Advice on Xti Accessories

[wally0206]

I just bought the Canon Xti. going to use it for some action shoots of a night sporting event (wrestlemania at the Cirtus Bowl) estimated 55 feet away.

purchased the battery grip.

Still haven't decied yet on a lens , either the sigma 70-200 f2.8 or canon 135 f2. at least these are the two i have looking at. open to other suggestions.

any advice on what speed for the cf card?
not sure would I even need a flash with either len?
also are eneloop ok for the battery grip? I got 4-8 packs from cc last year.

thanks for any recommendations.

[griptape]

I'd be pretty surprised if the venue let you in with an SLR and a long lens. But if they do, the 70-200 f/2.8 is probably your best choice.

I don't think a flash would be especially useful in this situation. Being so far away, you'd probably end up doing more harm than good.

The speed of the CF card isn't very important when it comes to actual camera performance, as the buffer is slower than pretty much any modern card. The only advantage you'll really get with a high speed card is transferring from the card to your computer. So depends on how patient you are and how much you feel like spending.

Enloops are pretty much the highest recommended rechargeables around. So yes, they should work just fine.

[GaryS]

The flash will definitely be useful from 55ft. Thats well within the range for either of Canon's external flashes.

I think the question is more if you want to use it or not. I haven't been to a wrestling match, so I have no idea what the light will be like.

Griptape is right though, that security might not let you in with a SLR and long lens.

[wally0206]

I sent an e-mail last week on the lens and flash restriction but no reply yet. I have been to may of there indoor events before,but never to a outdoor event. they are normally always dark except for the ring, the ring I think is even brighter now that they broadcast in HD.

Here is a really bad question,remeber I am still a newbie to the camera world. but I was looking at lens at Ritz and it was suggested to ask the Arena Venue for a Flash chip? I asked what does that do,"the chip will make the area lights flash so your pictures look better, that way you don't need a flash."
Is this true or were they having fun at my expense?

[griptape]

The flash will definitely be useful from 55ft. Thats well within the range for either of Canon's external flashes.

I think the question is more if you want to use it or not. I haven't been to a wrestling match, so I have no idea what the light will be like.

It is within range, but I imagine with so many people in front of you, and the mix of the arena lights, you'd end up with some pretty poorly exposed flash shots unless you're extremely experienced and shoot 100% manual (which Wally doesn't seem to be, no offense).

As for the flash chip... I've never heard of such a thing. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist, but even if it does, I don't think it would be something they would give to the general public to use.

[wally0206]

no offense taken, I have alot of the toys but these are new to me. I am still really having a hard time with lens choice. with most all shots going to be action shoots would it be worth the extra $$ for one of the canon IS models? I am not sure if IS helps in action shots.

[griptape]

would it be worth the extra $$ for one of the canon IS models? I am not sure if IS helps in action shots.

IS doesn't help one single bit with action shots. It would only be worth the extra money if you have uses for it in the future. But IS only allows your shutter speed to be longer without blur from camera shake. The trouble is, the longer your shutter speed is, the MORE blurry anything moving will be.

[techiedude21]

I would like to add if you are looking for a CF card, be careful as there are many fake cards selling online for cheap, especially on ebay. They will not work well with your dslr - trust me I've experienced it first hand.

google "counterfeit sandisk" and youll see what I mean.

[wally0206]

is the extra $$ any benefit to my shooting night action shots?

Sigma APO 70-200 f/2.8 EX AF $650
vs
Sigma APO 70-200 f/2.8 II EX DG HSM $750

[njoy_az]

I have not used either of them, but I would clearly prefer the HSM (aka USM) lens. They are supposed to be much more silent, faster and accurate that the standard ones (plus it is just US$ 100 extra).

[cdr116]

well it depends on if HSM is equivalent to ring-type USM or micro USM because canon's micro-USM isn't supposed to be much better at all than non-usm lenses and they just call them USM for the marketing, or so i hear. But I don't know enough about sigma's HSM motor so I'd look in to that to find out if it's worth the money. Sorry if that made no sense... but come on, it's late :D

[njoy_az]

I was thinking of "real" (aka ring-type) USM of course. :)