Basketball lens

Quick question - what would suit me better for basketball? I'm going to try to make it to my school's basketball game tomorrow night because it's at a college court so I'm hoping the lighting will be good. I'm going to try to get under the hoop so I'm wondering if 70mm is even too long or if 55mm is too short? I will bring both lenses, just trying to get an idea.

Strictly answering your technical question, you will want both lenses but may be frustrated with where the gap is.

I use a 24-70 on a 1.3X sensor camera to shoot from under the basket and the length is right. Your 17-55 will be similar on your 1.6X camera.

I use a 70-200 on the 1.3X camera (a lot more, probably 80% of the time) from anywhere along the baseline but especially near the corners. You will like the 200mm end on 1.6X for shooting the guards when they are on defense but you will sometimes find 70mm to be too long on a drive under the basket on your end.

Take both lenses. Sit at the corner of the baseline and sideline and shoot with the 70-200. Under the basket is good for 24-70 range. Depending on the light, you most likely will have to shoot at ISO 1600, f/2.8 and 1/400 sec shutter speed. Anything less will result in below average images due to under exposure of motion blur (slow shutter speed).

I shoot almost exclusively with the 70-200 f/2.8. But I do have the advantage of shooting with strobes.

Example: Bellaire vs Fort Bend Bush

Note: If possible, shoot RAW. It will be a big help when you try to correct the light balance due to the lights cycling.

Good luck.
Mike

I mostly use an 85 1.8 and 50 1.8 (yes the 50 is awful slow at AF but I am use to it). On a 1.6x camera the 85 is a little too tight under the basket but can work if you the the framing perfect. The 50 gives more room under the basket but too short for me at the 3-point line. Don't be afraid to change lenses during the game... I change a TON depending on what I want at the given time or the vibe the players are giving.

I shoot with a 1.6 crop with a 70-200 in the corners. Lots of opportunity for great shots. Under the basket (if their is room, a body or basketball to the head is nasty) I use the 17-55 with some success.

Cole_Schmitt wrote in post #11487708
Quick question - what would suit me better for basketball? I'm going to try to make it to my school's basketball game tomorrow night because it's at a college court so I'm hoping the lighting will be good. I'm going to try to get under the hoop so I'm wondering if 70mm is even too long or if 55mm is too short? I will bring both lenses, just trying to get an idea.

I use a 85mm 1.8, at f/2.0....looking at your signature, if you have the Xti listed, it maxes out at iso 1600, which is going to be very difficult to get decent pictures with the f/2.8 lens listed....you need your shutter to be min 1/400....so with the gear lists, iso 1600 at f/2.8.....no way your going to get a shutter speed with ambient light. If you could get your hands on a 85mm...that would work.

Edit: I take the above back, I just looked at your Flickr shots, very good with the 70-200 with an xti....you must have better lite gyms then I shoot, I would go with the 70-200 wide open....good luck and nice pictures!!!