Questions -- Which Lens?

I want to get a lens for indoor - Volleyball, but here is my dilemma. I do not want a 70-200L 2.8, because I am waiting for the Canon EOS r version of this lens..

So any suggestions?

- Sigma 135 1.8
- Canon 135 2

Suggestions?

thanks in advance

I have rented (do not own) a 85mm f1.8 that I have used for indoor basketball and track. Worked just fine.

All depends on the access you have, and the light in the gym.

I've been shooting my daughter for the past few years. and there are times when I can get tucked up right under the net/beside the ref's stand. In these instances, I can get away with a 50mm or a 100mm -- anything longer is unnecessary.

If you're farther from the net or in the stands, then you're fighting speed vs length. You're resigned to using a 70-200mm, as the f4 usually won't cut it in the gyms I've shot in.

I wonder if the new Tamron 35-150mm f2.8-4 will be a good lens for some of these indoor sport uses?

when my daughters played I used the 135 f/2 all the time and it worked great. The 70-200 2.8 also but you said you didn't want that now.

I've had the 135 f2 L in the past, a really nice lens. But it is also an old design that hasn't been updated in ages. I've been personally looking at the Sigma for myself, it is just super sharp. From the test I've seen, it is also a pretty crisp focuser.

When I shot a crop body, the 85 f1,8 was great, but on a full frame too short to get good cross court frame filling action. But it is one of my favorite lenses. Bang for buck, one of the best. But Sigma also has a pretty dang good 85 now too.

I've been really pleased with the new Sigma lenses.

What body are you using? On a full frame, I would be happy with 135. On a crop body, I think that's too tight for a lot of shots.

I realize that wasn't really what you were asking... I just thought it was worth mentioning.

I've shot with the Canon 135, but never the Sigma. I still use it sometimes over the 70-200 just for the extra stop of light. The extra 1/3 stop on the sigma is definitely a point in its favor.

IMO: everything in photography is a series of choices and compromises. Everything starts, at the photo vantage point you will have when shooting...

1. You need a fast aperture for indoor volleyball. Both for light gathering capability and for selective focus. The ISO capability of the camera with which you are shooting has a lot to do with the light gathering capability needed. Obviously, a camera that has a higher ISO capability will allow you to shoot with a lens that is not quite as fast...

2. You need a fast autofocus lens and camera. While a lens like an 85mm f/1.4 or f/1.2 provides great light gathering capability and excellent ability to isolate players with shallow DOF, the f/1.8 versions of the 85mm lenses often focus faster than the wider aperture versions. Besides the AF of your lens, the AF capability of your camera will also come into play - especially low light AF capability. The choices along this line depend on if you are going to purchase an outfit specifically for this type of photography or if you are just going to purchase a lens to use with your normal gear...

3. Focal length is the last choice in the equation but, IMO, the above factors are more important. Unless you can get a decent exposure and unless you can get decent focus, it doesn't really matter what the focal length is.

70-200 2.8 is still my answer - and when the RF version is released, you can sell yours and make the move, or wait to see what reviews (and costs) are like before making that decision.