CANON EF 50mm f/1.4 for sports

Has anyone used this lens for basketball?

Reason I ask is that I have been using an EF 35mm that works fine except for one thing. It makes my 7D's shutter speed slow to two or three frames per second when servo autofocus is on. (Unlike my EF 85mm lens.)

I like to sit with my back against the bleachers on the long side of the basketball court and shoot horizontals with the 35mm. But it doesn't have enough magnification for midcourt use. That's where the 50mm would plug a hole.

But I'm not sure I'd buy one if the shutter speed will be as low as it is with my 35mm lens.

Might some of youse guys might have relevant experience and be willing to help me out?

That's the trade off when using a prime. Maybe you are better off using a zoom for flexibility but I am not sure whether the court is well lit enough to let you shoot at f/2.8 with fast enough shutter speed to handheld.

thestone11 wrote in post #14118954
That's the trade off when using a prime. Maybe you are better off using a zoom for flexibility but I am not sure whether the court is well lit enough to let you shoot at f/2.8 with fast enough shutter speed to handheld.

I have to respectfully disagree with you there. My 85mm prime lets the 7D shoot as fast as advertised.

Camera only slows down with 35mm prime attached.

I want to know if 50mm lens would be more like my 85mm or my 35mm.

The 50 1.4 is workable for basketball, but with its micro-USM it will not have the focus speed of your 85's true ring-USM. I used it for basketball and indoor volleyball, but those were not what I preferred to shoot, so I didn't really care if it wasn't the best.

I am trying to clarify something though, when you say "shutter speed to slow" you don't mean inadequate light bringing your shutter speed to reach 8FPS, you mean the camera is set to only shoot on confirmed focus, and the 35 can't keep up with the players at 8FPS, correct?

Again, the 50 will be better, but not as good as your 85. I would take a look at the 50 or 30 sigma 1.4's if you want a lens in that focal length range with faster focus capabilities.

You are all missing the point of the OP.....

His EF 35mm 2.0 does not give 8fps on his 7D in AI Servo. This is a known glitch caused by the Arc Form Drive AF in that lens.

The 50mm 1.4 WILL give him the full 8fps.

More info here.....

THE DIGITAL JOURNALIST
Tech Tips
June 2008
by Chuck Westfall


http://digitaljournali​st.org …tips.html#comme​nt-2234509

msowsun wrote in post #14119247
You are all missing the point of the OP.....

His EF 35mm 2.0 does not give 8fps on his 7D in AI Servo. This is a known glitch caused by the Arc Form Drive AF in that lens.

The 50mm 1.4 WILL give him the full 8fps.

Well it looks like you have found the source of the issue.

The 50 1.4 still doesn't AF as fast as his 85 1.8 though.

Ralpho wrote in post #14119015
I have to respectfully disagree with you there. My 85mm prime lets the 7D shoot as fast as advertised.

Camera only slows down with 35mm prime attached.

I want to know if 50mm lens would be more like my 85mm or my 35mm.

I am talking about just focal length here. You mentioed you use the 35mm but doesn't have enough reach for mid court action. That's why I said that's the trade off using a prime, you won't get the wide angle and the tele at the same time.