Zoom lens for indoor sports photography

[Kai-from-Germany]

Hi, does anyone know good zoom lenses for Canon EOS 300D featuring a large aperture, concerning to satisfy the requirements of indoor sports photography? I am grateful for any recommendations.

[pcasciola]

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS ($1600 US)
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L ($1100 US)
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 ($800 US)

Some people has reported that the Sigma is not as sharp as the Canon at f/2.8.

If you think you can get away with 75mm or less, there's always the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Xr Di for around $325 US.

[mblanton]

Indoor sports photography can be one of the most demanding situations to get into. If you are strictly talking about photographing without the aid of strobes your lens choices are very limited. You want a lens with at least a 2.8, but a 1.8, 1.4 or 1.2 would be more desirable.

1. 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM
2. 50mm f/1.4 USM
3. 85mm f/1.2 USM
4. 135mm f/2 USM
5. 200mm f/1.8 (discontinued) "often called the holy grail of lenses"

Any of these choices would require a substantial investment and even then you would need an ISO (film speed) in the 800 range to get a fast enough shutter speed. Depending on what you are photographing and what your specific needs are you might want to consider shooting with a flash and moderately priced zoom lens. I hope this helps.

Mike

[Kai-from-Germany]

Thank you for your answers so far! Kind Regards, Kai

[ECpirates96]

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS ($1600 US)
This is a great indoor sports lens that I would highly recommend. Everyone should have one including me. I have used a friends a few times and it is sharp and lighting isn't too much of a concern.

[S.Horton]

@EC - Welcome to POTN.

FYI, this thread stopped in 2005; when you see the last post, checking the date will avoid that.

(I've done it!)

[squashed]

Man, how deep must one dig to revive a thread from 2005? Or maybe from the "similar threads" below ?

[Gibbo]

I'm not a prime person. I find them rather limiting. Although if i were shooting indoor sports i think your only option is a fast prime. 1.8 would do the job much better than 2.8. How about the 85 1.8. Brilliant lens with awesome low light abilities.

[Gibbo]

^^^ wow i just saw that this thread was started in january 2005 :P I guess you have already chosen your lens and no longer need help haha..

[S.Horton]

It happens.

I did it once or twice -- It is not hard to revive one by accident.

[snyderman]

85mm f/1.8 is a really fast lens in low light. It's also priced reasonably at about $350 USD second hand.

My two go-to lenses for indoor sports are the 70-200 f/2.8 and the 85mm f/1.8. Actually, the 85 gets more work shooting american basketball at the prep school level.

dave