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After going to Saturday's minimeet, I went out to the Swans v Essendon game at the SCG. Wasn't even going to have my camera with me because of the weather, but noticed as I parked the car that the sun was out, and all seemed well.

What the hell I said, and grabbed the microtrekker out of the boot. Managed to get a good 3.5 quarters of shooting time in the reserves game before the rain started spitting again.

I think I'm getting better, especially at anticipating action. Obviously though, sport shooting is largely a numbers game. Take lots, and some will turn out. Had plenty of OOF shots, plenty of blurry shots etc.

All taken with my D70s & 80-200/2.8 zoom. Either 1250 or 1600 ISO, 1/640, f/2.8. Most are reasonably heavily croppped, though #3 is pretty much a full-frame photo.

<a href="http://thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/footy/SwAi060805_01.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/footy/tn_SwAi060805_01.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="http://thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/footy/SwAi060805_02.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/footy/tn_SwAi060805_02.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="http://thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/footy/SwAi060805_03.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/footy/tn_SwAi060805_03.jpg" border="0"></a>
<a href="http://thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/footy/SwAi060805_04.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/footy/tn_SwAi060805_04.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="http://thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/footy/SwAi060805_05.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/footy/tn_SwAi060805_05.jpg" border="0"></a>

Some real crackers here! Well done Losfp.

Now if you could only branch out into real football.... (ducks quickly behind armour plating)

Nice pics. It's always difficult in those conditions to get nice sharp shots. It may look bright as hell, but your camera seems to think otherwise. Did you use noise ninja (or similar) to reduce noise?


You shouldn't worry about the rain. You can get very good (and not expensive) protective gear. I got a Kata set up, that houses the camera in a nylon/ clear rubber waterproof holder, with nylon extension sleeves to fit lenses up to 600mm for about $80 US delivered. I've used it in torrential rain and it works a treat. Camera stayed dry, if only I had!

Manta wrote:Some real crackers here! Well done Losfp.

Now if you could only branch out into real football.... (ducks quickly behind armour plating)

Well, if only I was back in my uni days with time to burn.. I'd go out to the soccer on Friday night (RIP Northern Spirit), go out to watch the Eels on Saturday and then the Swans on Sunday.

With this pesky "work" thing, I have to pick and choose my battles though... Watch the AFL live, and have foxtel for the rest Though somehow taking photos of the telly doesn't have the same buzz to it......

Raskill wrote:Nice pics. It's always difficult in those conditions to get nice sharp shots. It may look bright as hell, but your camera seems to think otherwise. Did you use noise ninja (or similar) to reduce noise?

Nah, I didn't bother. I'll spend the time if I'm going to print etc though. When shooting nighttime shots, I always figure that I'd rather sharp, grainy images, than non-grainy, blurry ones

Great stuff Des

#1 is the only one where noise bothers me and the framing isn't as good, but the others look fantastic - very well framed (even if cropped), and you've caught some great moments and facial expressions.

#5 look like it hurt

Man can't believe you pulled off those shots at ISO1250 let alone 1600. The nikons suck at anything above 800 :S Credit to you for capturing the fast paced action.

Thanks for the comments guys. Patrick, you're right about the first one being the noisiest (I actually renamed the files backwards, so pic #1 is actually the latest, using ISO1600). It's not too bad on the original file though, and I imagine it would scrub up pretty well if carefully photoshopped. The noise unfortunately seems to be more apparent with sharpening and with the JPEG compression.

I'm learning more and more about sports shooting each time I do it. When you start, you tend to take lots of photos of ruck contests, players taking set shots etc.. But then you realise it's BORING, and you need to catch players in full flow, being tackled, taking marks etc You have to be patient though, if you only have 300mm equiv as your telephoto range!