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SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY

WATERSPORTS

Whether it's surfing, kayaking, jet skiing or something similarly exciting, shooting watersports presents its own interesting set of challenges. Fast cameras, fast lenses, and lots of light are key here. 

Solutions > Sports > Sports Photography > Watersports Photography

Surf dudes with attitude

The best thing about shooting watersports is there is rarely a shortage of light. Water is a natural reflector so you can usually keep your shutter speed high to really freeze all that lovely detail. This bonus light will be key to capturing the water around your subject properly - this tends to be the difference between a great watersports image and a ropey one!

In terms of focusing, modern mirrorless cameras are pretty great at keeping track of a subject, but if your subjects will all be passing through a specific area, it might be better to focus on that and wait for their arrival. This is made all the easier with the high burst options on modern cameras, where you can shoot hundreds of photos in seconds and pick the ones you nailed later. This is also why it's probably a good reason to avoid RAW and stick with jpeg - make use of that lovely buffer, without worrying about filling up your card!

The best thing about shooting watersports is there is rarely a shortage of light. Water is a natural reflector so you can usually keep your shutter speed high to really freeze all that lovely detail. This bonus light will be key to capturing the water around your subject properly - this tends to be the difference between a great watersports image and a ropey one! Modern mirrorless cameras are pretty great at keeping track of a subject, but if your subjects will all be passing through a specific area, it might be better to focus on there. This is made all the easier with the high burst options on modern cameras, where you can shoot hundreds of photos in seconds and pick the ones you nailed later. This is also why it's probably a good reason to avoid RAW and stick with jpeg. 

Option 1 - Nikon Z 7 II, Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3, Gitzo Monopod
Weekend from £151 - hire now!

The brilliant Nikon Z 7 II has got it all. Despite almost double the megapixel count compared to the Z 6 models, The Z 7 II can still shoot up to 10 frames per second with its 46-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor, with double the focus points of its little brother. Lens-wise, this package includes the Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3, providing a vast focal range to play with, from establishing shots to set the scene, to impressive zooms to zero in on the action. It’s also worth noting that the Z 7 II achieves such fidelity from its sensor, that zooming-in-post is extremely viable. Stability comes in the form of the Gitzo monopod, and the package also includes 2 batteries, a charger, and a memory card.

Option 1 - Nikon Z 7 II, Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3, Gitzo Monopod
Weekend from £151 - hire now!

Despite almost double the megapixel count compared to the Z 6 models, The Z 7 II can still shoot up to 10 frames per second with its 46-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor, with double the focus points of its little brother. Lens-wise, this package includes the Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3, providing a vast focal range to play with, from establishing shots to set the scene, to impressive zooms to zero in on the action. Stability comes in the form of the Gitzo monopod, and the package also includes 2 batteries, a charger, and a memory card.

Option 2 - Sony a7 IV, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 lens, Gitzo Monopod with fluid head
Weekend from £157 - hire now!

With a 33-megapixel sensor and a 10 frames per second compressed RAW burst mode with an extensive buffer, Sony’s hybrid a7 IV is a powerful little camera that excels in a variety of fields. Expect impressive in-body image stabilisation, fabulous autofocus and dual card slots for live backups, as well as the sort of low light performance you can expect from a modern Sony alpha camera as standard.

Partnering the a7 IV, the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 is a pin-sharp beauty, offering the perfect range for establishing shots as well as extreme frame-filling close ups. The Gitzo Monopod is also included, helping support you when wielding such a sizeable lens, and providing the muscle rest you’ll inevitably need unless you’re some sort of body builder.

Option 2 - Sony a7 IV, Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 lens, Gitzo Monopod with fluid head
Weekend from £157 - hire now!

With a 33-megapixel sensor and a 10 frames per second compressed RAW burst mode with an extensive buffer, Sony’s hybrid a7 IV is a powerful little camera that excels for airshow work. Expect impressive in-body image stabilisation, fabulous autofocus and dual card slots for live backups, as well as the sort of low light performance you can expect from a modern Sony alpha camera as standard.

Partnering the a7 IV, the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 is a pin-sharp beauty, offering the perfect range for establishing shots as well as extreme frame-filling close ups. The Gitzo Monopod is also included, helping support you when wielding such a sizeable lens, and providing the muscle rest you’ll inevitably need unless you’re some sort of body builder.

Option 3 - Canon EOS R3, Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 lens, Gitzo Monopod, Digital Circular Polariser
Weekend from £246 - hire now!

Canon’s flagship R3 is a total game-changer for sports photography. The fact-sheet is eye watering, but highlights include a stacked full-frame sensor, 30fps burst shooting and a 5.7 million dot electronic viewfinder. If that wasn’t enough, this camera not only features subject tracking for people, animals and vehicles, but you can control the focus point by just looking at it with your eye thanks to Canon’s incredible Eye Control AF.

Paired with this powerful camera, the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 offers a vast focal range with amazingly sharp accuracy for a zoom lens. From wider establishing shots of the action to frame-filling close ups, you’re all set to capture every exciting moment of action. The R3’s lightning-fast burst rate means you don’t need robotic precision either – snap away and pick the perfect moment in post!

This package also includes the Gitzo Monopod with Fluid Head for stability and swift pans, and you also get 2 batteries and a memory card, plus a circular polarizer to keep those reflections in check.

Option 3 - Option 3 - Canon EOS R3, Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 lens, Gitzo Monopod, Digital circular polarizer
Weekend from £246 - hire now!

Canon’s flagship R3 features a stacked full-frame sensor, 30fps burst shooting and a 5.7 million dot electronic viewfinder. If that wasn’t enough, this camera not only features subject tracking for people, animals and vehicles, but you can control the focus point by just looking at it with your eye thanks to Canon’s incredible Eye Control AF.

Paired with this powerful camera, the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 offers a vast focal range with amazingly sharp accuracy for a zoom lens. The R3’s lightning-fast burst rate means you don’t need robotic precision either – snap away and pick the perfect moment in post! This package also includes the Gitzo Monopod with Fluid Head for stability and swift pans, and you also get 2 batteries and a memory card, plus a circular polarizer to keep those reflections in check.

 

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