Best Stadium Lighting

[Bill Forster]

With High School football right around the corner, I'm remembering the challenges of low light shooting. My experience at the high school level has been 1/250 to 1/320 at f2.8. Over the summer I shot a baseball game at a stadium that televises some of their games and I was excited about the idea of good lighting. I was still shooting at about 1/320. So my question is, what is the brightest stadium lighting that you have experienced and where. I keep thinking that if I shoot a pro venue that I'll be shooting reasonable shutter speed.
Thanks,
Bill F.

[Larry Placido]

Hey Bill,
I don't remember the particular settings, but for some reason 1/500 @ f2.8 (3.5?) come to mind. The Ballpark in Arlington where the Rangers play has some good light for night games.

I've shot there from the photo wells and the mid-upper deck and my shots came out pretty good... Overall it's a great place to watch and shoot baseball.

I'm sure that there are a lot of other venues but I can't seem to think of any off hand...

Cheers,
~Larry

[William Guerro]

I shoot alot of Philadelphia Phillies games and with my Canon Mark IIn and 300 f/2.8 I usually shoot either 1000- 1250 ISO and 500-800 on shutter speed. This is shooting from the photo wells on the 1st & 3rd base sides. If I go up to the top of the lower level I can usually get 800-1200 on the shutter speed.

[Kevin_M_Cox]

As far as high school stadiums the Round Rock ISD Stadium in Austin is around 1/500 @ f/2.8 @ ISO 1000. By far the best light of any high school venue I've ever shot in.

As far as the pro venues round here locally: Minute Maid Park (Astros) is 1/800 @ f/2.8 @ ISO 1000, the Toyota Center (Rockets) is 1/500 @ f/2.8 @ ISO 800 and Reliant Stadium (Texans) was 1/1000 @ f/2.8 @ ISO 640 last Sunday.