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**HenriRow** · 01-30-2009, 08:19 AM

I'm gonna have to disagree with the thought that a tripod or image stabilization is simply unnecessary.

Of course it depends on what you are doing. If you are walking around taking pictures of people then a 50mm lens and 1/60 second shutter will be fine if your hands are steady and your technique good.

However, if you are shooting a match from one of the stands, and so you are further away, then you'll be using a much longer focal length. For a 135mm on a camera like a 450d, you'd probably want to have your camera set to 1/250 or something of that sort. Gym lighting often won't allow for that. Image stabilization generally buys you 1-2 stops, so you can probably get away with 1/90s. That's too slow to freeze movement but at least you won't spoil a shot of people standing in kamae because of unsteady hands.

A tripod or a monopod is another way and the issue of it getting in other people's way is overstated, I think. If you are shooting a match, you probably won't actually be walking around the shiaijo that much. For one, are you really going to be cutting in and out and around the crowd to get in position even without a tripod? Second you're taking a big chance that you won't be in position to shoot when the action happens. More likely you'll find a good spot, set up, and you'll be more or less standing there waiting for the opportunity.

I get perfectly acceptable pictures at ~1/125sec with a 135mm. With a tripod, you're seriously hindering yourself in moving about the camera and composing the image.
After the EKC last year, I bought a monopod (to attach to the mount on the lens), so that I could retain most of the mobility, but avoid my arms getting tired after a whole day of shooting. In addition, at the majority of the taikais I go to, space is at premium and a tripod will get in the way.
I'm not saying that IS/VR wont help. I'm saying it's not worth the money for this purpose. I'd save the IS/VR for fast moving ballgames, motor racing, etc.

01-30-2009, 08:19 AM	#2
HenriRow Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	I'm gonna have to disagree with the thought that a tripod or image stabilization is simply unnecessary. Of course it depends on what you are doing. If you are walking around taking pictures of people then a 50mm lens and 1/60 second shutter will be fine if your hands are steady and your technique good. However, if you are shooting a match from one of the stands, and so you are further away, then you'll be using a much longer focal length. For a 135mm on a camera like a 450d, you'd probably want to have your camera set to 1/250 or something of that sort. Gym lighting often won't allow for that. Image stabilization generally buys you 1-2 stops, so you can probably get away with 1/90s. That's too slow to freeze movement but at least you won't spoil a shot of people standing in kamae because of unsteady hands. A tripod or a monopod is another way and the issue of it getting in other people's way is overstated, I think. If you are shooting a match, you probably won't actually be walking around the shiaijo that much. For one, are you really going to be cutting in and out and around the crowd to get in position even without a tripod? Second you're taking a big chance that you won't be in position to shoot when the action happens. More likely you'll find a good spot, set up, and you'll be more or less standing there waiting for the opportunity. I get perfectly acceptable pictures at ~1/125sec with a 135mm. With a tripod, you're seriously hindering yourself in moving about the camera and composing the image. After the EKC last year, I bought a monopod (to attach to the mount on the lens), so that I could retain most of the mobility, but avoid my arms getting tired after a whole day of shooting. In addition, at the majority of the taikais I go to, space is at premium and a tripod will get in the way. I'm not saying that IS/VR wont help. I'm saying it's not worth the money for this purpose. I'd save the IS/VR for fast moving ballgames, motor racing, etc.
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