Best Canon lens for fast action

ok thanks thats pretty cool.

thekid24 wrote in post #2215235
ok thanks thats pretty cool.

Yup, cheap way to get into macro!

thekid24 wrote in post #2204102
Oh I see,so are most hyperzooms on the soft side as far as quality of pictures or just THAT particular lens?

In general, zoom lenses with a zoom ratio (longest focal length divided by the shortest focal length) much greater than 3:1 (such as the common 10:1 lenses) are generally inferior optically to those in the same price range using a 3:1 (or less) zoom ratio. All of the current line of Canon L zooms except for two (the 24-105 and 28-300) have zoom ratios of approximately 3:1 or less.

Relatively inexpensive zoom lenses with a 10:1 zoom ratio are often not very good (to say the least). One exception to that statement that a lot of folks like (though it really isn't the sharpest zoom around) is the "Bigma" - the Sigma 50-500. I would expect the Canon 28-300L to be a reasonably decent lens as well, but at $2200 it is hardly considered to be in the "inexpensive" class.

SkipD wrote in post #2215763
In general, zoom lenses with a zoom ratio (longest focal length divided by the shortest focal length) much greater than 3:1 (such as the common 10:1 lenses) are generally inferior optically to those in the same price range using a 3:1 (or less) zoom ratio. All of the current line of Canon L zooms except for two (the 24-105 and 28-300) have zoom ratios of approximately 3:1 or less.

Relatively inexpensive zoom lenses with a 10:1 zoom ratio are often not very good (to say the least). One exception to that statement that a lot of folks like (though it really isn't the sharpest zoom around) is the "Bigma" - the Sigma 50-500. I would expect the Canon 28-300L to be a reasonably decent lens as well, but at $2200 it is hardly considered to be in the "inexpensive" class.

yeah ive noticed the L series are the most expensive lenses,but I suppose they should be considering how good they are.Im looking into getting the 85mm f/1.8,the closest thing to a L series lens that actually isnt.But downside is its a fixed lens.Oh well,the budget im on I gotta give a lil to take a lil.But hopefully in time i can upgrade to the L's.Im gettin really into the photography scene.So much more interesting than the point and shoot cameras.

thekid24 wrote in post #2216222
yeah ive noticed the L series are the most expensive lenses,but I suppose they should be considering how good they are.Im looking into getting the 85mm f/1.8,the closest thing to a L series lens that actually isnt.But downside is its a fixed lens.Oh well,the budget im on I gotta give a lil to take a lil.But hopefully in time i can upgrade to the L's.Im gettin really into the photography scene.So much more interesting than the point and shoot cameras.

How old are you? By the way you type and your name you sound relatively young (nothing wrong with that, I'm young too, just curious.)

Dont' get too hyped up with L's. Their are generally great third party alternatives to L's, or great lower end models from Canon (the 85 1.8 is a very good lens, the 85 1.2L is obviously sharper, better bokeh, wider aperture, etc, but it's much more expensive and unecessary for many people.) The 50 1.4 and 100mm macro are two other great non-L lenses.

Just try to get lenses with USM and you should be good.

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2216761
How old are you? By the way you type and your name you sound relatively young (nothing wrong with that, I'm young too, just curious.)

Dont' get too hyped up with L's. Their are generally great third party alternatives to L's, or great lower end models from Canon (the 85 1.8 is a very good lens, the 85 1.2L is obviously sharper, better bokeh, wider aperture, etc, but it's much more expensive and unecessary for many people.) The 50 1.4 and 100mm macro are two other great non-L lenses.

Just try to get lenses with USM and you should be good.

I am 24.And no worries I don take much personal,lifes to short to do that.I am a rookie so all the terminology I am trying to catch up with.Im getting there though.I want to stick to USM lenses.I got a nephew and a niece that run around so I dont want to have to worry if the lens is fast enough to catch them.I do understand that the 50mm 1.8(I believe) is fantastic in quality,lacks quality in the build,but since recently Ive been asked to do portraits of children and babies,I might get that,save the money from the shoots and then upgrade.So many possablities,it is addicting.Ive found my new hobby.Thanks for all teh advice and help,much easier and faster than reading reviews that concern the delivery/shipping etc etc than the actual quality of the glass.

thekid24 wrote in post #2216804
I am 24.And no worries I don take much personal,lifes to short to do that.I am a rookie so all the terminology I am trying to catch up with.Im getting there though.I want to stick to USM lenses.I got a nephew and a niece that run around so I dont want to have to worry if the lens is fast enough to catch them.I do understand that the 50mm 1.8(I believe) is fantastic in quality,lacks quality in the build,but since recently Ive been asked to do portraits of children and babies,I might get that,save the money from the shoots and then upgrade.So many possablities,it is addicting.Ive found my new hobby.Thanks for all teh advice and help,much easier and faster than reading reviews that concern the delivery/shipping etc etc than the actual quality of the glass.

