topic Re: R10 + RF-S 18-150MM settings for a marathon? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

R10 + RF-S 18-150MM settings for a marathon?

pundit — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 20:56:59 GMT

A rookie question: I am going to try to cover a running event (I am not going to run myself). There will be thousands of people running in the streets. Could you suggest the best settings for taking a lot of decent pictures of runners for R10 + RF-S 18-150MM?

I know some settings have been suggested for sport events, but I'm wondering if you'd be willing to suggest something specific for running - not very fast moving "objects" (runners) but many of them (trying to shoot and cover many people overall).

Re: R10 + RF-S 18-150MM settings for a marathon?

shadowsports — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:06:40 GMT

Greetings,

This is really going to depend on you. Your skill level and shooting conditions.

The camera and lens should do great, even allowing you to find a good vantage point for pictures.

You'll want a shutter speed somewhere between 1/250 and 1/1000 depending on the runner's speed. Aperture for the DOF you want and weather conditions. Will you be shooting individuals or groups and will it be sunny or overcast, etc.

If you can visit the area a day or two before, it might help you scope out some good shooting locations. I understand you have 26 miles of places to shoot from. You'll also have hundreds if not thousands of people to content with. The camera can do as little or as much as you want it to. Be sure to bring 2-3 SD cards with you, you will likely shoot more pics than you think. 😄

Check out the R10's manual for helpful suggestions:

Canon : Product Manual : EOS R10 : Sports Mode (start.canon)

Re: R10 + RF-S 18-150MM settings for a marathon?

stevet1 — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:23:32 GMT

pundit,

In researching your question, I ran across a web site that you might helpful.

Do a Google search for: Useful Tips for Photographing Marathons

It covers a lot of the ground that Rick did in his reply.

One additional tip I ran across was to put your camera into burst mode, and slow your shutter speed down to 1/25th or 1/30th of a second if you were considering doing any panning shots. Follow the runner as he or she runs past you, and fire off 5 or 6 shots.

Steve Thomas

Re: R10 + RF-S 18-150MM settings for a marathon?

justadude — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:20:50 GMT

I've shot dozens of marathons over the years. Mostly as a finish line photographer, but some years I've enjoyed being out on the course.

I like Rick's suggestions, but the only thing different that I would suggest is 1/500 shutter speed as a minimum. I'm simply saying that because I have a few more "misses" (blur) when my speeds have been lower than that.

I typically shoot in manual mode for my general landscape, night sky, infrared and other work. Marathons are different. I always shoot in shutter priority mode. I try to keep ISO at 400 or below, but sometimes this pre-dawn starts require you to bump it up a bit.

Another thing worth mentioning - generally my work is shot in RAW. Marathons are different. I shoot high quality JPEG. When it's time to edit your photos (typical marathon most of us shoot between 6,000 - 10,000 images), you will be glad that with a JPEG you probably only have to hit "auto" in your software to have a good photo, and probably straighten a few. If I shot in RAW, editing would take a week instead of a full day.

Scope out the course. Don't expect to get finish line access because that's reserved for those of us that are hired. However, you often can get some great images from just outside the fence at the finish line.

Re: R10 + RF-S 18-150MM settings for a marathon?

stevet1 — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:55:11 GMT

pundit,

Over and above the marathon, how do you like the R10 and the 18-150 combination?

I have been thinking long and hard about that combination myself.

How do you find the balance? Is it too front heavy?

Steve Thomas

Re: R10 + RF-S 18-150MM settings for a marathon?

pundit — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 17:25:38 GMT

I like it, it is reasonably light. Sure, I miss the 200mm range, but switching from a DSLR is convenient enough.