Help me choose my next lens for 7D Mark II

I shoot kids sports, primarily.


Currently have:

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS ver 1
Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS USM ver 1
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Canon 1.4x Extender II

I had purchased a Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 Dx II, and only used it for two vacations over a few month span. Before I really understood how to utilize it, I sold it. Really wishing I would have kept it now that I'm itching to get more creative.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Do you have enough reach with your 70-200? The 100-400 or a 300/4 might be nice. Indoor sports? 85/1.8, 100/2 or 135/2. Also the Tamron 10-24 VC might be nice improvement over the older designed Tokina UWA lenses if you want to explore that. What kind of budget are to willing to drop?

Kids' sports, primarily.

I shoot the same. You don't need a 100-400 with the 70-200/1.4X on a 7D2. Pick up an 85 1.8, or 135L. Both come in handy in crappy light. I also use a 200 2.8L II, but my 70-200 is the f/4L IS.

16-35 f4 IS. Really fun focal length on crop.

Bassat wrote in post #18336306
Pick up an 85 1.8, or 135L. Both come in handy in crappy light.

Good advice here.

Most likely on a $1000 budget.

FarmerTed1971 wrote in post #18336337
16-35 f4 IS. Really fun focal length on crop.

For its price I think its an absolute steal but I think it really shines on FF. On crop bodies, there are other options if UWA is desired.

If you're shooting outside sports during the day such as soccer and baseball, consider the canon 400mm f/5.6. It's sharp and fast. A used one is under $1000. A monopod will be needed at low shutter speeds.

dochollidayda wrote in post #18337425
For its price I think its an absolute steal but I think it really shines on FF. On crop bodies, there are other options if UWA is desired.

Sure, but I don't use it on crop as a UWA... I use it as a 50mm walkaround.

I find 70-300L very useful for outdoor kids sports.

I think more details about what sports you are shooting and if they are indoor or outdoor and how close you are able to get to your subject. If you are shooting basketball from under the goal post in a dimly lit gym you will want a very different lens than shooting baseball from beyond the dugout.

LSUsportsfreak wrote in post #18336034
I shoot kids sports, primarily.


Currently have:

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS ver 1
Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS USM ver 1
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Canon 1.4x Extender II

I had purchased a Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 Dx II, and only used it for two vacations over a few month span. Before I really understood how to utilize it, I sold it. Really wishing I would have kept it now that I'm itching to get more creative.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Your camera bag almost identically mirrored mine, before I completely revamped it. Given that you're focused on shooting kid's sports; and you have a $1,000 budget. My thoughts would be the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary lens.

I'm not sure what type of children related sports you're referring to, but the Sigma 150-600 was paired well with my 7D MkII for outdoor youth football, baseball and soccer.

I sold both, the 7D MkII and Sigma 150-600, to generate some cash to purchase the 1Dx MkII and Canon 100-400L MkII. And, I can honestly say that I miss both. I may repurchase the 7D mkII, because of the crop factor; and may purchase the Sigma 150-600 Sport.

LSUsportsfreak wrote in post #18336034
I shoot kids sports, primarily.


Currently have:

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS ver 1
Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS USM ver 1
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Canon 1.4x Extender II

I had purchased a Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 Dx II, and only used it for two vacations over a few month span. Before I really understood how to utilize it, I sold it. Really wishing I would have kept it now that I'm itching to get more creative.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

I know you use your camera primarily for kid's sports. However, assuming you sometimes also shoot non-sports subjects indoors and in low light, you might consider the Canon 35mm f/2 IS USM or the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8. I have both and use them extensively on my 7D Mark II. The Sigma is fairly large and heavy so depending on circumstances I often opt for the smaller and lighter Canon 35 mm. The Canon lets in 1/3 stop less light then the Sigma but it has 4 stops of IS which is very useful shooting static subjects in low light. Both lenses are very highly rated by DXOMArk. The only lens you have that lets in that much light is the 50mm f/1.8. I have the latest STM version of that lens which is very good, but I find I use a 50mm prime quite infrequently.

Thank you all for your input.

I primarily shoot baseball and youth football during the day hours. I also shoot high school football games at night with poor lighting. Our school gym has poor lighting, and I am tasked with shooting pep rallies and volleyball from time to time.

Occasionally I shoot at an indoor theater from a balcony with the 70-200. Sometimes the lighting on the corners of the stage is poor.

I would love to increase my ability to shoot better pics at night when we go to Disney, and I don't care to lug a tripod into the park.


I'm wondering now if my lens selection is adequate, or do I need to get a second body, a full frame....perhaps a 6D or better.

Thanks again!

It won't help you get more reach if you need to get out further than the 70-200, but the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 Art is a really nice lens for low light situations. My only complaint is the weight and the focusing speed on some cameras. Paired with my 7D2 the 50-100mm really shines, but on my M3 with the mount converter the focusing is really clunky although accurate (you can feel the internals moving around A LOT in servo with the M3). If you need more reach the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary is also an awesome lens, but will not work well in low-light situations. If you need more reach than 200mm AND low light compatibility you're looking at big bucks for a big, fast prime.

-Joe