Low light action lens

[KartGirlsMom]

I want to do some indoor sports photography--gymnastics, volleyball, basketball. I already have a f2.8 70-200 lens, but sometimes it is still to dark to stop action. Generally flash is not allowed. Any lens suggestions?

[roanjohn]

135 f2.
85 f1.8.
50 f1.4.

That should cover your range.

OR!!

200 f1.8......tee hee

Ro1

[BearSummer]

Hi KartGirlsMom,

I guess it depends on how close you can get to the action and how much you want to spend.

In the consumer range (ie not to painfull in the wallet)
50mm f1.4 or 1.8
85mm f1.8

In the pro range (ie lots more money)
85mm f1.2
135 f2
200 mm f1.8

The 200mm is not made any more so you will need to look in the second hand adverts.

The other option is to push up your iso to give you a little more speed. If you do this then you will get more noise, however it may be cheeper to get some good noise suppression software rather than spending a lot of cash for pro lenses.

Best regards

BearSummer

[DaveG]

I want to do some indoor sports photography--gymnastics, volleyball, basketball. I already have a f2.8 70-200 lens, but sometimes it is still to dark to stop action. Generally flash is not allowed. Any lens suggestions?

With my old 35mm stuff I liked to shoot basketball while sitting on the corner of the baseline/sideline. I'd use an 85mm f1.8 and shoot in most highschool gyms at 1/500 @ f1.8 with ei 1600 film. Now I'd use my 50 f1.4 and get either an extra shutterspeed out of it or perhaps I'd lower the ISO by a stop.

From that position I could photograph the offensive guards moving the ball and their faces would often be in my direction. As always you want faces in these images. I could also get the stuff under the basket as the big guys went at it. After awhile I'd move (still on the baseline) to about halfway to the basket. This would help me see even more offensive faces although the 85 (50) would be a bit long for the Key stuff now.

The 85 f1.8 is another possibility, and I aways wanted a 100mm lens to tighten up the guear shots. But this is a long lens on a 10D. and a 60 is what's really needed.

Volleytball is a similar set up if you are allowed close to the net and VERY difficult to photograph. 90% of that game is hitting the ball to a place where the defence least expects it. And if the PLAYERS don't know where it's going, how does the poor stupid photographer figure it out?

If allowed, I'd sit on the floor on one sideline, but back as far as the ref made me sit. I'd be looking through the net into the faces of one team. My shot would come when a couple of them went up to block or slam. Since they are travelling up and down on one plane (more or less) it was relatively easy to focus on them and maintain that focus as they went up. AF is great but you have to be careful about the camera deciding to focus on the NET in front of the players. After I did that shot for a bit, I'd sit on the other side and pick out a player who looked like they had a reasonable chance to dig the ball. You can wait hours it seems for this shot as the ball almost always goes to someone else, or so it seems!

The 50 f1.4 would be usefull for both of thse type shots. If the ref keep you farther away the 85 might be better.

Gymnastics is many sports hiding under one title and you'd have to judge each specialty on it own. You may need a longer lens for most of this and the 85 or even the fast 135 (f2) might be required.

Single flash from the camera position sucks, so even if you are allowed to do this, don't. But the funny thing is the last people that are going to notice that you are using flash are the athletes who have much bigger fish to fry!

[drisley]

I shoot low light all the time.
I use the 50F1.8II, the 85F1.8, and now I am anxiously waiting to use my 135F2L.
These are all EXCELLENT lenses. I think the best value is actually the 85F1.8, but the best quality is the 135F2L.

The 85F1.8 is a MUCH better low light sports lens than the 85F1.2. The 85F1.2 has very slow autofocus compared to the 85F1.8, so it's definately not worth the extra money. The 85F1.2 is more of a portrait lens.

[KartGirlsMom]

Thanks all, I think I order the 85 f1.8. It's in my price range :)

[drisley]

You wont be sorry. That is one AWESOME lens!!!
My favourite shot with this lens is this one.

ISO800 1/200 f2.5 (http://www.mts.net/~lftbrain/iso1600crop2.jpg)

[dorkn]

KartGirlsMom - Great questions , because I too am in the market for a upgrade lens over the 300D kit lens. I will be doing low light indoor photos at the BMX Ramp Park and even some indoor holiday events. Hard decision the 50mm or the 85mm f2.8. But I was also considering the 70-200mm f2.8 / L lens but am not for sure how well it will work for indoor and outdoor action shots. I know it is alot of $$$$. I would really like to know before I buy a lens.

[drisley]

some indoor holiday events. Hard decision the 50mm or the 85mm f2.8.
Actually, it's an 85mm f1.8

[dorkn]

yep my bad. f1.8... LOL! I have been looking at the 70-200mm F2.8 / L. I just can decide. Get a Prime lens and a 550ex flash or just get a 70-200mm lens.... I am on the fence and open for suggestions. Sorry Kart Girls Mom didn't mean to jump in on your topic... But it looks like we are wanting to know the same things.

Brian

[drisley]

I grappled with the same decision for a couple weeks, 70-200F2.8 (maybe IS) or a prime (135F2L w/ 1.4x ext).
In the end I went for the prime and extender for it's size, weight and sharpness, and I've never been happier about any purchase.
But the zoom may be better for you. It's a tough decision.

[KartGirlsMom]

I already have the 70-200 f2.8. I really love the lens, but sometimes, especially indoors I'd like to try a larger aperture (or is it smaller--I mean bigger opening :oops: ) and the 85mm f1.8 isn't a huge--comparatively speaking anyway-- investment. This will be my first prime lens. I wonder how many times I'll try to zoom it???

[dorkn]

Is the 70-200mm f2.8 locked at 2.8?

Never mind it goes up to 32.... Duhh. I should have read closer on B&H

[Jim R]

I am also looking for a basketball lens, and am considering the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 because it is in my price range. Any experiences or issues with this one, or any other aftermarket suggestions?

[Ajay213]

Canon 50mm/1.0L would be perfect! ;) (http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/50-1.0)