No problem. BTW, 24 is a little bit old to still be considered a kid. Heck, my dad's 51 and still considers himself 18. He said after he hit 18 he stopped maturing. Haha.

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2216875
No problem. BTW, 24 is a little bit old to still be considered a kid. Heck, my dad's 51 and still considers himself 18. He said after he hit 18 he stopped maturing. Haha.

well the name "thekid" is from childhood.it just stuck and when coming up with an ID I find myself trying to figure out something that ill know,so thats why "thekid24"is my ID.I dont want my ID to be my name....thats vanilla.And yeah I hit the wall at 18 too....lol.Lifes not fun if you cant be a kid every now and then

thekid24 wrote in post #2217049
well the name "thekid" is from childhood.it just stuck and when coming up with an ID I find myself trying to figure out something that ill know,so thats why "thekid24"is my ID.I dont want my ID to be my name....thats vanilla.And yeah I hit the wall at 18 too....lol.Lifes not fun if you cant be a kid every now and then

Hehe. I'm in a similiar situation. When I was younger (maybe 7-8) browsing my first forums I created an account using the name JaGWiRE (I thought the car was cool at the time.) I have NO interests in cars at this point and only am keeping this name as I've been using it everywhere.

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2217179
Hehe. I'm in a similiar situation. When I was younger (maybe 7-8) browsing my first forums I created an account using the name JaGWiRE (I thought the car was cool at the time.) I have NO interests in cars at this point and only am keeping this name as I've been using it everywhere.

And its good to have a ID thats creative.JaGWIRE i can say is a creative name.

I've been given the opportunity to shoot indoor basketball and wrestling. My 20D kit lens and my 70-300 obviously don't work. I've been researching and reading this forum for a few days. I'm leading towards the 85mm 1.8, it fits my budget. Being that it's a fixed lens with a short DoF, is it really a tough lens to use. No one has addressed that...like I said, I'm brand new to basketball photography!! Appreciate your input.

cbgjen wrote in post #2234303
Being that it's a fixed lens with a short DoF, is it really a tough lens to use. No one has addressed that...

On the pro side, the lens has a fast and accurate AF, and if your camera and technique are up to it, it should yield decent results.

Best regards,
Andy

Thanks Andy. I know that was an odd question but someone had commented that wide open at 1.8, you only have about an 8" DoF. That sounded a bit tight for shooting basketball. Long story short, someone mentioned renting a lens so I'm going to try renting the two lenses I'm comparing. Thanks for your reply. jen

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2208667
I just tested out my 85 1.8 on some ice hockey tonight. I must say, this lens is perfect for this sort of application (well, I was not in the bleachers or anything, I was standing right outside the ice behind the glass). It's very quick, the focusing is great, I just held down my * button for continous focus, and it's pretty damn sharp at around f2.0 or f2.2, but even wide open it's good.

Tonight I shot some high school hockey and had many keepers using the 85mm f/1.8 lens. I was in the penalty box, so no shooting thorugh the dreaded glass. At the local arena I can shoot ISO of 800, 1/320 sec. shutter speed and f/2.2 to get the best exposure. The 85mm works great as it has fast focus and good reach on D_Reb. body.

I tried to use this with a Tamron 1.4x extender, but the images are a little soft compared to the 85 alone. I have to shoot wide open using the extender though so not sure if the low IQ is because of the extender or the max aperture of the 85 lens. Both probably contribute to the softness, I suppose.

This lens is great at hockey/ action/ low light indoors shooting.

gstaylor wrote in post #2241530
Tonight I shot some high school hockey and had many keepers using the 85mm f/1.8 lens. I was in the penalty box, so no shooting thorugh the dreaded glass. At the local arena I can shoot ISO of 800, 1/320 sec. shutter speed and f/2.2 to get the best exposure. The 85mm works great as it has fast focus and good reach on D_Reb. body.

I tried to use this with a Tamron 1.4x extender, but the images are a little soft compared to the 85 alone. I have to shoot wide open using the extender though so not sure if the low IQ is because of the extender or the max aperture of the 85 lens. Both probably contribute to the softness, I suppose.

This lens is great at hockey/ action/ low light indoors shooting.

For sure, I can't wait to pair it with a 50 1.4 and 135L.