Indoor sports photography questions...

[Daffunda]

New here, but taking indoor/outdoor sports photography for a while.

Have a 40D with the 28-135 IS USM kit lens, and the 70-300mm f/4 5.6.

The second lens is great for outdoor sunny sports photography. Can go 1/1000 or faster no problems at low iso.

However indoor photography is a different story. Especially at the gymnastics meet, I am running 1600~3200 at 1/400 and barely underexposed. (Flash photography is not allowed.)

I see these "university paper" guys using the L series f/2.8 and think to myself, "man, this sucks..."

I am thinking about going for the 70-200mm f/2.8. :lol: expensive...... but....

So my questions are:

1. How much of an ISO reduction am I looking at from a f/4~5.6 to a f/2.8 at same shutter speed?

2. I am thinking IS is useless for indoor sports with fast shutter speeds of 1/400 or faster.... But I do take non-action shots (like athletes while taking a break or something) so I feel that ISO can help..... What is your opinion on this....

[JeffreyG]

f/2.8 is one stop faster than f/4 (doubles your shutter speed) and two stops faster than f/5.6 (quadrouples your shutter speed).

I personally find that f/2.8 is too slow for many indoor sports like gymnastics and sometimes wrestling at a youth level because the lighting is so poor. I tend to use primes like my 135L and 85L (you could use the 85/1.8 ) as these are yet another stop faster than the f/2.8 of the best zooms.

Before you buy anything, go to the worst venue you want to shoot, set f/5.6, ISO1600 and whatever SS you need to get white tones pushing the right edge of the histogram. Now figure out how many stops (doublings) faster you need to be to get the SS you really want.

Example - You needed 1/125 to get the exposure. You want 1/500. 125 x 2 x 2 = 500 so two stops. In this happy case the 70-200/2.8 would work.

Example - You needed 1/40 to get the exposure. This time you actually need 3 and 1/3 stops more light to make it.....f/1.8 in other words. The 70-200 would leave you 1 and 1/3 stop underexposed (or push you to ISO3200 plus still 1/3 stop under).

That second example is the kind of darkness I'm used to in youth sports.

[Zivnuska]

I agree. I have the 70-200 f/2.8 IS but at most HS or MS venues I need to shoot the 85mm f/1.8 to get the SS at 1/640 or faster (I use f/2.2, 1/640 and ISO3200 at my home gym). Well lit gyms will support the f/2.8 70-200. The 85mm is cheap ($350), focuses fast, and is sharp at f2.2 ).

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/zivnuska/trial-3.jpg

Ambient gym light stinks in quantity and quality, so I invested in the real solution-(for next year)-Alien Bees.

[crazyskillz07]

I am soon getting two Alien Bees 1600's. Along with my 70-200 it is going to be awesome but is flash photography is not allowed your in some trouble. I would say a 85 1.8 would be a good investment for you.

[Daffunda]

Thanks guys,

Now do you have any suggestions on where to shop for lenses?

The Ritz camera (actual store) can order them, but is at retail. But they do have the 30 day complete return policy, and there is an option to buy insurance in case you decide to drop them and break it.

I suppose online stores are cheaper, but I guess if it is broken, you have to pack it up, send it in, and go through all the hassle.....

[Zivnuska]

It's B & H for me. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

There are other places that are good.

[JeffreyG]

Thanks guys,

Now do you have any suggestions on where to shop for lenses?

The Ritz camera (actual store) can order them, but is at retail. But they do have the 30 day complete return policy, and there is an option to buy insurance in case you decide to drop them and break it.

I suppose online stores are cheaper, but I guess if it is broken, you have to pack it up, send it in, and go through all the hassle.....

I buy everything from B&H and Adorama. Any problems and you can return the items no sweat. And problems are pretty rare.