K-5 for sports-photography

**Miguel** · 07-28-2013, 10:55 PM

Originally posted by dosdan

Some U11 Soccer Action. K5 + Sigma 70-200/F2.8 II.

Dan.

Third shot is excellent for the capture of the intense expressions on the players.

M

jppp · 07-29-2013, 10:58 AM

Me and my K-5 & Tamron 70-200 f2.8 again. Last year it was U17 football, but the boys - or should I say men - grow older, and now they're already a U19 team.
It's the Finnish U19 championship series which we lead after 12 rounds together with a team from a neighbouring town.

This was shot through the net which almost completely disappears due to the f2.8 aperture.

Missed the focus but this shows that the guys play pretty hard.

The final score 2-0 in the making. A volley shot into the upper left corner from a narrow angle.

The second half was mostly shot against the sun.

I'm less and less happy with the AF of the camera. It's going to be interesting to see if there will be better offerings from Pentax in the near future - and if I'm able to pile up some dough for an upgrade. Or will I do something radical... we'll see.

Samyo · 07-29-2013, 02:35 PM - **1 Like**

jppp, I know exactly how you feel. Did you use AF-C and use the AF button on the back? I generally disable AF on my shutter release button (AF on back button) and anti shake for sports pictures and also stick to the centre AF point. It's not really using the system but I've found it works better. I also got the impression that my K-5 is quicker in AF-S mode. Occasionally I focus in AF-S (with focus priority) and rattle of a few shots which are normally in focus. Again, a way around a fairly slow and basic AF-C system compared to the competition. My K-5 with Sigma 18-200 mm was outperformed by a Canon EOS 20D with 70-200mm/f4 lens recently

but then Canon doesn't use the camera body to move the lens. I used a Nikon D7100 with a 18-105 mm lens however, and that was much slower than my K-5 with the kit lens.
Sometimes it is frustrating but using the AF button on the back helps a lot I find. I recently went to an airshow and the weather was rubbish so I wasn't expecting much (it's not technically sports I know but still fast moving). But looking at my pics at home made me realise that my "old" K-5 can take some lovely (in focus) pictures (with only a handful out of 700 not in focus) and it's still the photographer who decides. Although it might be just that little bit harder than it should be, using a Pentax ....

I've attached a few pics from the day. Shot with fungus infected (and in dire need of cleaning) Sigma 400mm f5.6 APO Macro Tele AF. Will wait and see what Pentax brings out next and take it from there ....... apart from trying to have the lens cleaned ...... ;-)

RonHendriks1966 · 07-29-2013, 02:37 PM

That must be a fun flightshow to watch.

**mattb123** · 07-29-2013, 03:09 PM

Great air show photos! I especially love that third one of the wing walker. Great stuff!

**crewl1** · 07-29-2013, 03:20 PM

Originally posted by Samyo

I've attached a few pics from the day.

Wonderful! Third one with the smoke is my fav also.

jppp · 07-30-2013, 12:07 AM

Originally posted by Samyo

Did you use AF-C and use the AF button on the back?

No, I use only the shutter button, and I've never really thought of disabling the AF from it and using the AF button instead. Maybe I'll give it a try.
On sunday my son was also in the line-up of a local 2nd division men's team (a farm for our elite team) and I tried out my Sony NEX-6 with a Pentax 55-300 lens from the grand stands. That didn't go well at all. Crappy pictures, basically no keepers. My manual focus was way off all the time and unfortunately the glass was worse that I remembered. I normally use the NEX-6 for close action in the matches with Sigma 30mm and 60mm lenses, not too much, though.

Edit: And Samyo, pretty nice pictures you've got!

Last edited by jppp; 07-30-2013 at 04:02 AM.

elpolodiablo · 07-30-2013, 06:21 AM

How about a bit of skate boarding action? I wasn't planning on shooting action that day, was down in Bondi for something else but decided to stayed for the skate competition and had a great time shooting.

Shot with K-5 classic with DA18-250

The last 2 was taken with the build in flash on, you can see the rest of the shots in my flickr stream.

GeroniMOE72 · 07-30-2013, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Yesterday in Waregem the first international game for the lady's from the Netherlands in 2013. Everything is for preparation for the coming European Championship in july in Sweden. Many players not present this time due to enjury's, clubthings and sick players at club Ajax (something in the food) Also the debut for the new tricot for the away games, where the man already had a chance to wear it a few days ago against Itali.

