First college basketball game, lens questions...

Guess I'll join the millions asking about lens choices for college hoops...

I'm shooting my first college basketball game in 2 weeks. The venue is lit very well, so that's what is making me think about lens selection. I have a 1D4 and 1D3, which I will bring both, but not sure what to use for lenses. I was thinking of 70-200 f/2.8 Mark II on the 1D4, and probably a 50 1.4 on the 1D3, since the 85 I have would be covered by the 70-200. I also read in a few posts that some use a 300 2.8 for down-court shots. I do have a 300 2.8, but would that be a wise choice, or just stick with the 70-200?

Thanks!!!

Haven't shot at that level, but most of the time I see Pros at NBA games with both the 300mm and 70-200. If you want to carry the weight, I would think those two set ups would be the best choice.

zerovision wrote in post #15525148
Haven't shot at that level, but most of the time I see Pros at NBA games with both the 300mm and 70-200. If you want to carry the weight, I would think those two set ups would be the best choice.

Yea, and "carry" would be the word of the day since I wouldn't bring a monopod or anything like that. I'd probably get in the way with it. I'd be low to the floor anyway, and I could always put it down on time-outs and such.

Thanks for the reply...

What arena are you shooting at? Are you just shooting for a particular team? If it is well lit the 70-200 should be good enough. I have to use my 50mm 1.4 where I shoot now because the lighting is so bad and there is not much room under the baskets.

kenjancef wrote in post #15525126
Guess I'll join the millions asking about lens choices for college hoops...

I'm shooting my first college basketball game in 2 weeks. The venue is lit very well, so that's what is making me think about lens selection. I have a 1D4 and 1D3, which I will bring both, but not sure what to use for lenses. I was thinking of 70-200 f/2.8 Mark II on the 1D4, and probably a 50 1.4 on the 1D3, since the 85 I have would be covered by the 70-200. I also read in a few posts that some use a 300 2.8 for down-court shots. I do have a 300 2.8, but would that be a wise choice, or just stick with the 70-200?

Thanks!!!

There's absolutely no mystery here. The basic courtside basketball coverage lens, regardless of the level of the sport, is a handheld 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.

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I still say use the 300 and the 70-200, but I would consider taking the 85L and if you have a chance to shoot with it when they are at your end or driving towards you on, say, a break away, The 85 at 1.2 will give you some very cool images. I would probably put that on the 1D M4 so the AF tracking would be better.

Just a thought. With the opportunity, I wouldn't worry about having the carry it around. I'd rather deal with the burden that later wishing I had brought the extras lens.

Yea, that's what I'm going to do. My bag is big enough to fit both bodies and all 4 lenses, so why not. And yea, if I don't bring a lens I'll be sorry I didn't. Rather have it and not use it than wishing I brought it. I'll go early and shoot warm-ups to get a feel for it.

One other question: I assume that it won't be like a football game where you can move around all the time. Will they just give me one spot to sit in? I wouldn't want to get in anyone's way by moving around.

seaninsa wrote in post #15525310
What arena are you shooting at? Are you just shooting for a particular team? If it is well lit the 70-200 should be good enough. I have to use my 50mm 1.4 where I shoot now because the lighting is so bad and there is not much room under the baskets.

The Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, RI. I've been there a lot and it seems pretty well-lit. I'm used to shooting at ISO 6400 at f/2 for high school gyms, so I'm sure ill be good for this shoot...

In my opinion, which granted isn't worth much, a 24-70 is a must have for basketball. If you dont have one (yes I looked at your gear list) then it would be a toss up between the 50 for a little more wide shots when they are close to you on the baseline or the 300 2.8 for down court action.

When I'm on the floor often I just have 3 bodies, 70-200, 24-70 16-35.. over my 300 or 400, especially if I'm just covering one of the teams. But then again... I really dont know much about doing this stuff right.

I had a 24-70, but sold it early last year to upgrade to the 70-200 Mark II. I do miss it though. I'm just going to bring everything, that way I'll be all set. I could bring my T1i (which got moved down for my wife to use). I could use it for stills or something.

Most collage venues are well lit so you'll have some great options. Although they will vary, I'm typically at ISO 2000, f/2.8 with a shutter of 1/1250 which will open up about any lens you want to bring.

Four lens are my go to lens for this setting. 300mm, 70-200, and the 24-70 2.8 and the 24-105 f/4 (depending on light). Another option is putting a 1.4 ET on your 70-200, assuming you have enough light to shoot f/4 which I would assume you'll have.

If I was limiting myself to just two it would be a toss up between the 300 and the 70-200 as one combo, and a 70-200 with a 1.4 and the 24-105 f/4 as the other combo. Each combo will have it's own advantages and disadvantages IMO. But I do think you'll want to bring something wider then 70-200.

It did take me a few games to get used to shooting the 300 across court, so beware of that.

Good luck, and I'm sure what ever lens selection you chose you'll do well.

kenjancef wrote in post #15525774
Yea, that's what I'm going to do. My bag is big enough to fit both bodies and all 4 lenses, so why not. And yea, if I don't bring a lens I'll be sorry I didn't. Rather have it and not use it than wishing I brought it. I'll go early and shoot warm-ups to get a feel for it.

One other question: I assume that it won't be like a football game where you can move around all the time. Will they just give me one spot to sit in? I wouldn't want to get in anyone's way by moving around.

I've never seen them move around. I usually see them sit down under one net or the other and just stay there. I may get crowded under the net because everyone else will want to get that spot too, but I guess it will depend who gets there first. Probably a good idea to get there as early as you can grab a spot and stay there.

kenjancef wrote in post #15525774
Yea, that's what I'm going to do. My bag is big enough to fit both bodies and all 4 lenses, so why not. And yea, if I don't bring a lens I'll be sorry I didn't. Rather have it and not use it than wishing I brought it. I'll go early and shoot warm-ups to get a feel for it.

One other question: I assume that it won't be like a football game where you can move around all the time. Will they just give me one spot to sit in? I wouldn't want to get in anyone's way by moving around.

Get there early and set your bag on the baseline where you want to sit. Most of the photographers I shoot with have those folding soft cushioned folding seats (not the metal ones) that they sit on on the floor. So reserve your spot along the baseline as you will sit there the entire half, unless you wanted to walk to the other end (obviously around the outside).

I shoot stuff at the Gator games and I sit on the side that they are going to, so I get faces and not their backs. I mostly use the 70-200, but I have used my Sigma 120-300 if I wanted to do more defense stuff.

I agree with the idea of taking it all. 300, 70-200 and 50 is a great combo. I'll sometimes break out a 400mm for coach shots and a little cross-court stuff. I just try and stay low and stick to the corner and keep behind the line when shooting with it. For most college venues (excluding tournaments, major venues and the such), you aren't given a specific spot, but you have to stay along the base line, usually behind a dashed line. There's nothing wrong with moving along the baseline either if it isn't packed. Definitely "save" your seat with a jacket or bag or something. I'll usually go to the other side towards the end of the 1st half during a timeout to get a good spot.

Thanks for the tips. I live about 5 minutes from the venue, so I can get there pretty early. I do have a folding seat, a metal one, that I use for when I shoot running races like 5k's. I don't mind kneeling or sitting though.