70-200 f4L non-IS in low light

Hello everyone,

My mother plays in an indoor volleyball league and they are looking for someone to take photos. I'm on a super strict budget so I'm planning on purchasing a second hand 70-200 f4 without image stabilization. (I could go with something faster like the 85 1.8 but I like the range of the 70-200.) I know that f4 is pretty small and not effective in low light situations like an indoor gym but I figured I would see if anyone has ever given it a shot. I looked on the Lens sample page and didn't see many examples of what I'm particularly looking for so could anyone help out and give me some insight? Pics?

-I'm shooting with a 7D and because I am more of a videographer, I usually follow the 800ISO or less rule of thumb but with pics I know I can push for more. I also have the Manfrotto fluid head monopod so I don't need to worry about camera shake much...

Please help if you can! Thanks!

Honestly its not going to work in most gyms. F4 is too slow, and using the monopod wont help as you still need a fast shutter speed to freeze motion. You need a faster lens, like the 85 1.8 you mentioned.

gonzogolf wrote in post #15497329
Honestly its not going to work in most gyms. F4 is too slow, and using the monopod wont help as you still need a fast shutter speed to freeze motion. You need a faster lens, like the 85 1.8 you mentioned.

Yes, it really seems like this is the smartest choice. But I just hate that I cant control my framing. I guess with moving subjects I cant exactly 'set-up' the best shot anyway but I just predict that I will be a bit annoyed by the constant focal length of a prime.

I use my 70-200 f/4 IS for low light event photography ... it works quite well as long as there is little or no movement of the subjects. It would not work at all without IS which makes a huge difference in this situation. For indoor sports you will need at least the 70-200 f/2.8 or as mentioned above, the 85 f/1.8. Good luck.

TimHphotovideo wrote in post #15497364
Yes, it really seems like this is the smartest choice. But I just hate that I cant control my framing. I guess with moving subjects I cant exactly 'set-up' the best shot anyway but I just predict that I will be a bit annoyed by the constant focal length of a prime.

You can always crop after the fact, and move your body (assuming you're not in the stands or something).

TimHphotovideo wrote in post #15497364
Yes, it really seems like this is the smartest choice. But I just hate that I cant control my framing. I guess with moving subjects I cant exactly 'set-up' the best shot anyway but I just predict that I will be a bit annoyed by the constant focal length of a prime.

You cant crop a photo that doesnt exist because its radically underexposed, just saying. Honestly though you arent going to get good shots sitting in the stands and zooming away. Place yourself where you can frame the shot with the lens that will work for you.

BrandonSi wrote in post #15497427
You can always crop after the fact, and move your body (assuming you're not in the stands or something).

No I will be on the sidelines for sure. Yea cropping is always an option, just need to make sure I don't take it in too much or I might loose some quality.

The best gyms I ever see would allow for f/4, 1/640 and ISO 12800. That would be workable (barely) with that lens and camera, although I personally would not use ISO 12800 on a 7D unless the intended output was web images or small prints.

And thats a good gym. Many are a full stop darker, which would have you at f/4, 1/320 and ISO 12800. That to me is going to be both blurry and noisy.

An 85mm lens is actually perfect for volleyball for about 75% of what I consider the primary shots. The only place you would want a bit longer would be shooting from on high over the net (for hitters) and where you would want a lot longer would be through the net from the opposite backline. You are giving up the backline shots through the net with the 85mm prime...too short.

JeffreyG wrote in post #15497453
An 85mm lens is actually perfect for volleyball for about 75% of what I consider the primary shots. The only place you would want a bit longer would be shooting from on high over the net (for hitters) and where you would want a lot longer would be through the net from the opposite backline. You are giving up the backline shots through the net with the 85mm prime...too short.

Yes, hopefully I can be right smack in the middle of the net post, just a few feet back right up against the first row of seats. I think you are right about the 75% of shots, I might just have to time those 'serving' shots and move closer to those players along the side...

TimHphotovideo wrote in post #15497490
Yes, hopefully I can be right smack in the middle of the net post, just a few feet back right up against the first row of seats. I think you are right about the 75% of shots, I might just have to time those 'serving' shots and move closer to those players along the side...

You do not want to be level with the net. Sit six feet to either side.

When you are six feet onto the side of your own team, you are well positioned to get the setter, the far and middle hitters and the backline. Plus serves.

When you are six feet onto the side of the opposite team, you are well set to shoot back through the net. This get the far and middle hitters plus all blocking. You can get some backline action from here too.

You cannot shoot the near side hitter from either spot. You get her from the other side of the court, by making her the far side hitter.

If there are bleachers, you can shoot from just above the net, six feet on the opposite side net sideline. You shoot the hitters back over the net from this spot, also blocking.

Finally I shoot from the backline through the net. Good for hitters and blocking, but you need 200mm and you will have problems with traffic of the other team that is between you and the net.

JeffreyG wrote in post #15497572
You do not want to be level with the net. Sit six feet to either side.

When you are six feet onto the side of your own team, you are well positioned to get the setter, the far and middle hitters and the backline. Plus serves.

When you are six feet onto the side of the opposite team, you are well set to shoot back through the net. This get the far and middle hitters plus all blocking. You can get some backline action from here too.

You cannot shoot the near side hitter from either spot. You get her from the other side of the court, by making her the far side hitter.

If there are bleachers, you can shoot from just above the net, six feet on the opposite side net sideline. You shoot the hitters back over the net from this spot, also blocking.

Finally I shoot from the backline through the net. Good for hitters and blocking, but you need 200mm and you will have problems with traffic of the other team that is between you and the net.

Wow, your not new to this I see! Thanks for the pointers, very helpful!!!!