1) Captain Daphne Koster

2) For Belgium Tessa Wullaert on the ball.

3) Belgium wall knows the reputation off the freekicks from Sherida Spitse.

4) Goal selebrating, Daniëlle van de Donk in the middle.

5) Lieke Martens after the ball.

These shots are crazy! What glass were you using?

raphaelchekroun · 07-30-2013, 10:04 AM

What about some Basketball ?

**mattb123** · 07-30-2013, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by elpolodiablo

How about a bit of skate boarding action? I wasn't planning on shooting action that day, was down in Bondi for something else but decided to stayed for the skate competition and had a great time shooting.

Shot with K-5 classic with DA18-250

The last 2 was taken with the build in flash on, you can see the rest of the shots in my flickr stream.

Very nice! The light and shadow in the fist is excellent!

elpolodiablo · 07-30-2013, 04:34 PM

Originally posted by mattb123

Very nice! The light and shadow in the fist is excellent!

Thanks Matt, the first one is one of my favourite of the day too

GvilleRick · 08-03-2013, 08:13 AM

I went to the Big League World Series Championship game on Wednesday. The field layout made it tough to get good shots, especially since there was extra equipment there due to the game being televised nationally on ESPN2. I spent most of my time in the right field bleachers and used my Sigma 70-200 so these are pretty heavily cropped in most cases. Next year I may try and get a press pass so I can shoot from the field. Teams were Maracaibo, Venezuela (in green) and the Southeast US team from Greenville, SC. Greenville is only 15-20 miles from the game site in Easley, SC. They won the game scoring 6 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and holding on in the seventh to win 6-1. More photos on my Flickr site.

**dadipentak** · 08-03-2013, 01:28 PM

Nice action shots--each one has you on the edge of your seat!

rawr · 08-03-2013, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by elpolodiablo

K-5 classic with DA18-250

Great shots. That combo did very well too.

I can't recall Bondi having a big skate park down there on the main drag. Shows how long it's been since I last visited.

07-29-2013, 10:58 AM	#1442
jppp Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SW Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 143	Me and my K-5 & Tamron 70-200 f2.8 again. Last year it was U17 football, but the boys - or should I say men - grow older, and now they're already a U19 team. It's the Finnish U19 championship series which we lead after 12 rounds together with a team from a neighbouring town. This was shot through the net which almost completely disappears due to the f2.8 aperture. Missed the focus but this shows that the guys play pretty hard. The final score 2-0 in the making. A volley shot into the upper left corner from a narrow angle. The second half was mostly shot against the sun. I'm less and less happy with the AF of the camera. It's going to be interesting to see if there will be better offerings from Pentax in the near future - and if I'm able to pile up some dough for an upgrade. Or will I do something radical... we'll see. Last edited by jppp; 07-29-2013 at 12:09 PM.

07-29-2013, 02:35 PM - 1 Like	#1443
Samyo New Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cornwall Posts: 22	jppp, I know exactly how you feel. Did you use AF-C and use the AF button on the back? I generally disable AF on my shutter release button (AF on back button) and anti shake for sports pictures and also stick to the centre AF point. It's not really using the system but I've found it works better. I also got the impression that my K-5 is quicker in AF-S mode. Occasionally I focus in AF-S (with focus priority) and rattle of a few shots which are normally in focus. Again, a way around a fairly slow and basic AF-C system compared to the competition. My K-5 with Sigma 18-200 mm was outperformed by a Canon EOS 20D with 70-200mm/f4 lens recently but then Canon doesn't use the camera body to move the lens. I used a Nikon D7100 with a 18-105 mm lens however, and that was much slower than my K-5 with the kit lens. Sometimes it is frustrating but using the AF button on the back helps a lot I find. I recently went to an airshow and the weather was rubbish so I wasn't expecting much (it's not technically sports I know but still fast moving). But looking at my pics at home made me realise that my "old" K-5 can take some lovely (in focus) pictures (with only a handful out of 700 not in focus) and it's still the photographer who decides. Although it might be just that little bit harder than it should be, using a Pentax .... I've attached a few pics from the day. Shot with fungus infected (and in dire need of cleaning) Sigma 400mm f5.6 APO Macro Tele AF. Will wait and see what Pentax brings out next and take it from there ....... apart from trying to have the lens cleaned ...... ;-) Attached Images

07-30-2013, 10:04 AM	#1450
raphaelchekroun New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: la Rochelle, France Posts: 12	What about some Basketball ? Attached Images

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07-28-2013, 10:55 PM	#1441
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Originally posted by dosdan Some U11 Soccer Action. K5 + Sigma 70-200/F2.8 II. Dan. Third shot is excellent for the capture of the intense expressions on the players. M

07-29-2013, 02:37 PM	#1444
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675 Original Poster	That must be a fun flightshow to watch.

