Long fast glass??

I'm getting ready to cover this years youth baseball season and I have been considering the purchase of a 300 f/2.8 (is or non is) after using one several times last year but I started thinking about using a 200 f/1.8 since one popped up in the FS Section.

I'm ready to buy the lens that is in that thread but wanted to hear from people that may have already been down this road...

300mm 2.8 & 420mm 3.92 w/ 1.4tc

or

200mm 1.8 & 280mm 2.52 w/ 1.4tc & 400mm 3.6 w/ 2.0tc

I dont think I am going to miss the 20mm but I will be looking at my past work to see. I think the speed is more critical now that I am covering the older boys and their games being late afternoon/ evening when lite is scarce.

Thanks in advance,
Robert

Do yourself a favor and get the 300mm f/4. As long as the games are not under the lights you'll be OK.

After a season with the 300mm f/4 you can make a more informed decision if you want to get 300mm 2.8 / 400mm 2.8

I have a 70-200 f/2.8 and with the 1.4tc my images are really grainy (noisy). I'd like to bring the iso down a bit and get more keepers.

I dont think I will shoot at 400mm much... maybe during day games but it's nice to know I have that option.

Edit: I think I'm sold on the 300 2.8 so I dont need a push on that one, I'm just looking at the cost vs. options. I can get this 200 1.8 and for the same price of a 300 2.8 and have a faster option at the cost of 20mm.

duckiller01 wrote in post #9669075
I have a 70-200 f/2.8 and with the 1.4tc my images are really grainy (noisy). I'd like to bring the iso down a bit and get more keepers.

I dont think I will shoot at 400mm much... maybe during day games but it's nice to know I have that option.

Edit: I think I'm sold on the 300 2.8 so I dont need a push on that one, I'm just looking at the cost vs. options. I can get this 200 1.8 and for the same price of a 300 2.8 and have a faster option at the cost of 20mm.

IMHO, I wouldn't get a lens that would be very hard to maintain or repair, eg 200mm 1.8.

Re: 300mm, rent the f/4 and I think you will see the images are of a higher quality than 70-200mm plus 1.4.

300 or 400.... especially for youth baseball. They are smaller subjects and more reach is better.

I use the 400 now as my main lens for youth sports.

Here are some shots of t-ball with 400

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=768361

duckiller01 wrote in post #9669075
...Edit: I think I'm sold on the 300 2.8 so I dont need a push on that one...

If you sold on the 300mm 2.8, do yourself a favor and buy new. You'll have the warranty that will cover any adjustments you may need to your gear, and you'll have peace of mind that the equipment was not absused or exposed to harsh elements.

One of the problems areas of super tele's is the rotating collar of the lenes. This repair is approx, $300 plus and should probably be counted in to the budget for any used Super Tele lens purchased.

I used the 300 2.8 for high school baseball the other day and I am going to use the 400 on thursday. I will let you know afterwards.

OK stop all of this and just go for the 400 2.8 If you can afford it you would not regret it

All great feedback guys, much appreciated. I'm going to take the collective advice and wait

I'll rent a 400 2.8 and see how much more or less I like it then the 300 2.8 and make the appropriate decision.

Keep the info coming though...

Robert,

While the 400 2.8 is an amazing lens, handling it is a whole different animal. Do you have a really good support set up?

Bryan

bps wrote in post #9669951
Robert,

While the 400 2.8 is an amazing lens, handling it is a whole different animal. Do you have a really good support set up?

Bryan

I dont. After making the post above I searched for past 400 2.8 sales and dont think I can afford it. Actually... if I were to buy NEW I could not afford either.

I have 4K in the "camera" account and think it's back to looking for a 300 2.8

I have been using the 300/f2.8 for the last 5 years to shoot youth baseball and have been very happy with it. Even with 1.4TC it is still a great lens.

Good luck on acquiring a 300/f.8!

Great shots Aaron.

Strnge wrote in post #9670617
Great shots Aaron.

Thanks Mike!!!

Enjoy the 300 f/2.8 It is a terrific lens. I didn't know what sharpness was until I purchased this lens. A whole different world awaits with the 300 or 400 at f/2.8