gen. Usually for rugby I add the Sigma 1.4x, but not enough light here for that.

btw the way Noise ninja was used on these, well usually only on the ones at 2200 or higher.

[deadwolfbones]

4 is an awesome shot. I'd maybe crop out the pole along the left edge, though.

[juanraortiz]

Fantastis job. The one with the player jumping and the drops falling around is superb

[daacon]

Very good action shots. I like the whole series actually. Nicely done.

[Bramela]

An excellent series, Arpe. Very well done. The colour and sharpness, and the way you have picked the rain one or two of the shots is awesome.

[gawan]

Great action series, the last shot is by far my favourite!

[Arpe]

Thanks all.

The camera is still going. Though I put it and the lenses and the backpack in the hot water cupboard for a few days just to be safe (and found a USB flash drive that I couldn't find in there that had been through the wash - it still goes!). I spray the bag with waterproofer, but it still gets through some places.

[StephenG]

hell - looks like your "school kids" are a lot like our "school kids".... most of them in their early 20's already..

great photos under those conditions....



and just for the record.. "Go Stormers..." (well, maybe next year....)

[Jonson PL]

These are some brilliant action shots. I don’t know the sport, but you got some really telling pictures.

Are they taken with K20 ? I didn’t notice at all that the Iso was high.