07-29-2013, 03:09 PM	#1445
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,873	Great air show photos! I especially love that third one of the wing walker. Great stuff!

07-29-2013, 03:20 PM	#1446
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by Samyo I've attached a few pics from the day. Wonderful! Third one with the smoke is my fav also.

07-30-2013, 12:07 AM	#1447
jppp Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SW Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 143	Originally posted by Samyo Did you use AF-C and use the AF button on the back? No, I use only the shutter button, and I've never really thought of disabling the AF from it and using the AF button instead. Maybe I'll give it a try. On sunday my son was also in the line-up of a local 2nd division men's team (a farm for our elite team) and I tried out my Sony NEX-6 with a Pentax 55-300 lens from the grand stands. That didn't go well at all. Crappy pictures, basically no keepers. My manual focus was way off all the time and unfortunately the glass was worse that I remembered. I normally use the NEX-6 for close action in the matches with Sigma 30mm and 60mm lenses, not too much, though. Edit: And Samyo, pretty nice pictures you've got! Last edited by jppp; 07-30-2013 at 04:02 AM.

07-30-2013, 06:21 AM	#1448
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637	How about a bit of skate boarding action? I wasn't planning on shooting action that day, was down in Bondi for something else but decided to stayed for the skate competition and had a great time shooting. Shot with K-5 classic with DA18-250 The last 2 was taken with the build in flash on, you can see the rest of the shots in my flickr stream.

07-30-2013, 07:17 AM	#1449
GeroniMOE72 New Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 11	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Yesterday in Waregem the first international game for the lady's from the Netherlands in 2013. Everything is for preparation for the coming European Championship in july in Sweden. Many players not present this time due to enjury's, clubthings and sick players at club Ajax (something in the food) Also the debut for the new tricot for the away games, where the man already had a chance to wear it a few days ago against Itali. 1) Captain Daphne Koster 2) For Belgium Tessa Wullaert on the ball. 3) Belgium wall knows the reputation off the freekicks from Sherida Spitse. 4) Goal selebrating, Daniëlle van de Donk in the middle. 5) Lieke Martens after the ball. These shots are crazy! What glass were you using?

07-30-2013, 10:35 AM	#1451
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,873	Originally posted by elpolodiablo How about a bit of skate boarding action? I wasn't planning on shooting action that day, was down in Bondi for something else but decided to stayed for the skate competition and had a great time shooting. Shot with K-5 classic with DA18-250 The last 2 was taken with the build in flash on, you can see the rest of the shots in my flickr stream. Very nice! The light and shadow in the fist is excellent!

07-30-2013, 04:34 PM	#1452
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637	Originally posted by mattb123 Very nice! The light and shadow in the fist is excellent! Thanks Matt, the first one is one of my favourite of the day too

08-03-2013, 08:13 AM	#1453
GvilleRick Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,690	I went to the Big League World Series Championship game on Wednesday. The field layout made it tough to get good shots, especially since there was extra equipment there due to the game being televised nationally on ESPN2. I spent most of my time in the right field bleachers and used my Sigma 70-200 so these are pretty heavily cropped in most cases. Next year I may try and get a press pass so I can shoot from the field. Teams were Maracaibo, Venezuela (in green) and the Southeast US team from Greenville, SC. Greenville is only 15-20 miles from the game site in Easley, SC. They won the game scoring 6 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and holding on in the seventh to win 6-1. More photos on my Flickr site.

08-03-2013, 01:28 PM	#1454
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Nice action shots--each one has you on the edge of your seat!

08-03-2013, 06:22 PM	#1455
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by elpolodiablo K-5 classic with DA18-250 Great shots. That combo did very well too. I can't recall Bondi having a big skate park down there on the main drag. Shows how long it's been since I last visited.