50 1.4 and Basketball

[djmphotography]

I shoot basketball in a very tiny gym for a volunteer organization. Besides being tiny, the gym is VERY dark. Would this lens be suitable in this situation? Thanks!

[alan_potter]

I guess that if the gym is tiny, we'd have to ask what kind of camera you're using it on. There's a significant difference between 50mm on a 1.6 crop camera and a full-frame one.

The next question would be "where are you planning on sitting relative to the court?"

And then someone who was qualified (that is, not me :) ) might be able to help with some answers!

regards,
/alan

[JVolz]

Well, it will let in more light and focus faster than the 1.8 lenses, and in a small gym a 50 may be all the reach you'll need. I've used my 50 in a small gym where my kids play basketabll, and sitting on the endline I have plenty of reach for that offensive end.

Anything faster is going to be MUCH more expensive.

[djmphotography]

I have a Rebel XT. I usually sit right in the middle and even with the 50 1.8, the reach is fine...the pictures are not. Would I be better off getting the 50 1.2?

[xtrpureguts]

I shoot a lot of indoor basketball. The rebel was my first camera and I also picked up the 50mm f1.4. Like you, I often found very poor lighting at the youth basketball courts. I thought shooting at 1600 ISO with the lens wide open at f1.4 would give me a great shutter speed. It did, however, I forgot about the corresponding narrow depth of field. When attempting to filll the frame with under the basket shots. My subject would often have the jersey (which I was aiming at) in focus but the face was out of focus due to DOF. I ended up bumping the aperture toat least f2.0 to resolve this. If you are further away from the action things worked out a bit better.

I then picked up a sigma 70-200 f2.8 as an economical alternative to the canon equivalent and the 50mm stayed in the camera bag for sporting events. Still nice for portraits etc. You'll also find that both the sigma and canon 70-200's will aquire focus a lot faster than the 50mm with the canon version tops.

Now days my primary basketball set-up is my 20D at 3200 ISO, Canon 70-200 f2.8 and Noise Ninja software for reducing noise.

The 50mm 1.2 is probably a great lens, but I don't think it's strength is indoor sports. Have fun shooting and good luck.
Don

[djmphotography]

Thanks for the replies.

Is there a better lens that someone could recommend for my situation (if not the 50 1.4)? I have the 85 1.8, 50 1.8, 70-200L 2.8, but the gym is so small and so dark...I'm a bit confussed at what I should be searching for (I have the 580ex flash, but can't use it inside the gym).

Thanks.

[acorean]

I actually had good luck in a tiny dimly lit gym with the nifty fifty. However focus hunt kept my keeper rate down. I don't think you need anything long but it's got to be fast.

50 f/1.4 maybe?

[asxu]

djm, i'd first try out your 85.. if that doesn't help. buy a 50/1.4.. the 1.2 has trouble focusing in the dark.

[liza]

The 85 1.8 is probably a better lens for basketball in terms of focal length and autofocusing speed. Kick your ISO up to 1600, set the shutter at 1/400, and the aperture around 2.2. Adjust accordingly for your unique lighting conditions.

[Eagle Eye]

Liza you sure give good information on your posts, I enjoy reading your posts.

[djmphotography]

Thanks everyone. I think I will give my 85 1.8 another chance before I spend more money.

DJM

[bmb77]

Have you considered using a flash. All the schools I shoot in are blck holes. I use my 580 on M 1/2 power. AV 250 @f5.6. works for me.

[mikeassk]

Trade in your 20d for a 5D. Thats what i plan on doing.
Just crop it cause the resolution is so high and the iso performance is at least a stop better...

[djmphotography]

I could only wish for a 20D to trade in...I'm still small time with my Rebel XT. It works for what I need, except in this one particular gym. Since I cannot use my flash, I will try Liza's advise on settings along with my 85 1.8 this weekend. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

Thanks again!

[22littlereasons]

I position myself along the baseline close to the key and use a sigma 30mm f1.4. Works fine.