Lens for the gym (Page 2): For the best image quality you want the fastest lens you can justify buying to give you the fastest shutter speed and lowest ISO for the lighting conditions.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

billnourse wrote:

With grandkids involved in numerous indoor sports, volleyball, basketball, wrestling etc. I find myself wanting a fast medium zoom. First thought is the Canon 24-70 F 2.8. Really pricey, but we are talking grandkids, plus I can see a lot of other uses for it.

Any thoughts? Anyone have a personal review?

Bill

For the best image quality you want the fastest lens you can justify buying to give you the fastest shutter speed and lowest ISO for the lighting conditions. If the lighting is very good and your camera handles higher ISOs without too much noise then an f/4 might work. Except for the price, a f/2.8 is a better option for just about any indoor sports work. Faster shutter, lower ISO then an f/4. How much IQ can you afford? What camera are you shooting with? As far as focal length, on a gym floor a 70-200 is the way I would go. What is your budget?

Stevewayne23 Loc: Sacramento, CA

the Sigma version of the 24-70 2.8 is about half the price of the Canon, so you might give that a whirl. It's what I have.

billnourse wrote:

With grandkids involved in numerous indoor sports, volleyball, basketball, wrestling etc. I find myself wanting a fast medium zoom. First thought is the Canon 24-70 F 2.8. Really pricey, but we are talking grandkids, plus I can see a lot of other uses for it.

Any thoughts? Anyone have a personal review?

Bill

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

GTinSoCal wrote:

WOW!
and mine only goes to 25,600!!!

:D

GT

Mine goes to 12,800 and expands to 25,600, but if the images are so noisy that you can't tell what they are, what's the point.

I am trying to find something that will allow well exposed images in low light at around 3,200.

Bill

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

GTinSoCal wrote:

WOW!
and mine only goes to 25,600!!!

:D

GT

Ugh! How can you even shoot with such an outdated piece of equipment? :D

I've been watching a set of Joel Sartore instructional DVDs, and he occasionally mentions how you can increase the ISO - like up to 6400!

ISO has come a long way.

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

If you are looking at lower cost lenses I have shot a lot of volleyball and some basketball using my 1.3 crop factor 1D Mark III and the 85mm f1.8 lens. This lens focuses very fast and is sharp. Is 110mm equivalent view on my camera. Also a great lens for portraits. Price was about $360.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

The 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 are close in price. I think the 70-200 will be of more use in a gym than the 24-70.

Or you could get the Sigma versions of both lenses for close to the price of one Canon.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

billnourse wrote:

With grandkids involved in numerous indoor sports, volleyball, basketball, wrestling etc. I find myself wanting a fast medium zoom. First thought is the Canon 24-70 F 2.8. Really pricey, but we are talking grandkids, plus I can see a lot of other uses for it.

Any thoughts? Anyone have a personal review?

Bill

I have a Nikon d-7100. I also shoot indoor basketball of my grandson. I bought a 50mm 1.8 for about 100.00. It works pretty well for close in shots.

(Download)

thelazya Loc: Wendell, MN

Although you didn't say, I will guess you are shooting with a cropped sensor. You have checked what zoom range works best for you, now all you need to do is figure out which 24-70 brand you want. Your best route may be to rent each and try them out. Sigma and Tamron have some great 24-70 lenses.

rbmcgarvey Loc: Philly, PA

I use a Canon 18-135mm, F3.5-5.6 zoom lens. Positioned at mid/half court, it's wide enough to get "full-court" shots and zooms close enough to get "foul-line" pics. Lighting is usually not a problem at indoor courts so flash is not necessary. Hope this helps as a matter of reference.

rbmcgarvey Loc: Philly, PA

Duplicate message deleted.

Goldenrams

Canon 7D Mark II or 5D Mark III wil do it. They are pricey and if you don't shoot high ISO frequently may not be worth the cost.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

For basketball in poorly lit gyms, I use a 50/1.4 and a 85/1.4 the most. I also use a 180/2.8 and, sometimes, a 70-200/2.8. My preference are the first two. I do not use flash, unless I can get them pre-installed and up very high. It's the way I work, it may or maynot be good for you. My gear is Nikon full frame. Best of luck.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

billnourse wrote:

With grandkids involved in numerous indoor sports, volleyball, basketball, wrestling etc. I find myself wanting a fast medium zoom. First thought is the Canon 24-70 F 2.8. Really pricey, but we are talking grandkids, plus I can see a lot of other uses for it.

Any thoughts? Anyone have a personal review?

Bill

I would consider something a bit longer, like a 70-200/2.8, as that will give you more reach for getting closer to the action.

bjprovo Loc: Northeast CT

I know you asked about a zoom but I would question what time of day you will be shooting. Gyms typically have large windows higher up that help tremendously during daylight, but many of these gyms also have abysmal lighting when used in the evenings. I found that I prefer to get down to floor level and use either an 85mm or 50mm 1.8 lens. I feel it gives me better options to freeze the action.

billnourse wrote:

With grandkids involved in numerous indoor sports, volleyball, basketball, wrestling etc. I find myself wanting a fast medium zoom. First thought is the Canon 24-70 F 2.8. Really pricey, but we are talking grandkids, plus I can see a lot of other uses for it.

Any thoughts? Anyone have a personal review?

Bill

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

I shot two basketball games last month with my 70-200 f2.8. Next time I will definately use the 70-200. If you are on the floor of the gym and can move around the 24-70 is great. From the bleachers the 70-200 might be a little better. I was working from the floor. Mostly behind the baskets. The 70-200 was too much lens for that.
Jack