Lens Advice for Dance Competitions

So my daughter does a lot of dancing. I have the 70-200 2.8 and it does a great job in low light keeping up with all the action. I also have a Tamron 17-50 2.8.

The Tamron quite frankly can't keep up with the action. AI servo mode (which is often needed due to the fast action) seems to put many shots out of focus. Can anyone recommend a good lens that could replace the Tamron? I was thinking about the Canon 24-105 but I haven't seen too many fast action shots with it and would lose 7MM on the short end (assuming I sold the Tamron to help fund the new lens.)

I would also prefer that whatever lens I purchase be compatible with a full-frame camera since I see one in my distant future.

Thanks in advance...thoughts?

If you are looking for something shorter than the 70-200 that will keep up, and can work with a full frame, I'd check out the canon 35mm f/2 IS or the Sigma 35mm art. If you are set on a zoom and want to go full frame, the 24-70 f2.8 would be the way to go- dance competitions typically require faster lenses than f4 without going into high ISOs.

On a 7D, if you need the wide, I would say the 17-55 IS from canon. Its very fast and accurate, decently similar to the 24-70 of the FF.

If you don't, you might consider the tamron 24-70 VC, which has both 2.8 and a stabiliser which helps a lot in low light. And the focus is on par with the canon 24-70 mark 1.
The canon 24-70 mark II is pricier, and doesn't have an IS, so even if its sharper, you might have issues sometimes for the lack of IS. But 2.8 is very helpful if the stage is not well lit.

135L?

super fast accurate AF, f2.0, pretty great for indoors.

I have a 7D & 6D. For my daughters indoor dance stuff, I honestly found the 6D made a bigger difference than any lens I could have put on my 7D. Use your lens money and pick up a 6D, strap the 70-200 2.8 II to it, and my guess is you'll be good to go.

Without the crop factor difference, the 70mm might be wide enough for you, and if not, the 35mm f/2 IS or 40mm pancake would do the trick I bet.

@Eyal - I wonder how the tamron 24-70 performs with AI Servo on? Also, as far as the 17-55IS, isn't that only for crop?

@Jerobean - I am looking for a zoom that is quick focusing and wider than the 70MM+ already on my 70-200

Thanks so far!!

I'd never thought of a fixed focal below the 70mm. I wonder how the newer 3rd party lenses work with servo mode? My older Tamron is sharp, but doesn't appear to be designed to work well when the camera is in AI servo.

Qlayer2 wrote in post #16940065
If you are looking for something shorter than the 70-200 that will keep up, and can work with a full frame, I'd check out the canon 35mm f/2 IS or the Sigma 35mm art. If you are set on a zoom and want to go full frame, the 24-70 f2.8 would be the way to go- dance competitions typically require faster lenses than f4 without going into high ISOs.

zosobao5150 wrote in post #16940210
I'd never thought of a fixed focal below the 70mm. I wonder how the newer 3rd party lenses work with servo mode? My older Tamron is sharp, but doesn't appear to be designed to work well when the camera is in AI servo.

I have the older sigma 30mm 1.4 (non-art) and pair it with a 40d- it has no problems keeping up in AI servo mode. I have a five year old at home, and it keeps up with him just fine.

zosobao5150 wrote in post #16940204
@Eyal - I wonder how the tamron 24-70 performs with AI Servo on? Also, as far as the 17-55IS, isn't that only for crop?

@Jerobean - I am looking for a zoom that is quick focusing and wider than the 70MM+ already on my 70-200

Thanks so far!!

sorry,I misread your original post...

do you like the range of the 17-50? do you find yourself at one end or the other, or do you use the entire range? I ask because a prime would probably be the easiest solution that will work with FF and crop.

also, do you think a f4 lens would work for you?

When my daughter was in dance competitions, I learned that part of their business model was to hire professional photographers and videographers, then sell their results. When they spotted my camera, I was asked to leave.

The 17-55 is crop only (EF-S). It is the fastest, widest lens that will go all the way to 50mm. It would be a direct replacement of the tammy with better AF and IQ.

Alternatively, the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 would be faster, and a zoom. Not sure how the AF, especially in AI servo, but again crop only.

If you plan on going full frame, then I suggest go ahead and GOING FULL FRAME. The 24-105L would end up effectively slightly faster than the 17-50 sigma.

Otherwise, the zoom option is going to be the 24-70 f/2.8, which on your crop my simply be too long on the narrow side.

If your amenable to primes, there are some great options that would be significantly faster, however they are clearly not as flexible as a zoom.

RandyAC wrote in post #16940273
When my daughter was in dance competitions, I learned that part of their business model was to hire professional photographers and videographers, then sell their results. When they spotted my camera, I was asked to leave.

That's a shame... I coach gymnastics and we have photographers that shoot usually one meet a year (usually the state championship since it's the largest) and the incentive for people to buy their shots comes from them being closer to the action and having better gear/technique then the average parent. Parents are still allowed to bring their own cameras and shoot as much as they like though (as long as they don't use flash).

I'd be pissed if I was paying all that money for my kid to do a sport/activity like that and then be told I'm not allowed to take pictures of them doing it.

To OP: I'd also vote for a prime in the 24-35mm range.

We seem to be overlooking the obvious match for the 70-200mm f/2.8, and that's the 16-35mm f/2.8L.
Looking at the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8, sure looks like a good option too.

Put a 24-70mm f/2.8 in the mix if needed.

RandyAC wrote in post #16940273
When my daughter was in dance competitions, I learned that part of their business model was to hire professional photographers and videographers, then sell their results. When they spotted my camera, I was asked to leave.

That's pretty over the top and would be enough for them not to get my money the next year.

zosobao5150 wrote in post #16940204
@Eyal - I wonder how the tamron 24-70 performs with AI Servo on? Also, as far as the 17-55IS, isn't that only for crop?

@Jerobean - I am looking for a zoom that is quick focusing and wider than the 70MM+ already on my 70-200

Thanks so far!!

Yes, the 17-55 is for crop. Don't you have a 7D according to your signature or its different? As I said, if you need that range, the 17-55 is a great lens.

The tamron so far from what I have seen, the tracking is very good. Good enough for the majority of sports.