Best Camera for Kids Sports

Looking for suggestions. Spend the budget, approximately 1k on a telephoto lens for a Canon 30D DSLR or on a smaller, lighter camera that will give me the same quality, close up shots from the bleachers for kids sports action? If the first, any suggestions on the lens or if the latter, any suggestions on a particular camera?

Thank you for any assistance.

tmwhitm wrote in post #17444779
Looking for suggestions. Spend the budget, approximately 1k on a telephoto lens for a Canon 30D DSLR or on a smaller, lighter camera that will give me the same quality, close up shots from the bleachers for kids sports action? If the first, any suggestions on the lens or if the latter, any suggestions on a particular camera?

Thank you for any assistance.

Heya,

Your camera is fine. What you need is a fast lens.

At $1k, I'd look for a second hand Canon EF 70-200 F2.8L (non-IS). Plenty of light gobbling and nice long reach on APS-C. The AF & FPS of the 30D will be plenty.

Other options, if you need MORE reach than that (second hand):

EF 400 F5.6L (prime)
EF 100-400 F5.6L (zoom)
EF 300 F4L IS (prime)

And maybe a little monopod to take the strain off your back for 2 hours.

Very best,

I use a Canon 300 f/4 with a canon 1.4X most of the time.

70-200mm f/2.8 will fit the bill quite nicely.

tmwhitm wrote in post #17444779
Looking for suggestions. Spend the budget, approximately 1k on a telephoto lens for a Canon 30D DSLR or on a smaller, lighter camera that will give me the same quality, close up shots from the bleachers for kids sports action? If the first, any suggestions on the lens or if the latter, any suggestions on a particular camera?

Thank you for any assistance.

What sports are you shooting? If your indoors, such as basketball, etc, you need something like a canon 85mm f/1.8, and get down on the floor, using f/2.0 with a shutter of 1/640. Gyms I shoot in I could never use a f/2.8 lens. If your shooting something like soccer outside, a canon 70-200, I actually use a 55-250 for baseball. Your 30d is going to struggle for indoor, hi iso sports, if I was spending your 1k, it would be
Used 60d for around $400, much better high iso performance.
Used 85mm for around $325
Used 55-250 for $150 or a 70-200 f/4 for $450 ish

Good glass will always do the job. Any of the Canon 70-200mm's should make you happy! GL!

Thank you everyone. I was leaning in the direction of a new lens. Mark2009, the shots would be both, in and outdoors. On a side note, has anyone had any issues with a 30D and a delayed shutter fire while in anything but auto mode?

I know this thread is now over two weeks old. Some suggestions anyway.
1. You might get more responses in the ""Sports Talk" section.
2. Most kids sports require a shutter speed of at least 1/500 sec., 1/640+ sec. is better.
3. Our gyms have great lighting (for small schools) and I use ISO 6400 f/2.8 and 1/640 sec. for basketball.
4. A new 60D camera (body only) is less than $500 at B and H.
5. Your options will be limited to find an f/2.8 or faster lens for around $500, the Canon 85mm f/1.8 is your best option for a fast lens in that price range.
6. Another possibility: Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di Lens, it is not very long for bleacher shots. Good review here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com ….8-XR-Di-Lens-Review.aspx
7. You will need a long fast zoom if very far from the action or for most (night) outdoor sports - $$$$
8. Daytime outside: The Canon 55-250 (a bargain) or 70-300mm (relatively large) lenses are possibilities.
9. Sports photography is not cheap!

Kids sports on a crop, 70-200 will be more than enough; you may have to back up even depending on the age. I shot a lot of kids T-ball and soccer and on my full frame body 70-200 was perfect.

I just did a community basketball tournament in a gymnasium today. Shot a 1D3+28-70 2.8L. At 70mm (91mm FF equivalent) most of the time while running up and down the court. Lens wide open at f2.8, shutter speed at 1/500th sec, and 2000 ISO did the trick. Very little noise for an older body.

So it really depends on what sport and environment. For smaller indoor gymnasium and for where you have some access, the 85mm f1.8 on 1.6 crop is a good choice. For larger indoors or if you're in the stands, you can do the 100mm f2 or 135mm f2 primes for under $1k. But if you need more reach, flexibility of a zoom, and don't mind the extra cost, then 70-200mm f2.8...

I'm going to make a slightly different suggestion. If you are on a budget, am most of us are, take a look at the Sigma 70-200 2.8 instead. I have used one quite a bit and really like it. It's also on sale now. Slightly more than you are looking to spend but worth it, I believe.

http://www.amazon.com …ID=41SQs3yV8KL&​ref=plSrch

Depends on which sports. Min 70-200mm f2.8 non IS. For field sports even for kids much more focal length, 300mm for min like 300mm f4 non IS or the IS model. But those going to limit day time use only, for indoors f2.8.

For 1K, I'd consider used equipment, a 60D ($400), a basic 70-200 f4 for outdoors ($500), and an 85 f1.8 for indoors ($300). Sell the 30D and put it with your grand budget and that about covers it.

I like the 70-200 f4 plus the 85 1.8 suggestion, it is what I am very strongly considering for myself. I find the the f4 is generally fine outdoors, but for indoor sports even the more expensive 2.8 is not fast enough. The combo above hits the nice zoom for outdoors and faster 1.8 for indoors, and it comes in at a reasonable price.

CraigN,

I just visited B and H and the body only was 649. Was the one you found a refurbished model?