Best Basketball Lens?

I,ve tried out my 85 1.8 for indoors sports with some disappointing results. The images lack sharpness. Tried everything down to 1/1250 on iso up to 3200. I always kept the aperture on 1.8. Could that be my problem?
I also found out that it's better to use central AF on team sports.

Straight from camera ( f/1.8, 1/750 ISO 3200) - only cropped:

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trig338 wrote in post #10992677
I,ve tried out my 85 1.8 for indoors sports with some dissappointing results. The images lack sharpness. Tried everything...

Body: 50D.

Have you done a micro-focus adjustment (MA) test?

No, I don't even know what that is.

I googled and found it's a fine tuning technique to manually adjust the focus. Do you think it's neccessary based on my posted image?

I bet it needs adjusting cuz its a dang good lens (as a rule, there are always bad copies of everything out there...)

on my 1.6 crop bodies, i absolutely love my 24-70L

Hey all,

I have the 7D and the 85 1.8 and the 50 1.4 lenses. From my experience, I would go with the 85 because, at least with mine, the 85 focuses faster than the 50 does. Speed for maintaining focus is good on both, but the initial focus is faster on the 85.

Gary W.

Gary W. wrote in post #11009600
Hey all,

I have the 7D and the 85 1.8 and the 50 1.4 lenses. From my experience, I would go with the 85 because, at least with mine, the 85 focuses faster than the 50 does. Speed for maintaining focus is good on both, but the initial focus is faster on the 85.

Gary W.

Do you happen to have any un-cropped shots from both lenses from the baseline?

I'm wondering if the 85 might be too long compared to the 50 with baseline access. I'm talking about play at the rim/post.

Good points Dave. Another way to look at it is 50mm for post players and 85 for guards.

You'll get some great shots from there with the 85, but you're going to delete a TON, too. I shoot v-ball from the stands with the 85 & plan on cropping. I think you can get away with that with the better sensors we have now.
If I shot from the sidelines, I might look into the 35mm f/2 or f/1.4 so I could see more of the action & not miss "The" shot. But the 1.4 is $1,300, so not this year when I'm shooting for free.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #11014312
You'll get some great shots from there with the 85, but you're going to delete a TON, too. I shoot v-ball from the stands with the 85 & plan on cropping. I think you can get away with that with the better sensors we have now.
If I shot from the sidelines, I might look into the 35mm f/2 or f/1.4 so I could see more of the action & not miss "The" shot. But the 1.4 is $1,300, so not this year when I'm shooting for free.

Thanks. I have court access to volleyball and basketball for my college. I've used my 50 f/1.4 for volleyball maybe twice and found it a toss up. Its neither wide nor long. Maybe a 24-70 would be the ticket? 2.8 wont work in the volleyball gym I shoot, but it may in the basketball gym.

for the most part, would a focal length of 200mm or more ever be needed on a full frame for basketball?

Staszek wrote in post #11011657
Do you happen to have any un-cropped shots from both lenses from the baseline?

I'm wondering if the 85 might be too long compared to the 50 with baseline access. I'm talking about play at the rim/post.

I would also like to see some shots from the baseline. For the gym i am shooting in i think there is about 5 feet from the wall to the basket so 85 in my mind would be too long. has anyone used the 35mm f/2? any good?

You will like the 85mm 1.8 for basketball and so much more. It's a great lens for basketball and portraits.

As others have said, you may find some shots where the lens is "too long", but for most shots sitting behind a baseline or corner, you'll get many good shots.

I'm by far not a sports photographer, but I think some my earlier shots from April turned out OK using a 40D and an 85 1.8

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hi i do alot of basketball photos for the team my son plays in
which this year is the U18. All this takes place in HS gym's or leasure centers.
i use a 7D body and due to the short distance between the basket and the end wall the 50mm f1.4 is perfect for around the low post area.
if you are able to move to the center court line then the 85mm f1.8 is hard to beat.
your decision should be based on where you intend to capture your action.
but both of these options for the money are hard to beat.