70-200mm choices for youth sports

bobbyz wrote in post #15787421
Used canon 70-200mm f2.8 non IS. You can get them for $900 or so.

The OP mentions using the lens indoors too; the Non IS will be very troublesome when trying to operate under 1/FL.

Rocky Rhode wrote in post #15787584
The OP mentions using the lens indoors too; the Non IS will be very troublesome when trying to operate under 1/FL.

If he is shooting sports at 1/50 or 1/125 it will not do well with or without IS in most cases. Also you can always use a monopod.

I do think the IS II version is the best choice but if money is an issue I would take a faster lens over an IS lens if I was shooting fast moving subjects.

Rocky Rhode wrote in post #15787400
The new Sigma or Tammy are your best choices unless you want the best; nothing can beat the MK II.

I opted for the Sigma and regret nothing; shot my daughters team at the Cheerleading Nationals inside the Hyperion Theater at California Adventure with execptional results.

Rocky, is your sigma the 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM -- which retails at around $1,300?

Rocky Rhode wrote in post #15787584
The OP mentions using the lens indoors too; the Non IS will be very troublesome when trying to operate under 1/FL.

Title said sports, indoors/outdoors what does it matter. You need aperture not IS, IMHO.

Yes, it is mostly for sports, of which some will be indoors. As a result, I would consider a non-IS lens because shooting sports indoors will require 1/400 or faster on the shutter anyway. IS is a great help in overall flexibility though, so I'd definitely consider it. But, the Canon f/2.8 IS pricing is a stretch.

mplezia wrote in post #15787621
Yes, it is mostly for sports, of which some will be indoors. As a result, I would consider a non-IS lens because shooting sports indoors will require 1/400 or faster on the shutter anyway. IS is a great help in overall flexibility though, so I'd definitely consider it. But, the Canon f/2.8 IS pricing is a stretch.

Its rare that 2.8 is fast enough in most of the gyms around here. Indoor sports are probably better with a fast prime.

gonzogolf wrote in post #15787624
Its rare that 2.8 is fast enough in most of the gyms around here. Indoor sports are probably better with a fast prime.

It is asking a lot to have a one lens solution. Separating the two (indoor/outdoor) might produce the best results. Compromises are such a pain when you don't have unlimited funds.

Tommydigi wrote in post #15787595
Also you can always use a monopod.

I do think the IS II version is the best choice but if money is an issue I would take a faster lens over an IS lens if I was shooting fast moving subjects.

This is definitely where I started with the f/2.8 non-IS.

If you go this route try to find a used one or a refurb. It's a tank of a lens. I had it for about 5 years but I sold it only because I did not like the bulk but the image quality is excellent ( I had the 2.8 IS II as well and it's very close )

It's a great portrait lens too.

not sure if you're opposed to refurbished, but with the 15% off currently running the 70-200mm f2.8L is available for $985 + tax, and the 70-300L is available for $1087 + tax...
http://www.canonpricew​atch.com/canon-refurb-stock-tracker/

I'd take a hard look at the sigma 70-200mm f2.8 OS if i were in your shoes...having f2.8 would be beneficial just for trying to blur out the sometimes busy backgrounds of youth sports

DreDaze wrote in post #15787865
not sure if you're opposed to refurbished, but with the 15% off currently running the 70-200mm f2.8L is available for $985 + tax, and the 70-300L is available for $1087 + tax...
http://www.canonpricew​atch.com/canon-refurb-stock-tracker/

I'd take a hard look at the sigma 70-200mm f2.8 OS if i were in your shoes...having f2.8 would be beneficial just for trying to blur out the sometimes busy backgrounds of youth sports

The 70-300L paired with a 85 f1.8(great IQ, fast AF, fairly cheap) would offer a lot for the price.

Good point, I didn't even think about that even though I shoot mine wide open all the time outside just for that.

bobbyz wrote in post #15787603
Title said sports, indoors/outdoors what does it matter. You need aperture not IS, IMHO.

In a perfect world I would agree; you cannot always get the light necessary to hand hold a 200mm indoors at 1/200 (plus). IS won't help with subject motion isolation ((Freezing action )), but it will come in handy when you are trying to get a shot of your loved one in low light when they stop for a pose.

The previous post is right. Don't forget that you will use it for more than sports. Get the IS. Eventually you will wish you had it.

bobbyz wrote in post #15787421
Used canon 70-200mm f2.8 non IS. You can get them for $900 or so.

Tommydigi wrote in post #15787480
+1. Outstanding lens

+2 I love mine

Outdoors, it's outstanding. While I will be working on an 85mm f/1.8 in the future, I have great results indoors with the non-IS f/2.8:

mplezia wrote in post #15787582
Thanks all for the thoughts.

f/2.8 for indoor is probably close to a need. The current f/4 is serviceable at 1600 and 3200 ISO, but it's right at its limit. So, it's a good point that most of the lenses I listed don't really help here (or are worse). A 85 f/1.8 (or even the 100 f/2) might fill that particular need instead of going with a one lens solution. That would give me a little more flexibility on the outdoor lens and allow for one of the 70-300mm lenses to be a more viable option.

One thing that prompted me to look at the 70-200mm lenses was a refurb f/2.8 priced around $900. That seems like a great deal for what is generally regarded as a very high quality lens. Plus adding a 1.4 extender would give me more flexibility (~100-400mm f/4). But, the question of overall reach and IS got me really looking at alternatives. I'll have to give the tamron and sigma a look. I had previously subscribed to the sigma sample thread . . . not sure why it slipped my mind here.

You need to check your math -- a 1.4x TC will only get you to 280mm and f/4 on a 70-200 f/2.8 lens.

If you do not think that 200mm will be enough reach for the outdoor sports, I think either the 70-300L or 100-400L combined with a 85mm f/1.8 for the indoor sports would work well.