Cricket - 70-210 vs 70-300G

[losfp]

Now, these are probably under copyright or something, and Kerry Packer's ghost will come and murder me in my sleep tonight for infringing (see? I can be topical..)

I went out to the first day of the boxing day test at the MCG on Monday. Bit of a slow day's play, but quite interesting in a competitive sort of way. Which is to say, I was testing out a 70-300G against a AF 70-210/4-5.6 (non-D version)

All of these are 100% crops, with no PP except for the last photo, which is cropped and resized, with sharpening in Photoshop.

70-210/4-5.6 @ 210mm

<img src="http://www.thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/new_camera/210_1.jpg">
<img src="http://www.thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/new_camera/210_2.jpg">


70-300G @ 300mm

<img src="http://www.thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/new_camera/300_1.jpg">
<img src="http://www.thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/new_camera/300_2.jpg">
<img src="http://www.thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/new_camera/300_3.jpg">
<img src="http://www.thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/new_camera/300_4.jpg">

I just thought this one was funny......

<img src="http://www.thesystemisdown.com/gallery/albums/userpics/new_camera/300_5.jpg">

Conclusion, the 70-210 is noticeably sharper than the 300G, though not really by much, and not at all if you are resizing for printing/web etc. Some of the 300G's fuzziness could be down to my lousy technique, as I am not sure I focused in on the right thing 100% of the time. I swapped back and forth between the two all day, and both lenses DID produce better and better results as I worked out just what the hell I was doing (ie: the 4th 300G pic is much better than the others).. I found I was getting the best results at F8 or F11, so I had to bump the ISO up in the latter stages of the afternoon as it was getting cloudy and rather less bright sunlight.

Anyway, it was a nice day out, Aussie middle-order collapse notwithstanding (and also fighting off the rabid jealousy that comes with seeing the press guys with mega lenses).

[LostDingo]

The 70-210 you speak of is actually a quite good bit of glass, real made in Japan Nikkor glass and can be quite sharp. It is not a fast lens by any means but can perform very well.

I have had one for several years just like you mention (non "D" series) and have been quite pleased with except for focusing speed.

[Alpha_7]

Thanks for posting these, I'll be heading to the Sydney game on Jan 2nd, and hopefully I'll be able to get my gear in to take some shots. I was actually convinced I'd not be able to get much cricket action.. (I also have the 70-300G and the 80-200 2. so was going to concentrate on candids and photography of the banners in the crowd and my mates that are coming along.

If I may ask, where were you shooting from, down near the boundary or up in the stands ? I noticed the perspective seems to vary a bit over the series of shots.

[losfp]

Craig, most of the shots were from about 20-25 rows back in the Western stand (the ones where the grass is in the background). The closer shots were right on the fence, I did 3 separate 15 min trips to the boundary and either knelt down at the end of the aisle at the fence (ouch!! hurt after a couple of minutes!!) but one time I was lucky enough to find a seat on the boundary. Those shots are much better, you are able to get more of a difference in the distance to subject as opposed to distance to background.

Unfortunately I was only able to wander about in the GA area, or I would have tried my luck behind the bowler's arm.

You should be able to get some good shots at the SCG, the boundaries are much shorter (especially the straight boundaries, should be able to get some nice ones of the bowlers running straight towards you if you park yourself by the sightscreen)

[Alpha_7]

Thanks for the additional info, Katie was a little concerned about the camera going to the cricket with me, but I figured I won't drink to much and act responsibly and there shouldn't be any worries. My mates and I are all in Bay 15, which is faily near the score board, and kind of side on to the wicket (as far as I know). But I'll try to wander around a bit and take some shots from other angles.

[losfp]

Watch out for the inevitable beer-showers when the wave (a practice which I don't like as being disrespectful to the game you're watching, in any sport) comes through your bay!! I didn't have a problem with the patrons around me at the MCG, but I wouldn't have brough the D70s into Bay 13 at the MCG.

