Indoor sports w/ 70-200 f/4

[asysin2leads]

Ok, here's my question. I would like to get the 70-200 f/2.8L IS, but our remodeling budget has run over quite a bit. I am in the market for a flash (580EX) and will be picking that up soon. Will the 580EX and 70-200 f/4 be ok for indoor soccer? I obviously wouldn't aim the flash directly at the players. I shot f/4 at my daughter's indoor soccer arena and it wasn't too awful bad. The f/2.8 was nicer, obviously, but feel that the f/4 and 580EX will suffice. Opinions?

Kevin

[timbop]

f/4 will not be fast enough indoors for sports in that focal length. If you can't afford the f/2.8 zoom, then I suggest looking at the medium tele zooms; the 85/1.8 would be an excellent choice. You'll be limited in focal length, but at least you will get good shutter speeds with lower ISO's. The amount of detail that gets lost at ISO3200 is very significant, but at 800 only a little is lost.

[asysin2leads]

That's what I was afraid of. f/4 at 1/160 wasn't that dark. Granted, there was some motion blur, but wouldn't the flash freeze the action at a high Tv? I don't have the pics on my laptop right now. I've backed them all up and deleted them off my HDD.

[Cathpah]

forget about the IS and just go for the 70-200 2.8...i think thats a great compromise.

flash isn't gonna give you the reach you need at 200mm and f4 just aint gonna do it indoors for sporting events.

[nicklk]

I've shot my f4L in a low light, recreation arena for indoor soccer with great success.......it can be done

[asysin2leads]

Originally Posted by Cathpah

forget about the IS and just go for the 70-200 2.8...i think thats a great compromise.

flash isn't gonna give you the reach you need at 200mm and f4 just aint gonna do it indoors for sporting events.

Duh! I remember reading about that today. Thanks.

[asysin2leads]

Originally Posted by nicklk

I've shot my f4L in a low light, recreation arena for indoor soccer with great success.......it can be done

Do you have some sample images? Thanks.

[In2Photos]

Also, consider the EF 200 2.8 L. While it isn't a zoom it is 2.8 and not much more money than the 70-200 f/4.

[wonny]

I've shot indoor badminton with the 70-200/4 without flash at ISO 1600 with the XT. Pics came out great.

[kidpower]

You can shoot indoor sports with any lens as long as you have enough light. If the place is lit up like the sun you can use F4, F6, F8 etc.

The problem is that most indoor sports venues are badly lit. In those badly lit places you will also struggle with maintaining a high enough shutter speed to freeze action. Generally, F4 will not cut it for indoor sports. Sure there are places where it will work, it depends on the place.

Typical elementary, high school and local college gyms will push even a 2.8 lens even with ISO jacked up. You might have to sacrifice shutter speed. It's a balance you have to work out.

If you are serious about indoor sports and shoot in a wide variety of places, I would recommend 2.8 at a minimum, and preferably faster.

Good luck.

[kpyke]

Maybe helps....maybe nots...

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/04...asketball.html

[angryhampster]

Consider the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX DG as well. You can get it for about $600 IIRC.

[S.Horton]

If the lighting is really good, you might eek it out at ISO3200.

Give it a roll, if it fails, trade up. If you're not sure, rent an f/2.8. Consider also a fast prime. No substitute for aperture.

[RedMatrixXRS]

not all gyms are created equal. sometimes, 2.8 is barely cutting it sometimes. i couldn't imangine using f/4.

[superdiver]

I agree...2.8 indoors is unpredictable AT BEST! You will have to crank up the ISO and do alot of PPing work...

UNLESS you have a rare well light arena....LOL