Best Lens for High School Football

bigjon0107 · 18th of October 2006 (Wed)

I am going to be shooting a lot of football for one of the local high schools. What lens would be the best one for me to invest in beacouse of all the lighting issues that the staidums have? I would like to keep it fairly inexpencive, but please post your opinion on what you think the best lens is, and then the best ecnomical choice would be.

Thanks,
Jon

KENB · 18th of October 2006 (Wed)

Hi Jon

I have been shooting local highschool football games for the last 2 years. Most fields are not well lit, and a fast lens is a must. I would suggest a 70-200 2.8, or the sigma 120-300 2.8. Both work well. I shoot raw, in manual mode at 2.8 and 1/800-1/1000. PP takes care of underexposure. Good luck with the season.

Ken

Pete-eos · 18th of October 2006 (Wed)

If you want cheap and can shoot in low light, i'd suggest maybe shooting with a prime.

85mm 1.8
100mm 2.0
135mm 2.8

Apart from that I'd say the 70-200 f4L or 70-300 IS but they may struggle if your shooting in poor light...of course if your budget can stretch go for the 70-200 2.8 Canon or Sigma...

sonnyc · 18th of October 2006 (Wed)

Most highschool games are played in the late afternoon/night under pretty bad lights. The ideal lens is probably the 300/2.8 but that cost more than most people's car

.

If you want something inexpensive, the 200/2.8 would be a good choice. Pair this lens with a 1.4x and you'll have a f4 lens for when the light is still good and when it's getting dark, remove the 1.4x and bump the ISO up or use flash.

Another one is the Sigma 70-200. The zoom is nice when the action is close to you.

bigjon0107 · 18th of October 2006 (Wed)

Thanks for all the help guys! This weekend i am renting the Cannon 70-200 f2.8L US to see how it all works out. Thanks again. And if any of yall have any more suggestions i am completly open to them.

-Jon

Billginthekeys · 18th of October 2006 (Wed)

my opinon in order:
400 2.8
300 2.8
120-300 2.8 sigma
70-200 2.8

i love the 300 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 combo for football

calicokat · 18th of October 2006 (Wed)

I shoot High School games for the local paper. I use a 300 F/2.8L IS and a 70-200 F/2.8L IS. 2.8 is a must for night games, High School stadium lighting can be awful at times. You need the longer lenses for the reach, 135mm is too short most of the time.

bigjon0107 · 19th of October 2006 (Thu)

alright, i feel realy stupid asking this question but i am really new to this whole photography thing, when you use a say 300 f/2.8, your lins is at a fixed 300 mm right?

ed rader · 19th of October 2006 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjon0107

alright, i feel realy stupid asking this question but i am really new to this whole photography thing, when you use a say 300 f/2.8, your lins is at a fixed 300 mm right?

right.

ed rader

liza · 19th of October 2006 (Thu)

There is no economical choice for sports lenses. Trust me.
Probably the most versatile lens for night football with excellent image quality is the Sigma 120-300. The 300mm f/2.8 is sweet, too. At present, I'm using a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and a Canon 200L, but neither is really long enough to get facial expressions on a consistent basis.

bigjon0107 · 19th of October 2006 (Thu)

thanks, so if i were to only buy one lens would you you suggest one of those or should i go with a zoom telephoto and possibly put a 1.4 or 2x extender it for those longer shots? Or just get the lens beacouse i would need all the speed i can get?

samsen · 19th of October 2006 (Thu)

Save yourself both the money in long run and headache.
Buy L 70-200 IS 2.8, 2xTC. Use a monopod.
Buying anything cheaper or longer, you'll be paying more...Geting less...

cwphoto · 19th of October 2006 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billginthekeys

my opinon in order:
400 2.8
300 2.8
120-300 2.8 sigma
70-200 2.8

i love the 300 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 combo for football

Ditto that.

Woolburr · 19th of October 2006 (Thu)

The 300 f/2.8L IS is probably the first choice for most people, but it is a bank buster. The 300 f/4L IS is workable...but you will be at ISO 3200 in order to get ample shutter speed....the 70-200 f/2.8L IS is a super lens on a 1.6 crop body....you can get decent shots of action within 10-20 yards of you. Occasionally you will see someone mention a Sigma or Tamron...but they are just too slow focusing for my tastes. The bottom line is that it is not going to be cheap to get a reliable sports lens.

BryanP · 19th of October 2006 (Thu)

Eh, really hard to go budget savvy here.

The ideal situation would be a 300/2.8 + 70-200/2.8 when you're near the endzone

either way, you will NEED the reach for sure, and you will need 2.8 if you're going to be shooting night games

18th of October 2006 (Wed)	#1
bigjon0107 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 889 IMAGE EDITING OK	Best Lens for High School Football I am going to be shooting a lot of football for one of the local high schools. What lens would be the best one for me to invest in beacouse of all the lighting issues that the staidums have? I would like to keep it fairly inexpencive, but please post your opinion on what you think the best lens is, and then the best ecnomical choice would be. Thanks, Jon

18th of October 2006 (Wed)	#2
KENB Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ojai, Calif. Posts: 121 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Lens for High School Football Hi Jon I have been shooting local highschool football games for the last 2 years. Most fields are not well lit, and a fast lens is a must. I would suggest a 70-200 2.8, or the sigma 120-300 2.8. Both work well. I shoot raw, in manual mode at 2.8 and 1/800-1/1000. PP takes care of underexposure. Good luck with the season. Ken __________________ Canon Mk3,30D,Canon 10D(IR),Canon 70-200 2.8L,Canon 24-105 4.0L,Sigma 120-300 2.8,Sigma 18-50 2.8EX,Canon 50 1.8,Canon 580EX,Tamron 1.4X,Epson p-2000 kenbrown.smugmug.com

