Sports lenses - DPChallenge Forums

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

10/12/2005 10:47:04 PM · #1

Ok -- so I work with a lot of teenagers and they are in a lot of sports/activities.

I have two very good lenses to start with:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

If you were going to add a third lens to this mix and were going to be shooting a lot of different sports (football, baseball, soccer, rock climbing, cross country, basketball, volleyball, etc.) what criteria do you look at? What lenses would you recommend.

Consider these three price ranges:
No limit
Under $10,000
Under $5000

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

10/12/2005 10:58:30 PM · #2

The 300mm f/2.8L.

dswebb

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/12/2005 11:08:23 PM · #3

For indoor basketball pics, either the 85mm f1.8, or the 85mm f1.2 L. One's a little more pricey than the other, but your price limits seem to be big enough to handle it... :-)

Doug

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/12/2005 11:08:44 PM · #4

The 300mm 2.8L would be ideal for night games and such, but with the different sports you have listed and the budget given, why not also go with the 100-400mm for times when you need some variable focal lengths (and when the lighting is sufficient)? Both of those combined would put you just over your $5,000 mark.

10/12/2005 11:09:07 PM · #5

canon 400mm 2.8f on a second camera.

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

10/12/2005 11:22:36 PM · #6

Originally posted by swinging_johnson_v1:

canon 400mm 2.8f on a second camera.

++!

10/12/2005 11:30:23 PM · #7

Well it kinda depends on what I'm getting for the money, lol. The lens has to be worth the money to me.

The reason I picked those ranges is that if it's a great lens and under $5000 I can definitely start saving toward it. If it's between $5001 and $9999 then it better shoot amazing pictures and make me coffee in the morning but I'll consider it. If it's over $10,000 it's probably not happening, but I'd still like to know its out there in case I find one lying around after a football game and no one claims it. ;)

Originally posted by dswebb:

For indoor basketball pics, either the 85mm f1.8, or the 85mm f1.2 L. One's a little more pricey than the other, but your price limits seem to be big enough to handle it... :-)

Doug

10/12/2005 11:33:07 PM · #8

You can rent a lens pretty inexpensively on a day rate to find out what lens best suits your needs.

This is what I do, I don't have an extra $6000 just lying around for a very nice lens like the 400mm 2.8f L from Canon.

Good luck.

10/12/2005 11:38:49 PM · #9

Yeah I shoulda clarified the price thing, heh. See my post above. I don't have any budget at the moment I just spent it all on my 20D and those two lenses. But I'm looking forward to what's next and trying to figure out where in the price continuum some of these lenses fall.

I had some big ticket purchases this year, but next year I should have some room for a couple lenses.

And no I'm not rich, just refinanced the house, got a bonus at work and am single with no kids. The no kids part helps a lot.

Why buy the cow, when you can borrow it, play with it, and return it before feeding time? (God bless nieces, nephews, and the kids at youth group).

10/12/2005 11:39:59 PM · #10

Where do you rent lenses and about how much does it cost? I've heard about that in passing, but never done it.

Originally posted by swinging_johnson_v1:

Brent_Ward

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

10/13/2005 12:10:18 AM · #11

I rent mine from calumet photo. Try renting the 200 1.8 sometime!! It's fantastic!

10/13/2005 12:14:35 AM · #12

I'm assuming these are local places? Anyone have any suggestions for the Seattle area?

10/13/2005 12:18:29 AM · #13

Originally posted by ttreit:

I'm assuming these are local places? Anyone have any suggestions for the Seattle area?

Call around. Shop.

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

10/13/2005 12:19:56 AM · #14

Easier to ask here usually. ;)

coolhar

10/13/2005 02:02:09 AM · #15

If you can afford it I think this is the ultimate sports action lens -
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM

That's for outdoors sports. Indoors I use the 85mm f1.8.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

10/13/2005 07:00:13 AM · #16

I notice they have a "DG" version now? Anyone have any more thoughts on that Sigma lens?

hankk

Canon EOS-5D

10/13/2005 08:26:56 AM · #17

With a $10K budget, consider upgrading to a 1D MIIn. The extra focusing points make a difference (according to a Canon Rep, and some of the pro's who presented at the Canon expo in NYC).

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM Lens

10/13/2005 09:39:24 AM · #18

Originally posted by coolhar:

If you can afford it I think this is the ultimate sports action lens -
Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM

The photographer that shoots sports for the local paper here uses one of these and pretty much loves it. Aside from being big and heavy that is. He still hand holds it tho and his shots are great.

Message edited by author 2005-10-13 09:39:56.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

10/13/2005 09:46:13 AM · #19

I'd agree with the 300/2.8 as an ideal addition. Add a Canon 1.4x II TC and you've got a 300/2.8 and a 420/4. The 300/2.8 is sharp enough to handle the 1.4x TC very well, even the 2.0x TC is usable but of course you're down to f/5.6.
Renting the 300/2.8 would be a great way to see what it can do for you. Check out who rents in your area. Calumet will rent and ship, but of course you wind up paying shipping and losing days on the rental, so it's not a sweet deal.

Brent_Ward

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

10/13/2005 12:55:39 PM · #20

Originally posted by hankk:

With a $10K budget, consider upgrading to a 1D MIIn. The extra focusing points make a difference (according to a Canon Rep, and some of the pro's who presented at the Canon expo in NYC).

If you are serious about sports, a 1 series camera is a must ( or at least a BIG help).