What works best for stadium panoramas?

<p>I occasionally have the opportunity to shoot pictures at a professional sporting event. Since I'm not a pro I can't bring a tripod so I have to shoot handheld. I like ground level to shoot pictures of the game. I think the cheap seats often work better for a stadium panorama. Here are some examples. What works best for you?<br>

<img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Sports/20150611-Mariners-vs-Indians/i-LFS2m5P/0/M/20150611_Mariners%20v%20Indians_4832Pan_tonemappeda-M.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Free-Screen-Saver-Photos/Sports/i-GmWM4qg/0/M/20141001_Pirates%20Wild%20Card_2247PanbSS-M.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="375" /></p>

<p><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-FRNwQLT/0/M/i-FRNwQLT-M.jpg" alt="" /></p>

 

<p><a href="http://petapixel.com/2016/07/28/official-2016-dnc-photo-shot-100-year-old-camera/">Photographer Abbas Shirmohammadi used a 100 year old panorama camera to capture the Democratic Convention.</a></p>

<p>Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

<p>If you're standing you might want to try an uber wide lens [in the area of 20ish mm], with a larger format [medium at least I'd think] so you can crop it without too much loss of resolution<br>

Just an idea, not sure how well it would work</p>

<p>What you don't want is a lens that is so wide the whole perspective is distorted and the center is pushed back.<br>

The best gear but being realistic? In 35mm, a 24mm tilt/shift lens at least. The most commonly used would be medium format 6x6 or 645 with a 45mm lens. The best of course would be a 4x5 with a 65mm lens and tilt/shift bellows, but its impractical. All can be had with a digital back or in the latter two a hi res scan off a Velvia or Reala slide.</p>

 

<p>I like the idea of using a panorama camera. If I had one I'd give it a try. This was not intended to be an equipment question, but rather a composition question. For a baseball stadium, the best spot seems to be near the top of the stands behind home plate. Ground level behind the plate might be interesting, but shooting through the screen would not be good. What vantage points have others found that worked?</p>

<p>Great views !</p>

<p><b> MODERATOR WARNING: Image removed. Posting images that you did not make yourself contravenes Terms of Use </b></p></div>

<p>I would most like use my Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II, then crop it 5:2 to give a panorama feel. Many new ultra-wide lenses do not distort like the lenses of old. A 35mm is an outdated tool, requiring stitching. If I need to stitch, then I'll shoot somewhere around 70mm and stitch several images together. </p>

<p>Of your examples, I prefer the one high behind home plate. </p>

<p>When the stadium is perfectly round and the grandstands are tall for added drama then why not bust out the fisheye for something different?</p><div></div>

<p>Another way to approach fish-eye photography is to de-fish and the crop in a panoramic proportion. Below is not a stadium, but you might get the idea:</p>

<p><a title="Sunset At Cherry Creek Reservoir" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/638/22506610985_249a784384_c.jpg" alt="Sunset At Cherry Creek Reservoir" width="800" height="320" /></a></p>