Lens for indoor basketball?

Hi guys!

I may be shooting an indoor basketball game in the next few weeks and I was wondering if my 85mm f/1.8 on my 7D would do the job?

As I really love this game and want to try me at sport photography, which lens would you recommend for indoor and outdoor basketball games (and maybe soccer)?

Thanks for your advice!
Dom

Since you're shooting with a crop sensor, you have reach of a 136mm lens. You'll probably only get decently framed shots if you sit on one end of the court. You won't be able to reach the other side. If you sit in the middle of the court on the sidelines, you won't be able to reach any in-the-paint shots.

Based on your gear, you don't have a choice but to use the 85. You'll be fine, but you'll need to walk around to the other end of the court to capture the other team. Don't be afraid to crank your ISO up to get fast shutter speeds. You can shoot 1.8, but you'll need to really be good with your focus since the players will be moving fast.

Thanks for your quick answer.
What if I could rent a 70-200 f/2.8L (or f/4L)?

blackjack999 wrote in post #15615530
Thanks for your quick answer.
What if I could rent a 70-200 f/2.8L (or f/4L)?

I would recommend the 2.8L with IS, if you're not using a tripod. 2.8L is safe enough to use to capture things in focus. that lens also focuses really quick. I have the mark II of the 2.8L IS, and it's my go to lens.

Thank you.

I'd second the recommendation for the 2.8, however, IMO the NON-IS version will suit your need just as well if you're only shooting basketball with it. At the shutter speeds you'd be using, image stabilitzation would serve little purpose. And, from personal experience, I found the NON-IS version to be a just as sharp as the IS version (especially if shooting wide open with a fast shutter).

For indoor basketball, you will more than likely need something faster than 2.8. Common settings for most gyms other than pro arenas are: manual mode, f2, 1/500, and whatever iso is needed for exposure. Probably in the 3200-6400 range.

The 85 1.8 is one of the standard indoor sports (bball/volleyball) lenses. As mentioned, equivalent to 136mm on your 7D. My goto lens from the floor is the 135 f2 on a 1dx.

blackjack999 wrote in post #15615508
As I really love this game and want to try me at sport photography, which lens would you recommend for indoor and outdoor basketball games (and maybe soccer)?

I use a 70-200/2.8 with a 1D Mark IV. In most gymnasiums this works for me at f/2.8, 1/640 and ISO 6400 to ISO 12800. So you have a few things to consider:

Given the gymnasiums you will be shooting in, is f/2.8 going to be fast enough for you on the 7D? How high of an ISO are you willing to use on that body? A few years ago I was shooting with bodies that I did not like above ISO 3200, and so I used primes for the speed. I only changed to the 70-200/2.8 for indoor sports once I got the 1D Mark IV.

If the game you are shooting is older kids or adults with the best action being vertical in the paint, then the 70-200 is about an ideal basketball focal length on a FF body like the 5D Mark III, it is a touch too long under the basket on a 1D and it will feel too long on a 7D I think. But there are not too many other options, at least not in a single lens. At one point I was using both a 70-200 (more from the corners) and a 24-70 from under the basket.

The 85/1.8 is workable for good shots, it will feel about right shooting from the corners of the court. From directly under the basket (my favorite place to shoot) it is going to be too long for most action in the paint. It will be good for shooting perimeter passing and guard play.

Ironically, with all this talk of the 70-200 being a bit too long for basketball, I'll now also tell you that a 70-200 is a bit too short for soccer. I like my 100-400 for soccer, but I will also note that this lens is useless for any indoor sports since it is too long and too slow. You could get away with a 70-200 for soccer, but you will be restricted to only shooting action that is near to you. Even action in the middle of the field will seem quite distant from the sideline. It's a big field.

I am shooting basketball in about 15 minutes. 7D with the 70-200 2.8 IS VII and that is about as good as it gets for a zoom lens indoors. But the 85 1.8 is magnificent if you are near the action. Good luck!

You can also try the 100f2 Same lens as the 85 but a little more reach.

I use the 7D with the 70-200 II and get great results. I sit on one end, but still get good shots of the other end. I sit on about the 10th row of the stands, and when the action is on my end the 70mm is sometimes not wide enough. However, for most shots it is a perfect lens. I do sometimes use a monopod. It gets fairly heavy after an hour or so.

ISO 3200 & 6400 are your friend for this type of shooting. I try to use 3200, but I will kick it up if my shutter speed is too slow at 3200. You will want to at least have 1/250 but faster if you can.

I am thinking that a 5D III and the 70-200 II would be a perfect combo for this kind of shooting, but not for me (yet).

Have fun with the Bball shoot.

I have shot volleyball from court-side and my 70-200 was too long, even on a 5D. From the ends of a basketball court, on a crop-sensor body, it would work much better. If you are close to the action, you will want something short & fast. I found myself wanting a 24-70 II, or a 17-55, and having the cash for neither.

I use Canon 50D with Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS. Our gym has really good lighting for a high school gym. The only problem is the poor lighting in the end zones.

Correct settings for shots out in the court are: ISO 6400 f/2.8 SS 1/800
Baseline is ISO 6400 f/2.8 SS 1/500
I compromise by using ISO 6400 f/2.8 1/640 sec.
I get motion blur with any SS below 1/500 sec.

A fast 85mm lens is very good if you are comfortable using a prime. You need room to back off the end line or shoot from near the corner if using an 85mm lens on a crop camera. I prefer the versatility of a zoom. The Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 looks like an interesting lens for basketball but I can't justify spending nearly $1,000 for another lens.

I shoot quite a bit of indoor basketball. With a 1.3 crop body (1D-III) I use a 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.8 and 135 f/2L almost exclusively. I had the 70-200 f/2.8L but f/2.8 is a bit dark even in my very well lit gym and it was significantly heavier than I wanted to deal with.

For my personal style (gym size, light level, camera body, desire to handle the weight) I put the lenses in this order:

1. 85 f/1.8
2. 50 f/1.4
3. 135 f/2
4. 70-200 f/2.8

Remember the most important thing you can do is to BE IN THE RIGHT PLACE. Shooting sports from the stands is pretty lame. If you have the choice, get on the court and do it right.

Canon 85mm 1.8 or the Sigma 50-150mm 2.8 . I've used both and prefer the Sigma if there is enough light .