One lens is too long the rest are to short...which is the hoy grail?

I went and shot basketball at a local highschool today, and the lighting as I am surprised was great (at 2.8), but the gym is small, as in 3 rows of bleachers...thats it.

My 70-200is ii was what I used all game, and it seems to be to long, when action was at my side and perfect for midcourt where there is little action. I have a tamron 17-50 and a 50mm but even right in the corner was to short.

This was my first basketball game, so I am probably doing 100 things wrong, but I almost feel a midrange tele would be perfect, like a 24-70, 15-85, or 24/28-105...but I think ill be hurtin for light if it isnt 2.8 or lower. I will literally be shooting at this gym for the next 20 years so I dont mind investing in a lens for it.

I was thinking about an 85mm after reading so much, but if 70mm is to long...

I should note there is like 1ft between end and walls and about 2.5ft on sidelines. So sitting under the net would probably not be an option...

1. What lens am I looking for?
2. Where is best positioning in a gym like this?

Thanks.

An 85 and a 50 are pretty good choices for indoor basketball. And the 85mm is definitely not too long, unless the players are right on top of you. For HS basketball, the 85mm f/1.8 is pretty much a 'go-to' lens for a lot of shooters. Probably the 70-200 is what I've seen most of, followed by a 24-70 f/2.8L. Obviously, the 85 is the low-cost choice.

Here's a shot with the 85mm:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …erphotography/5​498632306/

You have a lot of fast focal lengths to work with that cover 17 - 50 upto 70 - 200. You may want to try a few locations at the gym with the lenses you have to determine what focal lengths work best. It has taken me a while to improve with volleyball in gyms - and that is part of the fun of shooting kids sports for me. My favored focal lengths are 135 and 180 - but that is more due to where I can site and vangate points for the games - Ideally I would shoot with a shorter focal length (better DOF) and be closer to the court.

A 70-200mm lens is the basic coverage lens for basketball. For many photographers, it's the only lens they use to cover both ends of the court.

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Wow, that 24-70 is not cheap. If it was under $1000 I would get it, but at $1500, id rather try a 15-85 and 85 1.8... 24mm on a crop will not be as versatile as the 15-85.

You say the 50mm is good huh?, well im using a t3i, but will get a 7D this summer, so it will help with noise and focusing. I just felt I wasnt getting good ranges...maybe I need to crop more.

You are right stover, there is a lot to learn and a lot of experimentation to be done. fun fun.

Ya DC fan.. I thought about it, because a lot of my shots were backs or 15 arms in the air blocking faces. The side I was at, like I said only has 1ft at baseline, so I cant sit there or id get run over and at best interfere with game. But now that I think about it the otherside has an openstage...opps.

Thought never crossed my mind. /facepalm.

great shots better than mine
Focal Length: 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.0013 s (1/800)
ISO equiv: 6400

blows me out of the water
Im lucky to get

3200 1/250 2.8

and those are grainy

great job

any PP?

Here is a picture:

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IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/richardta/67941​25648/

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IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/richardta/67579​75497/

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Station15 wrote in post #14057161
I used the Canon 85mm 1.8 to take all these shots. My usual settings are 1/640, f/2.0 with an iso of 1250-1600. Good luck and I hope this post will help you.

My lens choice and settings as well. And the pic of the court and where to sit was awesome! That helped me a lot. Bad thing is that they playoffs are here already, and all the teams I would shoot are out of the playoffs, so basketball is done for me now. Next is softball...

good post on right handedness
I shoot most of mine on the offensive left
great post
I agree

Station15 wrote in post #14057161
Here is a picture:

The white areas is where you should shoot. Since the majority of basketball players are right handed, you'll get great shots of players going for a layup. The bad thing about it is that refs are usually coming down the court and in your way when the ball is being driven down to your side. This happens occasionally, but it's not bad.

The gray areas is another position where you could shoot. You'll get some nice action shots of players, but it's not really good position for right handed players.


I used the Canon 85mm 1.8 to take all these shots. My usual settings are 1/640, f/2.0 with an iso of 1250-1600. Good luck and I hope this post will help you.

Thanks that will help a ton!

Another noob question, do you sit or stand? I know in the NBA they all sit or kneel, but just curious for Jr high and high school, what you would tend to do?

NM, I should of read your whole post!

Im so old it hurts to get down
worse to get up lol

Well here is a link to the photos I took.

I must tell you there was NOT Vaseline on my lens. Its junior high girls, so not much action either lol.

http://www.flickr.com …s/sets/72157629​183521650/

Id like to know what I could improve on. I know the answer is everything, so you dont have to say that, feel free to be specific. I am pretty disappointed they are so soft, I had good SS. A couple I put in because the girls didnt play, and I wanted to include everyone. I know people standing around are not interesting or exciting, but of course it is to them.

Like this one for example, is of them sitting and its soft!

burnet44 wrote in post #14060011
Im so old it hurts to get down
worse to get up lol

Maybe try a box camera, I hear they are light.