Canon 5D Mkii as a sports camera

[ozimax]

The 5D Mkii has been oft maligned for it's 'antiquated' focussing abilities. I shot an NRL trial game last Saturday night from a loooong way up near the grandstand and was very pleased with the results, in dim lighting, at night. (I wasn't able to secure a touchline media pass although I tried to do so.)

The joys of a FF camera (as opposed to a 1Dxx cousin) is a much larger, cropable image. I realise it's only 3.9 fps, but if you're careful, you can get a good series of images to choose from even at this shooting speed.

Here's some results, unsharpened or processed except for re-sizing:

[padey]

There is not doubt that you can capture a handful of nice action images with a 5DII. But having gone from a 1D3 to a 5DII, I'm just glad that i don't shot any sports.

I tried to capture some BIF on a recent trip in Israel and I could have drawn that picture quicker then the 5DII took to focus lock. Where as with the 1D3, you didn't have to think about focus and tracking.

[zafra52]

It must be my eyes, but I think these
photos could be sharper.

[ozimax]

There is not doubt that you can capture a handful of nice action images with a 5DII. But having gone from a 1D3 to a 5DII, I'm just glad that i don't shot any sports.

I tried to capture some BIF on a recent trip in Israel and I could have drawn that picture quicker then the 5DII took to focus lock. Where as with the 1D3, you didn't have to think about focus and tracking.

Point taken. I would one day like to have a go with a 1D Mkiii just for fun, coupled with the 70-200 F2.8. Having said that, I wouldn't swap the image quality of the 5D for any digicam, at least not now.