Volleyball Photography: Figuring out what works

[@kt6339]

Good lens discussion….. on one of the most challenging sports to photograph my opinion. I have found from the opposing end, 135mm is a great focal length, if on my 70-200 I’m usually around that, I do like using the 135 prime then just focus (no pun intended haha) on composition / keep up the content 👍

[@DLivingston]

You know, I was keeping an eye on my focal length at this game and realized I was around 135mm very often so I might rent a prime out and try it out! Thanks for swinging by!

[@구름따라바람따라-t5u]

Learning a lot ! Thanks!

[@DLivingston]

Awesome, thank you for watching.

[@ChrisSaunders]

I use my 70-200 75% of the time and an 85/1.2 for the rest. With the zoom I can move around, with 85 I’m usually on the floor near the net. It’s a beastly lens but it’s a different look that I really like. I’m a Nikon shooter and I’m trying to find a way to get my hands on the older 200 f2 to try. I’d love to shoot a game at f2 and a reasonable ISO for a change. 😂😂😂

[@DLivingston]

I would look at some rental sites to try out the 200 f2. Thanks for swinging through and watching! It sure is a nice change to lower the ISO. ha

[@matches81]

Nice work! I just won an eBay auction today for a Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 L IS version 1 for $1051. I’m excited to try it out when it arrives. I love your 300mm images

[@DLivingston]

What a deal!! Happy shooting and thanks for watching!

[@mmills006]

Thanks for the video. I have been spending more time using the (Sony) 85mm f1.8 for volleyball as I am usually on / near the sideline and more importantly with the poor gym lighting in most venues the f1.8 allows me to get more light in and keep the shutter speed at 1/800 or 1/1000 without excessive ISO. The rest of the time I am using a 70-180mm f2.8. I am interested in trying the Sony 135mm f1.8 GM for volleyball as well.

[@DLivingston]

I’ve been eyeing a 135 prime myself! Happy shooting and thanks for watching!

[@leegibson2799]

The 135mm GM is my favorite for volleyball. It works great, and even if you pull back to 2.0 to get a bit more in focus, at 1/500-1/640 you can usually still get good ISO results.

[@_SYDNA_]

Yeah I'll usually break-out 24-70 a time or two but not for long. Down close I've caught a few digs with it maybe, but it can be restricting. A good 70-200 is your friend for sure. Esp. the RF version (mine's still EF iii) Like the way you've been able to use the 300; appreciate the thoughts on it's limitations.

[@DLivingston]

Yeah, the rf 70-200 is so good!

[@jeffkernen1554]

Lots of great shots. You have a lot of sharp images of the players through the net. What technique do you use to get photos of players through the net without getting the net in focus?

[@DLivingston]

Thank you! Using face detection helps with getting through the net. In the last before I had face detection it was off of pure luck and a lot of missed focus shots.

[@_SYDNA_]

​@@DLivingstonAgreed. If you're using a DSLR like a 5D/1D you can focus on the legs and hold, but Canon's improved face AF cleans up a lot of net distractions in both VBall and soccer. There are a lot of impediments to shooting volleyball, but one advantage is that the action will occasionally repeat in a given focal plane.

[@jeffkernen1554]

@@DLivingston Thank you.

[@MikeAnthonyPhotography]

i shoot alot of vollyball and i use the 70-200 f2.8 90% of the time from center court and up in the stands shooting down ....and then i use a 50mm f1.2 and the 300mm f2.8 for fun shots

[@DLivingston]

I def feel like thats the move. Ive been eyeing the same 50mm for many reasons so I am sure that is a great choice as well!

[@danidah]

I noticed on the 70-200 from front row seat or floor near ladder judge that the shots are too tight and I’m not achieving focus in time or the ball is not in the frame. I switched to my other cam with wider lens and those are good but R62 misses focus/picks wrong random person so much. Any tips?

[@DLivingston]

@@danidah I would try a different focus mode if you're using face detection. Also being that close will be tough even at 70mm so stick to a wider lens when down that close.

[@MikeAnthonyPhotography]

@@danidah well i use the sony a9iii so i dont tend to miss focus much unless the play gets way to close to me on the baseline with them running out of bounds towards me ....but if i cant fit the whole player in the frame at 70mm i just turn my camera sideways and i can get most the shot i need or i will just move up a few steps on the bleachers

[@roblangejr]

Great video as always! I like the 360 camera. How is it attached - directly on the hot shoe, or is there any extension?

[@DLivingston]

Thanks for watching, really do appreciate it! This time around I went with straight to the hotshoe. At some point I’ll try out an extension.