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05-13-2019, 05:04 AM   #1
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Pentax DA* 60-250mm F4 should I use one for a night baseball game ?

I am going to Coors Field in early June and will be attempting to take photos at the two night games I will be attending [ Go Cubs ]
start time scheduled for 6:40 PM and sunset expected around 8:30 PM

I just realized that my D FA * 70-200mm F2.8 is two inches over the maximum 6 inch length allowed for lenses

I do have the DA 55-300 F4.5-6.3 PLM zoom which is smaller than the 6 inch limitation but I am curious as to whether I should look at obtaining or renting the DA * 60-2500mm F4 which is just over the limitation ( 3.2 x 6.6 in. )

is it worth getting ( purchase or rental )

any thoughts or comments ?

thanks for the help

05-13-2019, 05:33 AM   #2
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If it's at all over the limit I wouldn't take it. Do you have access to the 50-135? That and the HD 1.4x makes a compact 70-190 f4 that still can be a 50-135 f2.8 when you want.
05-13-2019, 05:59 AM   #3
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I expect there will be lights. If it's bright enough to pick up a fastball I'm sure it's bright enough for the 55-300PLM.

Do NOT buy another lens.
05-13-2019, 06:20 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
If it's at all over the limit I wouldn't take it. Do you have access to the 50-135? That and the HD 1.4x makes a compact 70-190 f4 that still can be a 50-135 f2.8 when you want.
no I don't

I just found out what section the group will be seated:

Monday’s game tickets are located in Section 241, Club Level Infield and Tuesday’s game tickets are located in Section 143, Midfield Box

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/amenities/images/rockies.gif

I had not thought about combining my 1.4 rear converter with another lens

I do have:

SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited 49 F

SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro 49 F

SMC Pentax-A 135mm F2.8 52 F


I think it would work with those lenses any thoughts on that ?

____________

QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
I expect there will be lights. If it's bright enough to pick up a fastball I'm sure it's bright enough for the 55-300PLM.

Do NOT buy another lens.
You are 100 % correct ( you didn't say not to rent though )

but what about the quality difference if any between them?

User Reviews Rating:

PLM 8.88

* 60-250 9.52

[ and what is the fun in not giving in to LBA ]


Last edited by aslyfox; 05-13-2019 at 07:07 AM.
05-13-2019, 08:10 AM   #5
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I would just go with the 55-300 if these are for your own use and web sharing. Sure, they'll be a bit more grainy than with a brighter lens, but you are clearly within the allowed limits and you're familiar with the lens. Hand holding the 60-250 for a whole game is possible but it isn't fun
05-13-2019, 08:27 AM   #6
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I like Coors Field for baseball and it’s a fun venue! The 55~300mm PLM zoom would be sufficient & convenient, even if it rains/snows. Great street opportunities nearby, too.
05-13-2019, 08:41 AM   #7
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I've been to a couple of pro football games, and the camera checkers were pretty diligent at checking lens size. They may even ask you to extend the 55-300. OTOH, at the Diamondbacks baseball game a few years ago, they didn't seem to care at all. Local option, I guess.

Do you have a Q series and K adapter? Your 100 macro becomes a ~500 tele in that situation! They won't bat an eyelash at that combo,

05-13-2019, 08:48 AM - 1 Like   #8
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I've brought my camera to a number of night pro sporting events. Orioles, Norfolk Tides, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball. DC United soccer. And I've tried different combinations of lenses depending on situation. I went to an O's playoff game with a K-30 and the DA 35 f/2.4 plastic fantastic, and got some good shots. Obviously not capturing the sweat dripping off the pitcher's nose, but capturing the atmosphere of the stadium. I've brought a 55-300 a number of times, and just let the ISO go where it wanted, and got pretty good results. I brought a Rokinon fisheye a couple times, and that was interesting.

