Budget sports lens?

[Knockout05]

Well, my sigma 70-300 APO DG doesnt seem to be treating me all that well for right now.:( So, im on the adventure to find a better lens on a budget per say. I dont want to make the break for an L....yet;)

Please post suggestions and why or why not to get it along with some samples if you have them.

Thanks!!

[CountryBoy]

What type of sports and whats the budget ?

[Knockout05]

Well, as for sports. ALL highschool sports.Volleyball, baseball, soccer, tennis, football, softball, basketball. Probably something to just get me through the year.

Something that has an apeture of 2.8-5.6 would be really nice.

[dekalbSTEEL]

I don't think there is such a thing. I would say you are looking at $500 minimum to get something with f/4. I'm assuming when you say "not treating you well" you mean f5.6 isn't cutting it for low light and/or AF speed.

[shaneotool]

"budget sports lens" is an oxymoron

you would need a 70-200 f2.8 for outdoor sports, or maybe a 70-200 f4 for outdoor sports during the daytime only. For indoor gym sports, the 85 f1.8 is your best bet.

[CountryBoy]

Canon's 200mm 2.8L
I doubt an f/4 lens will do the job for night games or indoor games.

[Wazza]

Pick up a second hand Sigma 70-200 2.8

[Knockout05]

Only sports that will be indoors are volleyball. And i would say abudget of around 3-400 maybe.

And if it helps, we can use flash at the games. Used flash lastnight and no complaints at all.

[swjim]

They would be short for your outdoor sports, but with a budget of $400 I would probably recommend the 85mm 1.8 or 100mm 2.0.

Alternatively, you could look for a used 70-200 f4 L, but it probably won't be fast enough for evening or indoor shoots.

[jj_photography]

IMO

I would recommend to save up and get EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS

Cheers

[jacobsen1]

IMO

I would recommend to save up and get EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS

Cheers
Why?
He's asking about sports... He needs high shutter speeds for most shots anyway, so not only is the IS waaaaaay out of his budget, but it's also overkill...

I'd suggest saving for a used 135L, 200L, Sigma 70-200mm EX DG f/2.8. The first one is a f/2.0 but the focal range might be short. It works very well with the 1.4TC, but that's more money... The 200L is also a great lens wide open at f/2.8, but it's still over your budget and being a 200mm prime, not very versitile. The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 will be your best bet if you can find one used within your price range. For sports you want high shutterspeeds anyway, so IS isn't a MUST (sure it's nice, but $$$$) and the zoom will help a lot with different events.

[Moppie]

Pick up a second hand Sigma 70-200 2.8

Its about as close to a budget sports lens as it gets.

Altough there is currently a canon 70-200 2.8 on tradme at the moment for about US$400.
Its manual focus only of course as the AF motor is blown...............

[Emberghost]

The thing for me is I can shoot sports outside at f5.6+ but I think the images don't look that good. I like the depth I get from shooting players at f2.8, separates them better from the background and just looks more professional.

[Roger Cicala]

For indoor sports I think the 85 f1.8 or 100 f2, both readily available used, are great choices. The closest to a budget lens for outdoor use I think is the 200 f2.8. You can often find a Mark I version (same exact glass, but has a built in lens hood rather than the plastic one) for around $475.

[Familiaphoto]

If you can do it, get the 70-200 f/2.8, don't worry about the IS version. Won't help you with moving subjects.

[kitacanon]

300mm/4.5 MF Nikkor lens + adapter = <$100

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/1102/400canheres9.jpg

[kitacanon]

For indoors...each of these MF Nikkors (135/2.8 and 85/2) also for under $100
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/9388/cannikkrp8.jpg

[Knockout05]

Do you have any samples from any of these lenses?

[rklepper]

For indoor sports the 85 f/1.8 is excellent. For outdoor sports on a budget the 200 f/2.8L. Not sure that you will find one lens that does both well.

[BEEEsH]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/CANON-EF-70-200mm-f4L-USM-LENS-HOOD-EOS-5-30D-USED-WARR_W0QQitemZ280160874453QQihZ018QQcategoryZ4687Q QcmdZViewItem

Just so you know, Henry's is a highly reputable company, so buy with confidence.

If you don't buy that, I don't know what to say to you.

[Dragos Jianu]

Another vote for the 100mm f/2

[Knockout05]

If money permitted at this very moment, id probably buy that lens. As of now, i just spent ~$700 on other camera stuff leaving me with hardly any money for now.

[kitacanon]

300/4.5 full frame:
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/236/igiebff33smjtd7.jpg

100% crop
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1540/igiebff33cjym3.jpg

full frame, width cropped to fit here:
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/9437/her4sq53jtt4.jpg

[kitacanon]

135/2.8 full width cropped to fit
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/9523/peps33usmnwk4.jpg

[Knockout05]

For the money, they dont seem too bad.

[George E.]

For outdoor sports, the canon 100-300 USM can be had on ebay used for about $200 (maybe less). If you are just making prints you won't notice the difference between the 100-300 and the 70-200 f/2.8 ( I have both ). The f/2.8 is better but not by as much as you'd think. Both AF fast and accurate.

