NEW WEAPON

Canon EOS Rebel XS, Canon 85mm 1.8 USM lens, ISO 1600, f/2.5, 1/200 sec.

  Sports photography was my first love of photography 25 years ago when I bought my first camera. Back then I really didn't understand the way a camera really worked and I just shot on "Auto" all the time. I also wasn't very in tune with good composition in an image either.
  One of the main reasons for me buying my first DSLR last year was to record my son's basketball and my daughter's cheerleading. Even though I managed getting some good shots last year, I was shooting with Canon's 50mm 1.8II lens. This lens did a fantastic job considering it was built more for portraits and not really considered a sports lens.
  Two weeks ago Christmas came early in the Denham household. I bought Canon's 85mm 1.8 USM lens with the sole intention of it improving my sports photography as well as using it as a portrait lens. My initial impression of the lens is very impressive. It was much heavier than any of my other lenses but the ultrasonic motor is fast and super quiet. The bokeh at wide open apertures is amazing as well.

Canon EOS Rebel XS, Canon 85mm 1.8 USM lens, ISO 1600, f/2.5, 1/200 sec.

  Thursday was the first test for my new weapon. My son's high school basketball team was playing their Red/White game. This is a scrimmage where the team is divided up and they play against each other. The perfect opportunity for trial and error with my new lens.
  At first it was very hit and miss but then I got out my Bower ETTL Flash and used it to bounce the light off of the ceiling and everything started to click. The sync with the camera & lens only allowed me to shoot at 1/200 sec. shutter speed but the flash stopped the action and the images started looking really good.

Canon EOS Rebel XS, Canon 85mm 1.8 USM lens, ISO 1600, f/2.5, 1/200 sec.

  Something else I wasn't able to do during last year's basketball season was get quality shots out near half court from under the basket. The only drawback to this is that the 85mm vs. 50mm is quite tight underneath the goal and shots of a player's entire body from there were impossible. Will have to figure out how to solve that.
  Tonight I was asked to shoot Sequoyah High School's first home football playoff game for the local newspaper.  I was more than happy to do so but was skeptical about the length of the 85mm lens reaching and creating quality images on the football field. I was pleasantly surprised when at least on plays close to my side of the field were very sharp depending on my steady hand. When I moved behind the end zone for goal line plays the images were more impressive. I was using my flash with these as well and it made a huge difference.

Canon EOS Rebel XS, Canon 85mm 1.8 USM lens, ISO 1600, f/2.5, 1/200 sec.

   I will give a much better evaluation of my new lens as the basketball season progresses along. It will get a great test tomorrow as Casey's basketball team plays 5 games at a play day. I am very excited about what this lens can do for my sports photography as well as cheerleading and portrait work.