I wouldn't get too hung up on a really long lens to duplicate Sports Illustrated action shots on the bases. I'd probably just bring something convenient and use that in whatever way is comfortable. Or just leave the camera at home and enjoy a ballgame. You could keep score. Or drink a beer.
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05-13-2019, 08:53 AM   #9
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thank you folks for all the advice

____________________


QuoteOriginally posted by aaacb Quote
. . . Hand holding the 60-250 for a whole game is possible but it isn't fun
as far as hand holding the D A *60-250

Diam x Length 81 x 168 mm (3.2 x 6.6 in.)
Weight 1040 g (36.7 oz.)
w/ Hood: +75

I just got done with taking photos at Kauffman Stadium last Friday with my D FA * 70 -200

Diam x Length 91.5 x 203 mm (3.6 x 8 in.)
Weight 1755 g (61.9 oz.)
w/ Hood: +80g

and didn't have any problems so I think that wouldn't be a problem

there is a thread about that game here:


https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/387081-sports-philli...onus-game.html



___________________________________________

QuoteOriginally posted by ThorSanchez Quote
. . . You could keep score. Or drink a beer.
I use to love to keep a score card

but the shifts they employ now drives me batty trying to score with the third baseman or short stop playing out of position

so I don't do it any more

as far as drinking a beer, well, there is always breaks in the action for plenty of that.

___________________________________________________________________

QuoteOriginally posted by AstroDave Quote
. . . Do you have a Q series and K adapter? Your 100 macro becomes a ~500 tele in that situation! They won't bat an eyelash at that combo,
no only the K 3 and K 3 II

Last edited by aslyfox; 05-13-2019 at 09:18 AM.
05-13-2019, 08:54 AM - 1 Like   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by aslyfox Quote
SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited 49 FSMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro 49 FSMC Pentax-A 135mm F2.8 52 F
I'd probably grab the 100 with the 1.4 to have AF.

But you have the 55-300PLM. That's my first choice. Hopefully well lit enough you'd be fine at something like ISO 3200.

I would absolutely not take anything over the limit. This will be a yes/no decision made by the lowest common denominator who will not care what you say or present, and you'll either have to give up your lens or give up seeing the game. Not worth either. Take something else.
05-13-2019, 09:57 AM   #11
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Take your PLM and Let the ISO do its magic.
1. In the post work on the noise reduction very gently (only upto a point where you don't start to lose the detail, the thing that softens the image avoid it).
2. Cut the haze and pump in some contrast if it is not already there in the image.
3. Export as a 1200 X 1800 pix image or 2048 max on the long end and you will be thrilled to see these pictures on your phone.

60-250 can be tiring if you can't take the monopod or use the back rest of the seat in the front of you.

Last edited by shardulm; 05-13-2019 at 09:59 AM. Reason: Added more info
05-13-2019, 11:19 AM   #12
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If I was in your situation I would happily go with the PLM. Its compact size and fast focus will do you well. Stadiums are well lit so even a night game should have enough light (except, maybe the deep outfield) that you can use ISO 800 or less and still get good shots.
05-13-2019, 03:47 PM   #13
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Another vote for the 55-300 PLM.

You'll be forced to use higher ISOs. Shoot raw, and in post processing, remove all sharpening, then add just enough colour noise reduction to get rid of the colour noise, or reduce it enough that it doesn't matter. Export to TIFF at your chosen reproduction resolution. Load the TIFF back into your post processing software and, at 100% reproduction, apply very gentle luminance noise reduction as and if required. You're not looking to remove the noise, but reduce it to a level that you feel is just about acceptable. Finally, add very gentle sharpening, using masking to ensure you're only sharpening edges and largely ignoring any noise.

You're not going to end up with large, noise-free prints this way. But you should be able to get decent photos - very decent, depending on your post processing.
05-13-2019, 05:32 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
I expect there will be lights. If it's bright enough to pick up a fastball I'm sure it's bright enough for the 55-300PLM.

Do NOT buy another lens.
^^^^^This^^^^^
05-13-2019, 08:36 PM - 1 Like   #15
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It looks like the seats face northeast so the sun will be behind you.
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