what is the best lens to use when photographing fast moving objects such as polo ponies?

Answer 1

Ken suggested going with a short lens, but I might recommend something in a medium focal length; perhaps 200mm or so.

My reason is that with a short lens, you'll have to be close to the ponies and will have to be very quick with the camera to frame and pan with them as they go by. A medium-length lens will allow you to pan more steadily, keeping the pony in the frame longer and make multiple pictures.

You will want the best aperture you can get, as Gwenethe pointed out. Keep in mind, however, that big aperture lenses get expensive fast. If you're outdoors in good light, you should be able to use a lens with as "slow" an aperture as 5.6. Bump your ISO if you're shooting digital, or use faster film, if you need to.

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Answer 2

You'll want a good quality fast lens. The lower the aperture goes the better since this will allow you to use faster shutter speeds, as well as give you a very nice depth of field to isolate your subject.

Image stabilizer/vibration reduction is a definite plus.

Personally I have a Canon f/4.5-5.6 100-400 IS that I use to photograph horse shows. If I'd had the money I would have bought a lens that went down to 2.8, but that was the best I could afford. It does really well though.

For you, I'd suggest something with a maximum focal length of about 200 or 300, something like a 70-200 might do nicely if you're able to get pretty close to the field. If you can afford an f/2.8 lens, get it. And definitely look for one that has IS or VR (depending on whether you're a canon or nikon user.)

Answer 3

The type of lens (wide angle vs normal vs telephoto) (or a zoom that combines those features) is a mater of choice and has nothing to do with your question. It doesn't matter if you are using film or a digital, the only rule is speed. Hence, a fast film with a fast shutter, if you wish to freeze the action. And using shutter priority over aperture with a digital. With the film situation you will need the proper F stop for your shutter and film speed and depending on the digital you may have to select the F stop here as well as some of the less expensive ones may not work in the auto mode when you over ride the auto shutter speed setting.

Answer 4

You'll need a lens with a wide aperature/f-stop. This will let the maximum amount of light into the camera. This allows for a faster shutter speed to "freeze the action" of fast moving objects like your polo ponies. (Fast shutter speed = less light, therefore you need to make up for light in your aperature/f-stop and your ISO/film sensitivity.) An f-stop of say, 2.0 is a large opening to let more light in.

Answer 5

Just an addition... A "VR" or "IS" lens is not necessarily the best choice for photographing polo ponies, unless it has an "active mode" as the lens is designed to limit CAMERA shake and not subject movement. In fact, they can have trouble tracking a fast moving object. Be sure there is a swtich to change modes if you buy an "IS" or "VR" lens.

Answer 6

For starters, it's got to be perfect technically. That means nailing exposure, and getting it pin sharp. Then you need to look beyond technique, and to capture the character of the person in the shot, this involved the creative use of light, composition, colour and direction. You have to get to know them first, to understand the person or persons in the shot, to create the idea portrayal of the personality. If you want an interesting study of photography, look at the early era of National Geographic photography, from before 1965-1970.

Answer 7

generally speaking, the shorter the lens the better.