Pokey Loc: Virginia

I need some opinions on a Canon 85 mm f 1.8 use lens for indoor rec basketball. The fastest lens I have now is a kit lens that is f3.5- 5.6. The 85 mm is inexpensive and from what I've read, seems to be fast enough for what I need. All I really plan on is taking photos of my grandson's basketball games and at most print some 8×10 pics. Is the auto focus, etc pretty good? I have a Canon 60d at present but plan on updating it in a couple of years. Thanks

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

It would be fine if the action is right in front of you, but not enough for action down court. I would look for a zoom up to 300mm. Canon EF 75 to 300 mm would fit the purpose. Also, if you upgrade to full frame an EF lens will work just fine.

Haydon

The EF 85 1.8 shines around F2.2 for sharpness. Wide open it's a little soft. You might have some unusual exposures since the 60D doesn't have anti-flicker caused by the lighting.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

????

The 85 is OK the 60D is the problem

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

I assume the 85 f1.8 is a FF lens. The 60D is an older crop sensor camera.
Try it out. If the photos are not to your satisfaction, then, I agree with imagemeister, the problem is your camera.
Upgrade to a newer FF sensor camera. Depending on how old your grandchild is and how many more years of playing you expect, it may not be a bad idea to upgrade sooner.
Stephen

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

As others noted, the lens it fine for your purpose, but maybe a little short. See if you can find a used 135L or 200 f/2.8L. These primes give longer options to the 85mm idea. Consider your position relative to the action and see if more focal length is a better idea, or maybe 85mm was right in the original plan with the 60D crop factor.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I use an RF 85mm f/1.2 L on, previously, an EOS R and now on an R5. I am on the floor, moving around the court so the length is fine for me. From the stands I would find it rather limiting. The 1.8, just like my 1.2, is not stabilized so you will need to shoot at a fairly high shutter speed as well as a high ISO since lighting is often less then optimal in a gym. That is going to cause problems for your 60D. I would expect noise to be quite noticeable, especially if you crop. If the 60D is your only option, and I know you want photos of your grandchild, then see if you can shoot from floor level and if you can use a monopod to improve shutter speed options. With a bit of practice a monopod, or a string with a small beanbag on the end (anything hard could damage the floor) is quite usable even for action shots.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The Canon 100 f2 is another slightly longer option for just slightly more $$.

Pokey Loc: Virginia

Thanks, everyone. I plan on updating to either a 90d or a entry level mirror in 1-2 years. I'm trying to be a little frugal with the cash . I plan on retiring in 2 years so I don't want to spend a ton of money. If I do, I'm afraid I'll be working for the next 10 years. Which do you think would be the better choice?

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

If your sitting court side, I think the 85 is the way to go. I also use a a 135 f2.0 if I'm farther up in the cheap seats.
I have personally found that trying to 'fill the frame" in fast moving action results in a lot of missed shots & partial captures. I'm finding better success in allowing a little space & cropping to suit.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

In two years there will be a wealth of options, new mirrorless and both used mirrorless and DSLRs. When you get within 3ish months of an actual purchase will be the time to get more serious in considering the actual options.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

You are correct that for most public school gyms, light is a factor and high ISOs are the order of the day. If you’re shooting basketball, you really need 1/500 (1/250 is marginal for action shots), so a monopod won’t help except to take the strain off your arms as the shutter speed is fast enough to prevent most blur from camera shake. You’re going to find, depending on how well lighted the gym is, you may be shooting at ISOs of 6400 and above, and as noted the 60D is going to be a bit noisy at those ISOs. And also as previously noted, it doesn’t have anti flicker which can cause successive frames to have different exposure due to the flicker of the lights. The answer to both issues is a modern FF body.

As far as the lens goes, the 85 f1.8 is a bargain. Very sharp and a good portrait lens, but maybe a bit short for basket ball unless you’re near the sidelines on the end where the shooting is taking place. As ChgCanon said, the 135 f2L, though more expensive, is a legendary lens in the Canon Line up. I often use mine and keep a 1.4x canon extender (if I need ~200mm) in my pocket for indoor sports instead of my much heavier 70-200 f2.8L (and even with the extender the combination is sharper than the 70-200 at 200mm).

So you started the thread asking about the $400 85 f1.8, and now in classic UHH fashion, we’re trying to spend a lot more of your money. My only excuse is this: indoor sports at the HS and Jr high level is a corner case that demands the most from your equipment in terms of high ISO/low noise and that implies full frame and the fastest lens you can afford if you want first rate images. Sorry. A Used Canon RP might be a consideration for a good low cost MILC transition to FF - they can be had in the $800 range.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

An 80D with 100 f2 may be a sweet spot for you on a tight budget.
.

Burkley Loc: Park City

Having taken thousands of pictures of my boys playing ball, high school and rec, you will get some good pictures at 85 mm. Back then, I used an older Nikon lens, 80-200 mm f2.8. No vibration control but sharp. You will miss the longer reach that I had, but you will still get some very good shots along the baseline.

tgreenhaw

Since you are accustomed to Canon, see if you can get a gently used Rp and 24-240 zoom. Add the RF 16mm f 2.8 and you have a great lightweight quality setup for a reasonable cost.