Low Light Lens Envy (Page 2): My Canon 5D MK III with my 70-200 f/2.8L IS II (oh man! quickly becoming my goto portrait lens) handles night sports no problem. At 3200 ISO I don't need...

arloc1959

My Canon 5D MK III with my 70-200 f/2.8L IS II (oh man! quickly becoming my goto portrait lens) handles night sports no problem. At 3200 ISO I don't need to worry about noise. Even at 6400 images are very acceptable. Just ordered the 24-70 2.8L II. Yea baby!

perpoto

the superb combination....

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

arloc1959 wrote:

My Canon 5D MK III with my 70-200 f/2.8L IS II (oh man! quickly becoming my goto portrait lens) handles night sports no problem. At 3200 ISO I don't need to worry about noise. Even at 6400 images are very acceptable. Just ordered the 24-70 2.8L II. Yea baby!

That looks like a handful. I wonder if it's just a coincidence that both Canon and Nikon make top-quality lenses with the same specs.

Mashubi1 Loc: Salem, Oregon

I purchased a Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 about the time the tsunami hit Japan. I really wanted to purchase a Sigma 70-200 2.8 for my Pentax which meant I needed to order it as they are not on the shelves of photography shops in my area. Because of the tsunami and not able to receive a Sigma in time for a shoot I ordered a Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 from Amazon and have been very pleased with the choice I made. The Tamron is lighter in weight, probably not built as tough as the Sigma but the results with the Tamron are impressive. I shoot my granddaughters ballet and modern dance performance every year in a dark theater with only stage lights with no flash and have had excellent results with this lens. Good luck with your selection. BTW the Tamron is a couple of hundred dollars less than the Sigma.

Mashubi1 Loc: Salem, Oregon

Here are a few websites on the Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 lens

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-200mm-Macro-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0012GDOQS

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/tamron_70-200_2p8_c16

http://scottkelby.com/2010/my-shoot-with-the-tamron-70-200mm-f2-8/

WildBill Loc: South West Florida

hamtrack wrote:

My son purchased a Tamron low light 50-200 lens recently and it produced excellent sharp photos of his son playing football in a night game. I wonder what others have experienced with such lens capability and might share the information.

My camera is the Rebel XTi and I max out at ISO 1600. Taking indoor photos in poor light was impossible with the kit lens so I purchased the Canon 85mm f 1.8. I cannot say enough about this lens. It is a prime lens so cost is within reach for most (370.00) and image quality is staggering often compared to L quality glass. Yes it is a prime so you cannot zoom in or out, but for indoor sports (basketball, volleyball, roller derby, etc.) it is incredible. Best choice unless you have the 1200.00 to get an L lens.

I know you wanted comparison to that tamron lens and this does not reach out to 200mm but the price is cheaper for the canon lens and image quality is far far superior to the tamron.

loperR Loc: Medina ,Ohio

I've JUST PURCHASE THE 85MM F 1.8 ALSO, LOOKING FORWARD TO USE IT ON GRANDKIDS.

WildBill Loc: South West Florida

loperR wrote:

I've JUST PURCHASE THE 85MM F 1.8 ALSO, LOOKING FORWARD TO USE IT ON GRANDKIDS.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Mashubi1 wrote:

Here are a few websites on the Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 lens

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-200mm-Macro-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0012GDOQS

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/tamron_70-200_2p8_c16

http://scottkelby.com/2010/my-shoot-with-the-tamron-70-200mm-f2-8/

About your avatar - you look too happy. ;)

tusketwedge Loc: Nova Scotia Canada

hamtrack wrote:

My son purchased a Tamron low light 50-200 lens recently and it produced excellent sharp photos of his son playing football in a night game. I wonder what others have experienced with such lens capability and might share the information.

for nikon user the sigma is cheaper and date quite close to the nikon. But if you want the best stick with nikon. Tamron is lighter and less weight because it doesn't have V R but for the money stii a good lens

tusketwedge Loc: Nova Scotia Canada

hamtrack wrote:

My son purchased a Tamron low light 50-200 lens recently and it produced excellent sharp photos of his son playing football in a night game. I wonder what others have experienced with such lens capability and might share the information.

for nikon user the sigma is cheaper and stats quite close to the nikon. But if you want the best stick with nikon. Tamron is lighter and less weight because it doesn't have V R but for the money stii a good lens

MtnMan Loc: ID

hamtrack wrote:

My son purchased a Tamron low light 50-200 lens recently and it produced excellent sharp photos of his son playing football in a night game. I wonder what others have experienced with such lens capability and might share the information.

Might do as well or better with a newer camera. The sensors are improving every two-year generation. The new Nikon D600 appears fabulous.

jsutter Loc: Silver Spring, MD

I wonder if anyone has tried using a fresnel lens concentrator kit for external flash to help with poorly lit night subjects. Between hot shoe automation and a resonant scene program it seems like there's some chance of comming up with a rig that will add a stop or two over a modest zoom range.

I use one in the shade and overcast during the day to get better shots of wildlife at distance. Of course for sports, even if worked, there'd be a concern about dazzeling or distracting players - especially at the decisive moment.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

jsutter wrote:

I wonder if anyone has tried using a fresnel lens concentrator kit for external flash to help with poorly lit night subjects.

Not personally, but here is a review:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/better_beamer.shtml

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/427602-REG/Visual_Echoes_FX3_FX3_Better_Beamer_for.html

hamtrack Loc: Omaha NE

Great information and thanks to all.

GoofyNewfie wrote:

jsutter wrote:

I wonder if anyone has tried using a fresnel lens concentrator kit for external flash to help with poorly lit night subjects.

Not personally, but here is a review:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/better_beamer.shtml

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/427602-REG/Visual_Echoes_FX3_FX3_Better_Beamer_for.html