18th of October 2006 (Wed)	#3
Pete-eos Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SW London UK Posts: 1,994 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Lens for High School Football If you want cheap and can shoot in low light, i'd suggest maybe shooting with a prime. 85mm 1.8 100mm 2.0 135mm 2.8 Apart from that I'd say the 70-200 f4L or 70-300 IS but they may struggle if your shooting in poor light...of course if your budget can stretch go for the 70-200 2.8 Canon or Sigma... __________________ Canon 40D[FS]\|EF-S 10-22[Sold]\|17-55 f/2.8 IS[Sold]\|70-200 f/4L[Sold]\|Kenko 1.4xTC[Sold]\|430EX[Sold] Panasonic GF3\|20mm f1/.7

18th of October 2006 (Wed)	#4
sonnyc Cream of the Crop Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: san jose Posts: 5,000 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Lens for High School Football Most highschool games are played in the late afternoon/night under pretty bad lights. The ideal lens is probably the 300/2.8 but that cost more than most people's car . If you want something inexpensive, the 200/2.8 would be a good choice. Pair this lens with a 1.4x and you'll have a f4 lens for when the light is still good and when it's getting dark, remove the 1.4x and bump the ISO up or use flash. Another one is the Sigma 70-200. The zoom is nice when the action is close to you. __________________ Sonny www.sonnycao.com\|Gear List

18th of October 2006 (Wed)	#5
bigjon0107 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 889 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Lens for High School Football Thanks for all the help guys! This weekend i am renting the Cannon 70-200 f2.8L US to see how it all works out. Thanks again. And if any of yall have any more suggestions i am completly open to them. -Jon

18th of October 2006 (Wed)	#6
Billginthekeys Billy the kid Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Islamorada, FL Posts: 7,328	Re: Best Lens for High School Football my opinon in order: 400 2.8 300 2.8 120-300 2.8 sigma 70-200 2.8 i love the 300 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 combo for football __________________ Mr. the Kid. Go Canes! My Gallery My Gear what the L. just go for it.

18th of October 2006 (Wed)	#7
calicokat calicokat is BANNED Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 14,720	Re: Best Lens for High School Football I shoot High School games for the local paper. I use a 300 F/2.8L IS and a 70-200 F/2.8L IS. 2.8 is a must for night games, High School stadium lighting can be awful at times. You need the longer lenses for the reach, 135mm is too short most of the time. __________________ "You are going to fall off a cliff trying to get a better shot someday"- My hopeful and loving wife My Website My Gear Calicokat 1990-2007 RIP My Loving Kitty

19th of October 2006 (Thu)	#8
bigjon0107 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 889 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Lens for High School Football alright, i feel realy stupid asking this question but i am really new to this whole photography thing, when you use a say 300 f/2.8, your lins is at a fixed 300 mm right?

19th of October 2006 (Thu)	#10
liza User is banned from forums Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mayberry Posts: 11,386	Re: Best Lens for High School Football There is no economical choice for sports lenses. Trust me. Probably the most versatile lens for night football with excellent image quality is the Sigma 120-300. The 300mm f/2.8 is sweet, too. At present, I'm using a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and a Canon 200L, but neither is really long enough to get facial expressions on a consistent basis.

19th of October 2006 (Thu)	#12
samsen Cream of the Crop Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: USA Posts: 5,656 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Lens for High School Football Save yourself both the money in long run and headache. Buy L 70-200 IS 2.8, 2xTC. Use a monopod. Buying anything cheaper or longer, you'll be paying more...Geting less... __________________ Weak retaliates, Strong Forgives, Intelligent Ignores! Samsen

19th of October 2006 (Thu)	#14
Woolburr Mr. PMS Himself Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Tupperware capitol of eastern Oregon...Leicester, NC! Posts: 66,036 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Lens for High School Football The 300 f/2.8L IS is probably the first choice for most people, but it is a bank buster. The 300 f/4L IS is workable...but you will be at ISO 3200 in order to get ample shutter speed....the 70-200 f/2.8L IS is a super lens on a 1.6 crop body....you can get decent shots of action within 10-20 yards of you. Occasionally you will see someone mention a Sigma or Tamron...but they are just too slow focusing for my tastes. The bottom line is that it is not going to be cheap to get a reliable sports lens. __________________ *People that know me call me Dan* *You'll never be a legitimate photographer until you have an award winning duck in your portfolio!* Crayons, Coloring Book, Refrigerator Art and What I Really Think About

19th of October 2006 (Thu)	#15
BryanP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 679	Re: Best Lens for High School Football Eh, really hard to go budget savvy here. The ideal situation would be a 300/2.8 + 70-200/2.8 when you're near the endzone either way, you will NEED the reach for sure, and you will need 2.8 if you're going to be shooting night games __________________ Canon 1D \| Canon 10D \| Tamron 17-35/2.8-4 \| Tamron 28-75/2.8 \| Canon 50/1.8 \| Canon 70-200/2.8L The Daily Californian Photographer Equipment - My Complete Gear List Portfolio - Take a look at my portfolio in SmugMug

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