Sporting Chance

Page 2

The Exposure Value

This is simple deduction. In average UK sunlight you need 1/ISO as your shutter speed with f11 as your aperture. For an ISO of 100 and an aperture of f2.8 you are able to use a shutter speed of 1/2000ths.

The Database

An analysis of the lenses used and camera settings was conducted by the author some years ago (on film cameras, not digital). The images were all made by the All Sport photographers and mainly award-winning pictures. We reproduce some of the data in graphical form. In a nutshell it shows that the most common lens used is 400mm focal length, at f2.8 and with shutter speeds of 1/1000ths. Shooting at these magnifications and these shutter speeds requires a steady hand, smooth movement (if following action) and an ability to follow-focus. The question of whether to use autofocus or manual used to find in favour of manual and that was certainly employed 10 years ago. Today’s autofocus is so good that the options are closer and you can use either, especially using autofocus to lock-on and then blipping the focus lock just at the correct moment.

Why 400mm?

The costs of Nikon, Canon, Sigma and Tamron long lenses are tabled opposite. None of them is inexpensive, you are going to have to sell a lot of images before you get your money back on a 400/2.8, regardless of where you buy it! Why do you need such a focal length? Here is the answer. The diagram (which is actually computed for field hockey and a 300mm focal length, but bear with us) shows zones in which you will capture single players, pairs of players, head and shoulders, etc. Note that sitting on the halfway line is the worst of all worlds if you want goal, mouth action. The two prime positions are behind and to the side of the goal. From the sideline therefore you can cover a goal mouth melee comfortably with a 300mm lens.

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Photo Quote: Many pictures turn out to be limp translations of the known world instead of vital objects which create an intrinsic world of their own. There is a vast difference between taking a picture and making a photograph. - Robert Heinecken