For indoor you need the 85mm f/1.8 or 100mm f/2.0 both budget lenses both fast enough for dark gyms. The f/2.8 won't cut it in most gyms.

$500 for both and you are set for any situation.

George

[liza]

For indoor sports the 85 f/1.8 is excellent. For outdoor sports on a budget the 200 f/2.8L. Not sure that you will find one lens that does both well.

I agree completely. I shoot sports and own both lenses, as well as the 100 f/2. If you want anything functional, you need to either go this route or save for a Sigma 70-200 for field sports and the 85 1.8 for gym sports. There's really no cheap answer for what you want and there isn't one lens that does it all.

[Knockout05]

I figured out the problem with my Sigma 70-300. However, i will eventually need something for night games and stadium games. Thast when the 70-200 2.8 will come into hand. Thanks for all the help guys!

[ClickClick]

I figured out the problem with my Sigma 70-300. However, i will eventually need something for night games and stadium games. Thast when the 70-200 2.8 will come into hand. Thanks for all the help guys!


What was the problem?

[Knockout05]

It wasnt a problem with the lens. I had a problem with a program on my computer that was causing all the images to be filled with noise. I haev since fixed the problem and am still looking for lenses:)

[Vertigo1]

Why?
He's asking about sports... He needs high shutter speeds for most shots anyway, so not only is the IS waaaaaay out of his budget, but it's also overkill...
Agreed. Amazed how many people seem to totally ignore the OP's budget and happily recommend £1000 lenses. We're not all minted! :)

[bauerman]

I have seen people recommend the EF 135mm f/2.8 SF for some potential limited use sports shooting. It is only going to run you approx. $250 and on a 1.6 crop body you are are over 200mm of reach with this lens. The "soft focus" feature can be shut off and it is said to be pretty sharp as well.

Thought that I would throw that out there.

[shutterfiend]

300mm/4.5 MF Nikkor lens + adapter = <$100



For indoors...each of these MF Nikkors (135/2.8 and 85/2) also for under $100
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/9388/cannikkrp8.jpg

Rhetorical question: How does AI Servo work with these set up?

[kitacanon]

Rhetorical question: How does AI Servo work with these set up?
Sorry, but I don't use AI servo on the 10D...

[chevysales]

[quote=jacobsen1;4083413]Why?
He's asking about sports... He needs high shutter speeds for most shots anyway, so not only is the IS waaaaaay out of his budget, but it's also overkill...

quote]


maybe overkill for you but with regards to the is some of us have very shaky hands and is helps at any speed with that problem

[chevysales]

It wasnt a problem with the lens. I had a problem with a program on my computer that was causing all the images to be filled with noise. I haev since fixed the problem and am still looking for lenses:)


what proggy caused that type of response/interference?

[bauerman]

Rhetorical question: How does AI Servo work with these set up?

AI Servo is not going to work with manual focus lenses -as no auto focus modes would work.

[Knockout05]

what proggy caused that type of response/interference?


I honestly dont know. My computer was acting funky so i restarted to "the last known working configuration" and ran some program cleaning software and im fine now.

[tsaraleksi]

AI Servo is not going to work with manual focus lenses -as no auto focus modes would work.

I think you might want to adjust your internet sarcasm detector.

[kitacanon]

I think you might want to adjust your internet sarcasm detector.

So I discovered when I offered my apologies for not using AiServo...still, I should say that while I'm not against using AF (see my sig)...I've used MF lenses for 40 years, and with focusing screens just like the 10D at that, making the use of the Nikkors on the Canon a real treat!

[shutterfiend]

So I discovered when I offered my apologies for not using AiServo...still, I should say that while I'm not against using AF (see my sig)...I've used MF lenses for 40 years, and with focusing screens just like the 10D at that, making the use of the Nikkors on the Canon a real treat!

Apologies.:cry: Sometimes I just can't resist. I think it's a great idea. I have a few OM (olympus) lenses that I use. But without a screen or focus confirmation (adapter) it's a hit or miss. I'll probably get myself both soon. However, shooting sports with a manual lens might pose more of a challenge than I'd be willing to tackle. Sometimes I wonder how they did it in the olden days. In the meantime, I'll have to keep my eyes open for a Nikon 300/4.5. Thanks for the tip.:D

[kitacanon]

Apologies.:cry: Sometimes I wonder how they did it in the olden days. In the meantime, I'll have to keep my eyes open for a Nikon 300/4.5. Thanks for the tip.:D

You're welcome...and BTW...I'm FROM the olden days...and didn't even use motor drives! I preferred to shoot ONE GOOD shot than shoot 3 per sec and hope....at 1000/sec there are 332 possible shots between the ones shot with a motor drive @ 3/sec (199 possibilities between ones shot @ 5/sec)
I don't use AiServo because I'd read that the 10D is slow...I might try it on my xt but I've read IT'S slow too...soooo, why bother if I'm better...(same for IS...I do just fine without it, thank you)...