Best 50mm for indoor sports?

[sjlund]

What is the best 50mm lens for indoor "sports"? My 2 year old will be in gymnastics this fall and I'd like to be able to capture a few memories. The obvious contenders are the Sigma 50 1.4 and the Canon 50 1.4. Are there any that I'm missing? Which would be the best on my XTi?

[Mike Bowen]

50L which is 1.2 but is a lot more $$.

I have the 50/1.4 Canon and i love it.

[sjlund]

Is the 50L actually better though? I would rather use the 85 1.8 than the 85L for action.

[Palladium]

get the 85mm f/1.8 ;)

[Performa01]

The EF 50/1.4 USM, while generally a really nice lens, it would not be my first choice for shooting sports. AF with this lens is a bit unpredictable sometimes – from all my primes this one is the least reliable.
I cannot comment on the Sigma, but I’m quite convinced that 50mm in general will be a little short for sports shots, i.e. it will not get you close enough to the action to provide pictures that really draw attention.

So my recommendation can only be the EF 85/1.8 or 100/2.0 USM. They both are ideally suited for (relatively) close distance action shots.

[Grimes]

Not sure how close you can get to her performance, but I dont think 50mm is going to satisfy you. Def consider the 85 as mentioned before.

[Heraldo]

70-200 2.8 would be my choice

[n1as]

I shoot a lot of indoor basketball. My fav. lens is the 85 f/1.8. I also use the 50 f/1.4 although it doesn't focus as quickly or accurately.

I've done some inside shooting with the 135L and have been very impressed with it. I used the 135 and the 85 at a school concert and the 135 worked great but my pride & joy (85) stumbled. Yep, the 135L is impressive.

I've tried f/2.8 zooms and so far none have let in enough light.

[manutd101]

85 1.8 is the king of fast primes for indoor sports.

[silvex]

135L f2

[kidpower]

I will echo N1as.

I have the 50 1.4, 85 1.8, and 135L. I shoot a ton of indoor sports and other.

The 85 1.8 and 135L are outstanding indoor lenses for movement. The 50 1.4 is a fantastic lens, and I have used it some for indoor action, but for me it's a step below the other two. While not bad, it simply doesn't focus as quickly as the other two in lower light action situations.

Good luck.

[Mr B Pix]

Echo here...
85/1.8
135/2L

You will need to be closer than you think to use the 50/1.4. With them moving around so much it can be difficult.

[JeffreyG]

I've shot quite a bit of gymnastics, and I have used 85mm and 135mm focal lengths on the 5D. 50mm and 85mm would both be good on a 1.6X camera, but if I had to choose one lens it would be the 85/1.8 on either.

I get by with using the 85L, but its focus speed is a hindrance. The 85/1.8 is a better 85mm lens for sports.

Canon 5D, 85mm, f/1.6, ISO1250

[datadump]

i think 50mm is not long enough for most sports.... i'd do the 85f1.8 + 135L combo. both are blitz fast focusing.

[gryphonslair99]

50L which is 1.2 but is a lot more $$.

I have the 50/1.4 Canon and i love it.

For the fast action of chess maybe. The 50 1.2L is outstanding in the studio, but the focus speed is just not fast enough to keep up with sports. :)
:)

[datadump]

jeffG ... btw, really great shot

[sjlund]

Thanks for the advice. I think what I'll do is bring my Tamron 17-50 along for the first week just to see how the 50mm works out for me. Even though it's only 2.8 it will give me an idea if I want a 50 or an 85.