Lens for sports indoors

[Ramg66]

I will be upgrading from a 300D to a 30D in the next couple of weeks, I need a lens that will do decent shots for Wrestling competitions, I took your advice and bought a 50mm f/1.8 II but have to admit it will not work for me as I can not move (forward and back) during competition so I need a zoom lens around 20-80mm that can take fast pics for wrestling in low light (that come out nice), but I don't think I can afford an L lens, can you please give me some other options? Sigma, Tamron, etc. Im willing to spend up to $500 for a decent lens new or used. Thanks for any advice.

[chrishunt]

I think the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 might be the lens for you. $429

[Ramg66]

Are you refering to the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 EX Aspherical DF? I see it has a 100% recommended by reviewers in Fredmiranda and is listed at $466.33. This is what Im talking about, thank you so much, any other opinions?

[85lesabre]

For some indoor sports the lighting may not be good enough to operate decently at 2.8. i would take a good look at the 85 1.8. It's certainly a good lens for indoor sports such as wrestling and basketball. If you had enough money you could always get a 200 1.8!!!!

[burnet44]

for how much?

[jakefreese]

I like my 85 mm 1.8 alot for indoor sports

[snyderman]

85mm f/1.8. Not more than $350 used. Available here at buy/sell forums every day of the week. Great lens for indoor sports shooting, wrestling included.

dave

[DC Fan]

I will be upgrading from a 300D to a 30D in the next couple of weeks, I need a lens that will do decent shots for Wrestling competitions.

Wrestling from a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX II lens.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing4/20111218a0301.jpg

Focal Length: 165.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250)
ISO equiv: 640
Exposure Bias: none
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB



http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing4/20111218a0815.jpg

Focal Length: 118.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.0020 s (1/500)
ISO equiv: 3200
Exposure Bias: none
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB



http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing4/20111219a1637.jpg

Focal Length: 200.0mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure Time: 0.0031 s (1/320)
ISO equiv: 2500
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB


For wrestling, volleyball, basketball and a wide variety of indoor sports, the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens (regardless of manufacturer, and there are several) is the basic coverage lens. That breed of lens provides the best balance between light-gathering ability and a range of focal lengths need to cover subjects at different distances.

[burnet44]

dang
blows my sucky snit out of the water
great stuff

[arich]

You could probably find a used non-IS 70-200 for $800-$1k. Its my preferred indoor lens.

http://www.andrewrichardsonphotography.com/img/s2/v1/p832567278-4.jpg


http://www.andrewrichardsonphotography.com/img/s2/v1/p1010475504-4.jpg

[Zivnuska]

I will be upgrading from a 300D to a 30D in the next couple of weeks, I need a lens that will do decent shots for Wrestling competitions, I took your advice and bought a 50mm f/1.8 II but have to admit it will not work for me as I can not move (forward and back) during competition so I need a zoom lens around 20-80mm that can take fast pics for wrestling in low light (that come out nice), but I don't think I can afford an L lens, can you please give me some other options? Sigma, Tamron, etc. Im willing to spend up to $500 for a decent lens new or used. Thanks for any advice.


Will you be shooting just wrestling indoors or will you shoot other indoor sports as well? If other sports too, which sports. Many different venues or just your home gym? What color mats will your wrestling matches be held upon? Do you have a speed light and /or strobe and is flash photography permitted for your matches?

What SS, ISO, and aperture settings have you been using at your venue with your current camera body?

Once you know the appropriate settings for your venue (ambient), then you can determine what aperture will be required to get a reasonable image in a 30D. Trying to shoot ambient wrestling is much easier if you can be assured the matches will be held on white mats. If the mats are dark or intensely colored, then shadows and off colors can be a problem unless you can use supplemental lighting.

Not all ambient light is created equal.