Guest Author: Verity Griffin - Sony Alpha Universe
Sport and photography appeal to me for the same reason: both encourage the pursuit of personal excellence through connection. Connecting with yourself to push your own limits. Connecting with your subject or teammate to bring out the best in them. Connecting with community for the simple joy of it. Nowhere is that more on display than in youth sport. From hero shots to quiet moments, these games are full of opportunities for capturing memorable imagery.
So when Sony reached out to lend me the a6700 and their new SEL100400 lens to try at a youth soccer game, I was delighted to get back to the sidelines.
As a sports photographer, I need gear that can cover the whole field. But when I’m photographing family and friends, I also want to stay present and enjoy the game. What I loved about this combination was that it let me do both.
The 100–400mm gave me excellent reach across the field. I could essentially stay in one position for a full half and take in the game without missing key moments. At 400mm, the optical stabilization helped keep the view steady, letting me capture little moments and expressions all the way at the far end. No changing lenses. No abandoning a conversation to chase down a shot.
If you follow my work – whether I’m photographing youth sport or the NHL – you’ll know it’s the quiet, human moments that have always appealed to me most. I love the little expressions and details drawn from the lesser places – the nooks and crannies of the game. These kinds of images are not only the ones I treasure, but they always transport me back to how it felt to be there. The SEL100400 lens gave me a lot of options for grabbing these kinds of images. It’s zoom range enabled me to quickly respond to an interaction unfolding on the bench or quietly capture still frames without interrupting the moment.
It was also just really easy to get high quality images. The a6700 has a new image sensor, and the latest in recognition and autofocus capabilities with AI processing. Combined with the lens’ fast autofocus, I really noticed how the camera locked onto the player I wanted, even when play changed direction or my view was obstructed.
The video capability was great. As someone who primarily shoots stills, I found the video features incredibly user-friendly. After a couple quick tests, I felt confident using these features and inspired to grab more motion to compliment my stills coverage of a game.
And because it’s so light and compact, it was a pleasure to hold, even after hours on the sideline.
The a6700 and the SEL100400 enabled me walk away with great shots, all while taking in the game and enjoying what youth sport is truly about for me – connection. This is a combination I’d happily pack in my bag and take to the sidelines again.
Featured in this blog:
Sony a6700 Body
Sony FE 100-400mm F5.6-8 OSS