Yep, bay 15 is in front of the hill (unless it is bay 15.1, 15.2 or 15.3, which IS the hill) - directly in front of the Doug Walters Stand. Probably more a wide long-on position rather than side-on. Depending on how many rows back you are, you might find it more productive to make ocassional trips to the boundary behind the sightscreen than trying to take photos in amongst the punters.

Have a look at http://www.sydneycricketground.com.au/M ... CG_Map.asp for a point & click method of finding your bay

[losfp]

How did you go, Craig?

[Alpha_7]

Well it started of slow and wet, but I do think I go some good shots, although not much happened on the cricket field so I took my hand to candids in the stands. I also broke my "always shoot raw" rule and tried my luck at Jpeg, with Mixed results. I'll post some pics soon (now Pixspot is having issues, I'm stuff for hosting (which sucks as I've taken 1300 shots in the last few days).

I did take some with both the 80-200 and the 70-300 for comparison!

[losfp]

I did take some with both the 80-200 and the 70-300 for comparison!

I daresay your comparisons will have a few more differences than mine! The 80-200/2.8 should be a world of improvement over both the lenses I road-tested.

Looking forward to seeing the results.

[ozimax]

The last one seems sharp on my monitor, all the others seem very soft. Did you intend them to be that soft? Maybe a higher shutter speed would work here? Seems like you had a great day.

Max

[losfp]

The last one seems sharp on my monitor, all the others seem very soft. Did you intend them to be that soft? Maybe a higher shutter speed would work here? Seems like you had a great day.

Max

Hi Max, I deliberately posted images at 100% crop with no PP at all, for a bit of a comparison. Somewhat unfairly, probably... As mentioned above, I did get better at it through the day. The early shots above were all done at slowish shutter speeds and largely wide-open aperture. The last image has been resized and sharpened in photoshop - comes out a treat!

Craig emailed me a sample shot of the 80-200 and it IS a beauty. Quite a bit sharper than my budget options, and I daresay has faster focusing too!!

[christiand]

Hi,

I cannot distinguish between the fotos taken with the
different lenses on my screen.
I cannot say which one is truely sharper.
I guess it is due to saving as jpg for web etc.

Cheers,
CD

[ozimax]

No worries there, the last one is a cracker, the wonderful thing about digital SLR is that you can take hundreds of shots for nothing, making adjustments as you go until you get the shot just right!

Another question here: I wonder what size lens will get you stopped at the gate at the SCG/MCG? I have read here that at motorsport meets anything larger than 200mm may get you under suspicion? Anything compared to the pro 600mm lenses look small I suppose, so there shouldn't be too many concerns. BTW, NSW is playing VIC in the ING cup here in Coffs on 14/1, so I will be taking the Nikon down for a workout, see if I can get some good shots.

Cheers,

Max

[Alpha_7]

Max,

I shot with the 70-300G, the kit lens and also 80-200 2.8 (the biggest of the lot).


It was only in the last 2 overs that one of the "guards" that saw me taking candids (right next to him) asked me if I had a media pass, I said no, and he said no more photos....

so I went back to my seat and kept taking photos...

[losfp]

Max, I checked the conditions for the MCG, and it only says "no video cameras". When my bag was inspected prior to entry, one of the security guys said "I don't think you can bring that in here". The other one had a look and said "it's okay, only video cameras are not allowed".

I daresay that if you're in your seat, you can get away with the 80-200, or any of the smaller consumer level 300mm zooms. If you go for a wander, you might get questioned, but usually okay at the SCG/MCG. When I was waiting for Ricky Ponting to get his 100 at the MCG, I sat on an aisle seat on the boundary and struck up a conversation with a lady next to me - she said that at the WACA, you are not allowed to bring in any cameras at all.

So I guess the thing to do is check the conditions of entry for each venue you are going to

[ozimax]

Thanks, I'll check the Coffs Stadium rules before entering for the game.