Need a Super Fast lens for Poorly lit arenas

[JamieMc83]

I am looking for a super fast lens to use when shooting horse shows in poorly lit indoor arenas. Now I am a big fan of fixed lenses but I am aware that zooms will probably be a better choice here.

I used to shoot horse shows a few years back but am recently getting back into the market.


Oh I use a Canon Rebel T2i. And in the past I have used only Canon lenses, however I have heard good things about sigma but never used them before.

[FlyingPhotog]

If budget is no issue, go find a lovingly used EF 200mm f/1.8 and don't look back.

[hairy_moth]

If you want zooms, the pair to get are:
70-200 f/2.8L IS II
24-70 f/2.8L

I can't image that for an indoor horse show you will need more than 200mm.

[JamieMc83]

Noooo LOL
I used the 28-135 IS last time I worked as the OP at Horse Shows.
Rarely ever went over 100mm. Mainly bc the 28-135 got soft after 100.

[JamieMc83]

If you want zooms, the pair to get are:
70-200 f/2.8L IS II

I can't image that for an indoor horse show you will need more than 200mm.

Will definitely look into that one!
Tho I'd love to be able to get something under 70mm but like the idea of being able to go up to 200mm if needed.

[JamieMc83]

If budget is no issue, go find a lovingly used EF 200mm f/1.8 and don't look back.

That would be like 320mm on a 1.6 crop.

[JamieMc83]

My 55-250 IS would be fantastic but it's not fast enough for my taste.

[FlyingPhotog]

That would be like 320mm on a 1.6 crop.

@ f/1.8...

You gave no indication of shooting distances involved so I went for Reach + Speed.

[JamieMc83]

@ f/1.8...

You gave no indication of shooting distances involved so I went for Reach + Speed.

Sorry figured most new what Horse Show Arenas look like.
And yes I did mention that I use a 1.6x crop sensor camera.

[gonzogolf]

85 1.8, 50 1.4, 24-70 2.8....

[FlyingPhotog]

Sorry figured most new what Horse Show Arenas look like.
And yes I did mention that I use a 1.6x crop sensor camera.

I know what jumping arenas look like as well as rodeos, barrel racing, dressage and cutting events.

You didn't bother to say that you're shooting from the arena floor right next to the horses so I figured you'd need some moderate reach.

Done here. Best of luck... :rolleyes:

[pete.rush]

Check out the link, but for indoors, f2.8 a minimum, probably would recommend faster glass (f2, f1.8), but you'll need to know how far away you are from the subjects you want to photograph to have a real idea of what lens you want, but personally I would pick a prime over a zoom, especially for indoor action shots, but friends who do a lot of indoor sports photography use the 100mm f2, 135mm f2 lenses or if they had the budget the 200mm f2

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Indoor-Sports-Lens.aspx

[JamieMc83]

85 1.8, 50 1.4, 24-70 2.8....


I was looking at Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens

[JamieMc83]

Check out the link, but for indoors, f2.8 a minimum, probably would recommend faster glass (f2, f1.8), but you'll need to know how far away you are from the subjects you want to photograph to have a real idea of what lens you want, but personally I would pick a prime over a zoom, especially for indoor action shots, but friends who do a lot of indoor sports photography use the 100mm f2, 135mm f2 lenses or if they had the budget the 200mm f2

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Indoor-Sports-Lens.aspx

The 200mm would be good if I used FF but I use a 1.6, so it would be over 300mm on my camera.

These horses will be 7 - 8 feet away from me. And in some smaller arenas they will be as close as 4 feet away.

[gonzogolf]

I was looking at Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens
Thats reportedly a great lens. Provided they dont have the same focusing issues that the 50's do, I would want to know how quickly they focus. The canon 1.8 is sharp and fast focusing.

[JamieMc83]

Now if I shoot down area. *shooting the length of the area*
They could be up 30 - 50 feet away depending on arena size.
The arenas are oval.

[JamieMc83]

Thats reportedly a great lens. Provided they dont have the same focusing issues that the 50's do, I would want to know how quickly they focus. The canon 1.8 is sharp and fast focusing.

I noticed you mentioned the 50mm 1.4.
I have that lens, and someone recently suggested buying another one to use for the horse shows.

[DC Fan]

Horse show images from a Canon 60D and a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX II lens.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing3/20110907a0090.jpg

Focal Length: 154.0mm
Aperture: f/3.5
Exposure Time: 0.0050 s (1/200)
ISO equiv: 4000
Exposure Bias: +0.67 EV
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB



http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing3/20110907a0173.jpg

Focal Length: 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.0050 s (1/200)
ISO equiv: 6400
Exposure Bias: +0.67 EV
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB



http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing3/20110907a0189.jpg

Focal Length: 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250)
ISO equiv: 2500
Exposure Bias: +0.67 EV
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB



The combination of camera and lens seems to have worked.

[matonanjin]

I am looking for a super fast lens to use when shooting horse shows in poorly lit indoor arenas. Now I am a big fan of fixed lenses but I am aware that zooms will probably be a better choice here.



Actually, I disagree and I'm not quite sure why you say this. First off, when you say "fixed lenses" I assume you mean primes. Secondly, it depends entirely what you are shooting whether or not you need primes or zooms. Thirdly, it depends on how poorly lit. And lastly, are you shooting with strobes or not not?

Taking the lastly first, since you ask about poorly lit arenas I am going to assume you are going to be shooting completely (un)available light. But if you want to go to my blog I do have one post about my light system for horse shows. Go to the Febr 13 post called "Central Plain Reining Horse Association Futurity Show".

But to your comment I don't know why you say zooms would be better. It depends entirely what you are shooting. Are they going to be western shows or hunter/jumpers? Are you going to be in the center of the arena shooting rail horses? Or are you going to be shooting something like team ropers where you have to use a zoom? What you shoot will dictate what tool you have to use.

Lot's of guys will use and recommend the 70-200 F/2.8L. It is a great lens and I have used it. But for whatever reason it seems the arenas I shoot aren't even light enough that I can shoot at 2.8 at really high ISO. Those rare shows where I can't use strobes I almost always end up going to an F/2.0 prime. My favorite is my 100 F/2. It is sharp, fast focusing and for you to look at, reasonably priced. Sometimes I can't get close enough and before the season starts next year I am going to invest in a 135 F/2.0L.

I haven't used the Sigma 85 1.4 but have heard great things about it. The issue that you will run into with it is that at 1.4 you are going to have a razor thin DOF. Even at 2.0 I have to be really careful about that. With rail horses from the side you may be ok. But with something like reining horses or H/J's from the front diagonal I have to be really careful about nailing the focus point or the rider's face will be OOF.

HTH