Indoor sports - shopping for a new lens

[AlanSmith]

I have just joined the forum, and am finding it quite helpful. Thanks in advance for some feedback.

Doing some hockey and basketball recently, and finding the lighting horrible for my equipment. I'm doing a youth hockey tourney in a couple of weeks, and would like to improve the quality.

Considering buying the Canon 135mm f/2.0L USM (lowest price found = $753.95 at CambridgeWorld.com). Seems to be the best combo of low f-stop, medium zoom, and price.

Any advice on the lens, or the store?

Here is a recent shot - #1 is orig, #2 is cropped and lightened in ps elements:

Canon EOS 10D, Canon 100-400 1:4.5-5.6 L IS, 1/90, f4.5, ISO 1600, Flash Off
Shooting Mode: Manual, Focal Length: 190.0 mm, White Balance: Auto, AF Mode: One-Shot AF (I know, the AF should have been AI servo, but sometimes I forget to set it all up right).

[Persian-Rice]

Well, I shoot lots of hockey and I will tell you the first rule...........you need a f/2.8.
I have the 70-200 which you can find used for about $850-$900. What i like about the 70-200 is that the zoom is perfect for hockey, and the AF is VERY fast.
The 135 is awsome, but you will need a 1.4 tc for which will slow it down and it does not give you any zoom.

It also depends on what you shoot. If you shoot young kids, then it will perform great, because they don't move fast. I shoot AAA rep and junior A and when it gets as fast as that, then it becomes a little more tricky.

[AlanSmith]

Thanks, and help me out a little.

"1.4 tc" - what's that, and why do I need it?

[stv737]

A 1.4 tc multiplys the focal length by 1.4, so a 135mm would turn in to a 231mm but would make it 1 full stop slower.

[AlanSmith]

Ok, got it.

Is the 1.4 tc a 'must have' for the 135 to work on the 10D?

I'm guessing for indoor sports, the 135 will get me close enough. I'm figuring I can 'zoom-in' as I crop.

[pcasciola]

The TC is definitely not a "must have" for the 135/2L. Judging from the settings you posted, it looks like the lighting is really bad, so you may need more than f/2.8, and with your 10D, the 135/2L will give you the approximate field of view of a 216mm lens. Search for some of drisleys hockey pictures, he uses the 135/2L, sometimes with the TC and sometimes without.

Here's a few recent shots drisley posted with the 135/2L:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=59067&highlight=hockey

[22littlereasons]

Don't be afraid to go up to 3200 when you're in a dark arena or gym. A little noise reduction software, and things look great. Most places I shoot sports you have to go that high with the ISO just to get a decent shutter speed. I also use a 10D and have the f2.8 70-200. Works for me.

[AlanSmith]

Can you get ISO 3200 on the 10D? Mine tops out at 1600.

[pcasciola]

Yes, the 10D has ISO 3200. I think you have to enable it via a custom function before you can select it. It'll be about 20-25% noisier than ISO 3200 on a 20D, but still usable if you need it.

I posted some 20D ISO 3200 shots here. Nothing spectacular, but you can see how ISO 3200 is definitely usable. The 20D has less ISO 3200 noise than even the 1D Mk II, so you might get a little more than this, especially in lower light situations:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58331

[Jetmech1]

A while back I was searching for a lens to shot my children playing basketball. I was looking at the 135L lens my self. It should fit your needs, but may be a little short sometimes. Take Phil's advive and search for some of Drisley's hockey shots. I settled for a 85mm 1.8 prime. It has turned out to be a great lens for my indoor shooting. Works great for my kids sports shooting. Here is a link to some indoor pics I've taken with it.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57779

I was shooting from the court edge not from the stands so it was perfect for me, but in the stands it may be to short.