Best low light lense for sports/action shots

03/21/2008 02:01:03 AM · #1

Hi,

I am new to photography but will be taking many shots at high school sporting events such as football, lacrosse, etc. Since these are all in the evening, they will generally be low light in most cases. Which Canon lens would be the best for this situation since it needs to be good at low light, but also needs to have a zoom function to get into the action of the game?

Dave

jan_vdw

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/21/2008 02:42:52 AM · #2

Hi Dave,

I'm yet to test my lens at schools, but I use my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM for arena shots at night. Works really well. It is quite pricey, but worth the money. I added a 1.4x converter on it for a bit of extra zoom.

Jan

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

03/21/2008 09:51:07 AM · #3

That definately is on our list to get, but a bit on the high end righ now since I just bought this camera. Is there anything you would recommend in the meantime, or is it best to wait and just get the EF 70-200mm once the funds are available?

Prof_Fate

03/21/2008 11:01:00 AM · #4

The lighting is low, the action fast - you need a lens that can work in the low light and still keep a decent shutter speed, and one that can focus fast. And if you're shooting outdoors it might rain, so weather sealing is a plus.

IS is worth it's weight in gold in some cases - like weddings. But for sports you need shutter speeds of 1/250 or better so IS won't help - so you can save a few bucks and get a non-IS version.

Sigma makes a 70-200 2.8 and it gets good reviews, but the Canon isn't that much more and will hold it's value better, is better built and worth the slightly higher cost.

Other popular sports lenses are the 300 2.8 and 400 2.8 - but you aren't gonna like the prices.

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

03/21/2008 11:04:30 AM · #5

for high school sports, you can most likely get really close to the action (right on the sidelines). For like $380.00 you could get the 100mm f2 from canon - should work just fine until you can afford an L zoom.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

03/21/2008 11:16:51 AM · #6

Ditto hopper, the 100/2 is a good choice, as are the 85/1.8 and the 50/1.4 If you need to go longer, the 135/2 is among the best lenses in the Canon lineup, but more expensive at $900. Given that you normally will be able to get pretty close to the action for indoor HS sports, perhaps the combination of 50/1.4 and 100/2?
BTW, there is an even less expensive 50mm option, the 50/1.8. It would probably work for you, but the 50/1.4 is optically better and has much better overall build... in the end well worth the added cost.

NVPhoto

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/21/2008 01:39:41 PM · #7

Really any of the canon f2.8 lenses are your best bet. Get whatever focal length you need, but the 2.8 is going to be what gets you your shot.

I have a rental company in which we carry Canon and Nikon lenses... the good stuff. Have a look and see what gets you the shots you need. The 85 1.2 is fast as hell, but using a prime can leave you a bit limited. We do have the 70-200 IS and non IS. We are offering 50% off 2 week rentals right now so you could do a side by side comparison for pretty cheap.

I think IS does make a difference in low light action shots. I have shot many concerts, some weddings and an Aikido seminar and thought it made a huge difference. But I didn't try them side by side, I just went for the IS version. Prof knows his technical stuff so I would be hard pressed to debate w/o further research.

Justin
//www.rentphotostuff.com

03/22/2008 02:39:47 PM · #8

Thanks for the info everyone, keep it coming.

Here in Florida, they keep everyone off the field and in the stands. Maybe I can get special permission form the school, so I'll look into that. Generally for Football, there is the track around the field, then the stands, so you are talking about 50-100 feet off the field to start.

Other sports of course I should be able to be closer, but those would be indoor and well lit.