Indoors horse show lens

[pixall]

Hello, I will be shooting my first INDOOR horse show and need some advice. Lense Advice. I know the Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS is ideal, but as I do not currently OWN that lense THIS WEEK, I need some recommendations. I have the EF-s 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS kit lense as well as a 430 EX. I realize that this lense is pretty slow for indoors, but will the flash make it an adequate lens or not.
I can rent the 70-200mm 2.8L w/out IS and will probably end up doing that, just for this time, but would still like some advice and opinions. Will the lens and flash that I currently have work to produce great quality photos or not?
Also, the rental model does not have IS, I realize that this makes that lense a pretty incredible lens and will not purchase this lense without it, but for now how much of a differencce does it make? Should I plan on using pod most of the time with it?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

What camera body do you have? Is this shoot part of a job, or just for pleasure? If not, is it really worth it to rent a lens?

The effectiveness of the flash will depend on how far away the horses will be. If you're sitting in some bleachers, it most likely will not reach the horses. If you're right along the fence and the horses are, say, within 15ft, then it could be ok. Also make sure that the horses or people in the ring won't be bothered by the flash.

IS will not matter at all if you're trying to freeze motion. IS only matters if you're shooting at a low shutter speed and need to steady your hand movements as a result. The picture will still blur with IS if the subject is moving too much and you're shooting at a slow shutter speed.

If you're ok with shooting at ISO1600+ the lens you have might get you by barely if you shoot wide open all the time.

 

[corkyg]

A lot has to do with lighting. And, to some degree it depends on the kind of horse show. As a veteran rider and judge, I would say flash is a no-no. First of all, a flash even with a strong guide number of 50 wouldforce you to be too close whereas the flash could distract or interfere with the horse. As a former judge, I would not allow it.

Also, determining the best spot in a show jumping sequence is best done by rapid sequential shots, i.e., burst shots. Yes - the 70-200 f/2.8 IS is a very good choice, but without itm you make do. I would use an ISO of 400, and set for burst shots on jumps or action points - thenn select the best frame.

The IS feature is nice but not essential. Use a monopod. The best horse show photographers are those that do their job without being noticed.

 

[pixall]

I have Rebel XSI boby. This will be a job, ONLY reason I'd pay to rent. I will be in center of arena for a lot of actual show images. As I said this is my first one and I "applied" for job by letting show organizers that I am just getting into show photography. I just want to make sure that I have an adequate lens to shoot crisp clear images.

 

[twistedlogic]

What are the images going to be used for? Printing or web?

If there plan is do large prints (greater than 8X10), a lower ISO would be your best choice. But if there resizing for web or doing some 4X6s, I'd be comfortable shooting ISO 800-1600, maybe even -1 or -2 EV and push in post.

Again, everything depends on the lightning. ISO 1600 might be enough with your current lens, then again even a 2.8 lens might not be fast enough.

corkyg, could she get by with a prime? Your last sentence makes me believe no. I'm just thinking stopping horses in flight is going to take some faster shutter speeds.

 

[pixall]

They will be for prints/web, whatever the customer wants. I will be shooting so that I can make enlargements as well as putting on disk if customer wants.

 

[pixall]

The two shows are a dressage spectacular and a breeder's classic. The farm has a lipizzaner stallion standing.
The other show is an Andalusion show. That one is a few weeks later and will be outdoors

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

If this is for a paying customer, I would recommend renting the f/2.8 lens. A brighter prime lens is tricky, because you've got no zoom and a pretty thin depth of field at wide apertures, a pretty tough combination for shooting moving objects. A higher level camera with a ton of AF points might be able to handle it, but it'll be tough to do with an XSI.

 

[soydios]

FWIW I'd bring along some flash equipment, whether it be a hotshoe-mounted external speedlight or off-camera, just in case. If the organizers say that it's OK, I would strongly consider using it, along with the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS. Expect to be working at f/2.8. If you aren't using the flash, then fire away as many pictures as you can in the hope that you'll get some good sharp ones. At 200mm f/2.8 the depth of field will be excruciatingly thin, and you need to get the horse's head and the rider in focus. Use continuous tracking autofocus.

Looking back on some of my horseshow pictures, here's a particular tip for flash: dial back the flash exposure compensation by a third, half, or even two thirds of a stop, because when the horse is moving quickly towards you at a canter it gets closer to the camera between the time when the metering preflash is fired and when the actual exposure flash is taken, resulting in blown-out flash highlights. Also make sure that your ambient light doesn't blur the exposure; check for this early on in the day and adjust your shutter speed as necessary, as long as you stay below the sync speed because you will probably be using a lot of flash power at long distances.

 

[xchangx]

I'd say negative on the flash, too distracting...

Depending on how far you are form the subject, I can't imagine the focus plane being too thin. You could look at buying a 85 1.8 lens. I think it's about $300-$400, but with your camera it's got the same FOV as 136mm 1.8 lens. What ever you get, get it a few days before so you can practice.

 

[corkyg]

Some interesting points raised. First, the prime lens! Yes! A good, fast 50mm lens is great if you are in the ring and a designated photog. One of the best in the businsss that I have worked with is Louise Serpa here in Tucson, This is a sample of her work. This was taken of one of my students and my horse in 1976 at a local 4-H show.

Serpa

The prime lens is ideal - you pre-set your FOV ion the ring and shoot the zone. IOW, you zoom with your feet. You really don't have time to work a zoom lens anyway - you need to preset it.

And, when you are in the ring, you should never use a flash. That would get you out of the ring.

For dressage, you will be able to know the exact routine ahead of time, and pre-position yourself.

 

[corkyg]

This site has some excellent tips. Look for a local contact as well. And, remember . . . the riders and horses train every day. Get to know them at their boarding stable and use that as a venue for developing and practicing your own skills.

Equus