Basketball has mostly been video for me lately, so it was nice to be shooting stills.
A good game, a high level U22 mens off season filler comp final.
Process.
One EM1x with the 75mm f1.8 (manual mode, 1.8, ISO 3200, 1/750-1000th WB 4400), another one with a 25 f1.8 (same settings), each on a long strap worn opposite sides so there is no chance of them “clashing”- in the medieval sense.
The 75 (150mm equivalent) is almost ideal for the far end (if standing under the basket at the other) and the approach. I say almost because it is a little short for the long end, needing 50% cropping, but maybe a little long for the approach (a 50-100 f1.7 zoom would be ideal).
Quality is still there no issue.
Up until about the half way mark, the 75 is perfect. I can shoot horizontally, but still crop vertically if needed.
Sometimes, when I have plenty in the bag, I will hold with this lens past the point of sensible and see what happens.
This is the angle across court from the opposite corner of the same end. Too tight when under the basket, it can be fun to push this hard.
For under the basket, I have found the 25mm (50mm eq) is about right, although my nifty 50mm is actually closer to a 45mm equivalent. I used to use wider and include ceiling lights, but found the crops were a little much.
In vertical orientation, it offers plenty of height from feet to basket. At f1.8 in MFT, lenses act like f2.8’s for depth of field which I find is ideal for subject cut-out, but still with some context.
There is no doubt this is the safest place for contested action shots, but after a quarter or two, it gets pretty repetitive.
You can also shoot horizontally, but may need a little room to back away when things get weird.
Once you have enough shots to feel safe, it is time to try a new angle.
Taken from the top of the seating with the 75, this file adds variety and another dimension as well as avoiding the shadows on face that overhead lighting is prone to. From the same spot centre court, the 75 handles both ends well, but the angles can be frustrating.
All images were taken in single shot mode, using a stack of three focus points mid frame aligned to both vertical and horizontal orientations. This allows me to pick out a single player in a group and crop later for off-centre compositions.