This is a standard set up for shooting polo and then the presentations afterwards.
The 7D+100-400 is my standard polo combination although I have also used the 400/2.8, with and without a 1.4x converter. I like the flexibility of the 100-400 and it’s a lot less physically demanding than carrying the 400/2.8 all day.
The 70-200/2.8 IS attached to the 7D in this shot is just used for closeups during the presentations. I have used it for beach and arena polo, but for a field that’s 300 yards long, it’s just not adequate. Quite often I don’t use the 70-200 at all.
For presentations I go to the 5D2+24-105 and will add an EX50 Mk2 for fill light if I need it. The 5D2 is my portrait body and it’s a real workhorse.
I have the gear in a Lowepro ProTrekker 400, which is comfortable and capacious, and used for lugging a 400/2.8 when I use that.
What I haven’t shown here is the Peli Case with spare camera bodies and lenses. I bring with me a couple of spare crop bodies and my old 5D, but only as spares.
I try to keep my working equipment as simple and functional as possible. The last thing I want to do on a long day is spend my time wondering what I should use and wandering back and forwards to the car to change my set up.
I’ve used a setup like this for about the last 5 years and it provides magazine quality images used around the world.
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Freelance photographer and science writer from the UK
www.petermeadephotography.com
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