Settings & Lens for Basketball

[jsanz11]

What settings and lens should i use for capturing indoor basketball games without a flash? I own a canon rebel xt. Not sure what to set it to to stop the action and also keep the pictures nice and bright not dark and ugly due to the poor lighitng conditions of a highschool basketball gym. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
-joey

[blinking8s]

i'm a fan of the 85mm 1.8

Av or M, probably around f/2.8 and probably iso 1600

shoot from the corners of the court into the key, and get low

[jsanz11]

thanks...going to look into that one
i was using a 55mm but it's hard to have a lens like that with no zoom capabilities

[blinking8s]

well, zoom is kind of you're enemy in a way, its harder to zoon and keep in focus tracking a subject, the lens has to rerack its focus all the time, something like an 85mm prime will allow you to cover 3/4 of the court area around the key (the important area to shoot) and do a damn good job at it...and if lights crummy, you have 1.8 to back you up if needs be

other lenses, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 35...humm...thats about all id ever take with me, maybe a 16-35 2.8 if i wanted some wide under the net shots...

but the 85mm is the best heat you can be packin at a bball game if you ask me...being broke and in college, I shot an entire season of college basketball on it when I used to work for my old University, even at bigger games I saw big time freelancers with their 85's on...especially if the light was crampin in crummier stadiums or HS grade lighting

[QUASIPHOTO]

I will have to second what blinking8s says........that little 85mm is freakin amazing. It's my smallest and least expensive lense......but whoa nellie.......great results. Plus like Will says.....it will reach 3/4 of the court. You won't be disappointed with it.

[nick3849]

Originally Posted by blinking8s

well, zoom is kind of you're enemy in a way, its harder to zoon and keep in focus tracking a subject, the lens has to rerack its focus all the time, something like an 85mm prime will allow you to cover 3/4 of the court area around the key (the important area to shoot) and do a damn good job at it...and if lights crummy, you have 1.8 to back you up if needs be

other lenses, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 35...humm...thats about all id ever take with me, maybe a 16-35 2.8 if i wanted some wide under the net shots...

but the 85mm is the best heat you can be packin at a bball game if you ask me...being broke and in college, I shot an entire season of college basketball on it when I used to work for my old University, even at bigger games I saw big time freelancers with their 85's on...especially if the light was crampin in crummier stadiums or HS grade lighting

Not to threadjack, but does the zoom factor pertain to shooting football too?

I have a Tokina 28-70 mm, which obviously, sucks for sports.

Normally, I shoot with the zoom to its max (no other choice). If I decreased the zoom, would that help with clarity at all?

[blinking8s]

depends ont he lens really, but when 70mm is as long as you have to go with, to get a good shot you'll need to be right on the sideline waiting for a play to break to you're "zone"

[ACDCROCKS]

I've seen pros use the 70-200mm 2.8 and larger. Nothing is to large I guesss unless it's out onto the court

[rabidcow]

We use 70-200 2.8 on our football and soccer shoots, but for indoor sports the 50 and/or 85 cannot be beat. The 24-70 2.8 is nice, but nothing beats the color output of a prime lens.

[Croasdail]

You can bring a 70-200.... but it is going to be spending most of its time between the 70 and max 130mm. To me, it's like bringing a sledge hammer to drive sheet rock nails... you can do it... but.... when you can have an Ideal lens for $320 that is faster in every respect and has amazing color... I don't know why you would. The little 85 is just the bargin of the century from Canon.

[ACDCROCKS]

I agree with Mark that the 85mm would be ideal for basketball, epecially for slam dunks and under the hoop shots. It seems like everytime I shoiot basketball, a zebra stands right infront of me for no reason, whats so ever , but what ever.,