Need help with a compromise..

Assuming the gear in my sig is correct, except swap the 70-200 f/2.8IS for 70-200 f/4IS, what would fill the sports/low light area? A 85mm 1.8 maybe? Whatever this lens is I'd like to be able to use it in those situations where F/4 won't cut. I'm looking for something well under a grand to fill this spot.

Seems like you could use a 85 1.8 to fill the gap if you want. It's a great sports lens.

I have the 85mm f/1.8 and I can tell you that it's focusing is very fast for sports! Others can vouche when I say this, the 85 1.8 is very sharp fast, and ultra silent! I love my 85! I take it basically anywhere indoors, or anywhere I go. I don't have the 70-200 f4L yet, but when I get it then I guess I'll be carrying all three around...Kit 70-200 and 85. Anyways, great lens and great for sports. I haven't had the chance to take any dedicated sport photos yet, but sometime in the future I will have this chance. Don't hesitate on it, great purchase.

The 85 is great for gym sports. I use it with the 50 and the 100 f/2 for basketball and volleyball. I've been using the f/4 non-IS for field sports but will likely sell it to help finance an f/2.8 version in the future. I prefer the degree of background separation you get with a wider aperture zoom. Right now, I use the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 at work, but would probably purchase a Canon for my own use just for the USM.

Softball and Football is what I'm mainly concerned about as far as going (semi-)long and fast. I've gotten to use both the f/4IS and f/2.8IS versions of the 70-200. The real problem is neither (IMO) 70-200 has the shining qualities of the other, so it's either have both (which is definitely out of the question) or have the one I feel most comfortable with the majority of the time, which is the f/4IS. I don't want to lug around some big **** that I'm going to use rarely. I'd rather have a nice prime (due to cost) that's fast with some reach that I can also get some use out of aside of sports, or poorly lit sports. Whatever lens this is will likely be used so little for sports that I would hope to use it for portraits or large indoors..something like that.

I echo everything said above. If you are looking for a low light, sports/action oriented, prime, in that focal length range, the 85 1.8 or 100 F2 is what you want.

Both can be shot wide-open, they are great focusers, and size-wise they are very easy to handle.

If the focal lengths are what you need, take them with you indoors in practically any situation and you'll be happy.

Besides all that, they are outstanding for portraits and general use.

I shoot baseball, football, soccer and lacrosse with the 200L-2.8 and the 1.4xII comes in handy if I need more reach.

Good luck.

Psychic1 wrote in post #3223864
I shoot baseball, football, soccer and lacrosse with the 200L-2.8 and the 1.4xII comes in handy if I need more reach.

Good luck.

I use that one, too. It's a sweet lens.