85mm or 70-200mm

i want to get a new lens for volleyball / basketball and dont know wether to buy the 85mm f/1.8 or the 70-200 f/4?

I dont think the 70-200 f4 will be fast enough without using VERY high ISO. I shoot with the f2.8 IS and in some gyms I have to go to 3200 for stop action shutter speed. Never had the 85, but will buy either 85 or 135L for indoor sports and portrature.

I would suggest the 70-200. Cause for me the 85 is more use for during taking portrait. Just put your ISO a bit high.

Cheers

Were the same age...lolz

jj_photography wrote in post #4077647
Just put your ISO a bit high.

Ehh...I have the 70-200 f/4 and wouldn't even think of trying to use it for any type of indoor sports, period. Even at ISO 3200 with f/4, the shutter speed still won't be high enough to really stop the motion effectively. Also, that lens is not going to focus as fast in low light meaning even more missed shots. The 85 f/1.8 or the 135 f/2 would be MUCH better.

Just bumping up the ISO is not a good solution. Buy the right lens for the job.

I agree, 85 1.8 gets my vote too.

I recently shot a HS volleyball game with the 70-200 f/2.8IS. To stop the action, you need at least 1/400', which I was averaging with the ISO cranked up to 3200, and the lens wide open at f/2.8. I would never consider the f/4 version of the 70-200 zoom. I brought the 85 f/1.8 along, but it was too short, and while the wider aperture may help with speed, I also found the DOF to be too shallow at f/1.8~2.

I would look into some other choices because like already stated, the 85 will be too short and the 70-200 F4 isn't fast enough.

What about the 100m f2?

Same build quality as 85 1.8 with a little more reach.

Wile_E wrote in post #4082164
I would look into some other choices because like already stated, the 85 will be too short and the 70-200 F4 isn't fast enough.

You could always crop.

what about the Sigma 70-200/2.8?

135L has to be a winner here surely

The 70-200 F/4 is a great lens, but the 85mm really shines in the low-light enviroment. I have used mine (85mm) to shoot basketball with great results. F/4 is way to slow for indoor sports. I used my 24-105mm L F/4 a few days ago at my daughters karate practice with very poor results. The F/4 was just way to slow for any type of low-light action pictures.

JuZ wrote in post #4082429
135L has to be a winner here surely

I want this lens for indoor sports. I would compliment my collection of primes.

The 85mm f/1.8 was my first lens and it remains my favorite one. Although it does not give you the reach of a zoom, it does deliver in other areas. First of all, under gym lighting which is not to great most of the time, it works very well. The 70-200mm f/4.0 will not work in a gym. It is just not fast enough. The f/2.8 version will work well if you push your ISO enough. The local newspaper photographers all use this. Best of luck!