Torn between 2 lenses: I am going to a KU basketball game and can't decide which lens to use. I will be sitting behind the home team 23 rows back. My choices are my 24-70 f/2.8 lens or...

adikeo13 Loc: Kansas

I am going to a KU basketball game and can't decide which lens to use. I will be sitting behind the home team 23 rows back. My choices are my 24-70 f/2.8 lens or my 85mm f/1.8 lens. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Take the light sucker.

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

If those were the only two choices, I would go with the same 24-70. Gives you some option for wider coverage on occasion. If I were using my equipment, I would go with my 24-105 f/4 on my Canon 6D. There is plenty of light at the basketball games I have been to so I don't think you need the light gathering power of the f/1.8

RobertAltman Loc: Minneapolis

Personally, I'd go with the 85 prime. My experience of sports photography was that it was more about following the action and not really having time to zoom and frame the shots. The 85mm is there longer lens, and I'm guessing that will also be helpful.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

RobertAltman wrote:

Personally, I'd go with the 85 prime. My experience of sports photography was that it was more about following the action and not really having time to zoom and frame the shots. The 85mm is there longer lens, and I'm guessing that will also be helpful.

If you would shoot the stadium/crowd more,go with the 24-70.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

To be safe,I would take both. You can change lenses anytime, there are lots of timeouts in basketball. It will become clear which one you should stay with. Good luck.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

adikeo13 wrote:

...my 85mm f/1.8 lens.

85mm f/1.8 lens

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

adikeo13 wrote:

I am going to a KU basketball game and can't decide which lens to use. I will be sitting behind the home team 23 rows back. My choices are my 24-70 f/2.8 lens or my 85mm f/1.8 lens. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

I would take the 24-70 far more versatile than the 85mm. You can crop a bit if needed to get the same image. You want to get a wider shot you are totally screwed yes the 85 is slightly longer.
Too bad you are so limited with those 2 choices as the 24-105 is much more versatile and you can actually get some tighter shots along with the wider shots for a one lens kit.

anotherview Loc: California

Take the zoom lens, for its versatility.

If shooting from that far back, then to capture action on the floor, you'd need a zoom lens with more reach.

So consider renting a zoom lens like a 70-200mm.

adikeo13 wrote:

I am going to a KU basketball game and can't decide which lens to use. I will be sitting behind the home team 23 rows back. My choices are my 24-70 f/2.8 lens or my 85mm f/1.8 lens. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

At that distance you will need length if you are interested in shooting game action, which I assume you are... 85 for sure. If you can rent a 70-200 2.8 that would be the better option.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

adikeo13 wrote:

I am going to a KU basketball game and can't decide which lens to use. I will be sitting behind the home team 23 rows back. My choices are my 24-70 f/2.8 lens or my 85mm f/1.8 lens. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

Long and fast = 85 !

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

adikeo13 wrote:

I am going to a KU basketball game and can't decide which lens to use. I will be sitting behind the home team 23 rows back. My choices are my 24-70 f/2.8 lens or my 85mm f/1.8 lens. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

Obviously 23 rows back puts your lenses out of their element. You will be able to get good shots of the crowd but you are way too far away to capture the action on the floor. If the crowd shots are your objective then the 24-70 will give you more versatility.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Depends upon what camera you're using them on.

If it's a full frame, then definitely the 85mm... or a longer lens if you have it.

If it's an APS-C, then the 24-70mm would be more useful, but still relatively "short". So I'd take both.

You'll especially need as much telephoto reach as you can can get "sitting 23 rows back". I've used shorter focal lengths for basketball at times, but am right down by the court.

Regardless of lighting conditions and how high usable ISO you have with your particular camera, larger aperture lenses also offer means of isolating competitors against busy background.

Focusing speed and ability to follow moving subjects is another consideration... that depends upon both the camera and lens.

Impressionist

Big jacket pocket or spouse with large purse and take both. Lens change ability is a major reason why we have these cameras.

ddonlewis

Every photographer has his preference. I can tell you that when you're sitting in row 23 you will be looking at nearly 1/4 to 1/2 the court. Not nearly enough. The recommendation on renting a 70-200 was a good one. I used an 85mm F1.8 at a Tae Kwondo tournament and I was in row 3. I found it wasn't nearly long enough, and the fixed focal length of 85mm was really confining because I obviously couldn't zoom either in or out. After a few shots I quickly switched to a zoom. My motto is that the light won't help you if you can't get the shot/photo. That's my opinion, but if you only have those 2 lenses I would take both to see what works best for you.