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07/03/2006 01:29:00 PM · #1 |
I'm an amateur photographer with a Canon Rebel XT. (Hey - I'm an amateur!)
I'd like some expert advice on what kind of lens to upgrade to. I shoot basketball games for a local university publication and I enjoy nature photography. I'm interested in increasing my zoom and in lenses that would help me take better basketball pics.
I'd appreciate any advice you guys can give me! Thanks,
Jenbumpkin |
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07/03/2006 01:30:34 PM · #2 |
I recommend the Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS. It's a great lens but a bit expensive.
June
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07/03/2006 02:04:37 PM · #3 |
| Agreed 70-200l 2.8 is a very good choice I'm looking at it right now but want more range. without loosing the 2.8 fixed. Anybody got any ideas? thanks |
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07/03/2006 02:07:04 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by coronamv:
Agreed 70-200l 2.8 is a very good choice I'm looking at it right now but want more range. without loosing the 2.8 fixed. Anybody got any ideas? thanks |
Sigma 120-300 ?
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07/03/2006 04:15:41 PM · #5 |
DO NOT buy a cheap telephoto. If you want one that reaches 200 or 300+, you need to spend. I bought the sigma 70-300 APO macro for around $200. Sold it about 2 months later. It is a nice lens as long as you have bright light and a tripod and the subject isn't moving. Don't get me wrong, you can get wonderful shots w/ any lens in the right situation. A good lens for basketball to me would be a 200 or 300mm lens w/ a fast aperature such as 2.8 or so. Lens w/ those kinds of specs are in teh $700 - $3000 range. thats what you should be looking to spend. Remember that when you bought your DSLR you were buying into a lens system more than a camera. you will upgrade your camera body probably in teh next few years. Good lenses will stay w/ you forever.
Look at renting. A 300mm f/2.8L which is thousands to buy can be rented for $20/day or $90/week. I would do that and find what you want for what you need and start saving. Just don't break the rental. |
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07/03/2006 04:25:05 PM · #6 |
I shoot a lot of basketball, and most of the gyms I work in are not very well lit. I'm finding that my 50mm f/1.4 is a good lens for the job, and the 85 f/1.8 would problaby be even better overall. The prime lens keeps me from being able to work both ends of the court, but the quality of the photos is good.
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07/03/2006 06:03:44 PM · #7 |
Canon 300mm 2.8IS
Canon 85mm 1.2
Canon 200mm 1.8
Would all work perfect for what you are trying to do! I personally love to use the 85mm/1.2 for sports! If I can be close to the subject.
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07/03/2006 06:04:45 PM · #8 |
Sigma 70-200 2.8
canon 70-200 2.8
canon 70-200 2.8 IS
or perhaps you can find a used tamron 70-210 2.8 ( i did and they're usually under $500).
A possibility is the canon 70-200 f4, but that one stop of light can make a difference.
to get more lenth a 1.4x teleconverter works well on a 2.8 lens - you lose 1 stop of light so it becomes a 100-280 f4.
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07/03/2006 08:46:23 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Chiqui:
I recommend the Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS. It's a great lens but a bit expensive.
June |
I shoot basketball quite a bit. I'm going to second or third of ninth this lens or whatever order I am in. Although, I personally shoot with the Sigma equivalent, which is a lot cheaper, and for me, just as good. I borrowed the Canon, and found it identical to my Sigma.
In my opinion, you don't need more than 200 in basketball. If you're sitting in the bleachers, you will. If however, you shoot for the university, chances are you can get right up to the sidelines and behind the basket. I'd say 80% of basketball photos are taken from behind the basket, or on the sidelines near the basket. Basketball is probably the BEST popular North American sport for photographers, as it's played in a small area, and the action is pretty predictable if you know the teams. Chances are you do know the team, and can probably ask the coach for his plays. After a few games you'll get a feel for the plays about to occur, and will know what to watch for.
Games like football, baseball, soccer and hockey are harder to photograph, if it's not the HUGE playing area of the former, it's the problem with expsure due to the ice in the latter.
Definately go for an f2.8.
And don't worry about your camera, I (and many others) consider it to be a more popular "prosumer" body. I shoot with one, and though you'd definately benefit from a better body in the future, the rebel is a great spare body. (At basketball games I usually use my 5D with the f2.8 and have my rebel in my bag with a wideangle)
-Hideo |
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07/03/2006 08:48:31 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by terje:
Canon 300mm 2.8IS
Canon 85mm 1.2
Canon 200mm 1.8
Would all work perfect for what you are trying to do! I personally love to use the 85mm/1.2 for sports! If I can be close to the subject. |
Trying to give her a heart attack I see :-P |
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07/03/2006 08:49:30 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by kyebosh:
Originally posted by terje:
Canon 300mm 2.8IS
Canon 85mm 1.2
Canon 200mm 1.8
Would all work perfect for what you are trying to do! I personally love to use the 85mm/1.2 for sports! If I can be close to the subject. |
Trying to give her a heart attack I see :-P |
The Sigma 70-200 2.8 looks downright cheap now!
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07/03/2006 08:52:14 PM · #12 |
Fast lens will let you shoot pretty fast with a teleconvertor if you ever need to.
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07/03/2006 08:54:45 PM · #13 |
| Thanks for the info want Canon L series glass and zoom. Prime lens are nice but cost too much and are hard to hike long distances with. thanks again |
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07/03/2006 08:56:11 PM · #14 |
Which one is more important-- Basketball or Nature? One lens isnt gonna be the "sweetspot" for both--
I agree with John, I think the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 is about perfect for Basketball--
For nature you will be dissapointed w/a 200zoom lens it isnt really long enuf, that 300 zoom you got now should suffice for nature..
EDIT-- the 85 can be had for about 350.00, which I think is a great price for that glass.. But I'm no expert as you requested in the thread.. :)
Message edited by author 2006-07-03 20:59:04.
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07/03/2006 09:00:00 PM · #15 |
I've done a bit of basketball photography and there is no need at all for a telephoto lens - all you need is something really fast!
Know your sport, work out the shots you want and wait for the players to come to you. |
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07/03/2006 09:02:05 PM · #16 |
Try walking golf courses for a free 85 F/1.8 you might get lucky..
PS.. You have to be a forum junky to get that reference.. :)
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