hawleyrw Loc: Dayton, OH

I actually responded in another forum: I had more visibility to Canon because I read National Geographic on a regular basis. Canon always has ads with photos at the very front of the magazine. I knew Nikon and Canon were both at the top end of what was out there. I simply chose Canon, no other reason. I’ve used both cameras several times, and personally I like the adjustment layout on the Canon a little bit more.

Barndog Loc: Tacoma

I shoot high school sports. You need a f2.8 lens. You can start with a 70-200, or a 80-200 G model, not the D version, I had that. The reason you need 2.8 is this, crappy, crappy lights. Whether you are in a stadium or gymnasium the lights are typically bad. You need 2.8 to get the fastest shutter you can with the lowest ISO possible to stop action. With a crop sensor the Nikon VR1 is a good option as the center of the lens is the sweetest spot the new VR II is awesome on full frame. Strongly suggest staying with Nikon. If you want longer reach you can add the Nikon TC14EIII and achieve 420mm f4. Not real useful for night games as no f4 is with the poor light in high school stadiums. A f4 is fine for daytime but you should stick to daytime games if you go f4. With a 70-200 you just have to learn the game better and be more disciplined in your shooting. You won’t cover the other side of the sidelines. I am lead photographer for a Athletic Commission, everyone has the 70-200 f2.8 in their arsenal. Also all stick to the same brand as the camera they own. Later you can add a 300 f2.8 or whatever you feel is necessary for the specific sports you shoot. If you do basketball or volleyball consider a 85mm f1.8 or 1.4. All of the photographers I know use that lens as primary for basketball and volleyball and have a 70-200 f2.8 on a second body. Good luck.

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

With the D7100 you will do just fine during the day. Night time under light or indoors you will struggle. Many of the venues I shoot at night require 12,800 ISO at some point in the evening. Even with a F 2.8 lens which is a must. As long as you stick to day games you will do well.

Sparky54 Loc: Central Pennsylvania

Thank you, It is high school soccer and I generally shoot from field area.

Sparky54 Loc: Central Pennsylvania

Hi, Have a mono-pod , Budget 1,500.00 or less

RolandDieter

Regarding the Nikon vs Canon never-ending issue: I had been shooting Contax for years with their wonderful Zeiss lenses. The color was gorgeous. I switched to get autofocus for sports, and tested the macros from Zeiss, Nikon and Canon shooting a McBeth color checker. The lighting was natural light with slight overcast: there was no variation in lighting As it was in the film days, I used Kodachrome 25, Fuji Velvia and Kodak Ektachrome. For each film I shot with all three camera/lens setups on the same roll, so there would not be any emulsion or processing variations. Nobody could tell the Canon from the Zeiss whereas the color cast in the Nikon shots were quite evident to all. The Nikons were warmer, nice for much portrait work, but much of the color contrast in the McBeth was missing. I went Canon for the color rendition. And yes, there was a difference in how these films did color, but the Zeiss and Canon were always identical to one another and the Nikon always strayed. For portraiture and people-oriented shots I might recommend Nikon ... for landscape and other shooting I would definitely recommend Canon.

mtbear

Having shot sports professionally for two decades I mostly agree with the 200-300mm range. A 600mm lens is difficult when tracking fast moving action, difficult to handle and heavy. If a person is asking this question they probably lack the skills to use it. My normal kit contains a 28-70mm & an 80-200mm both ƒ2.8 on an aps sensor. I made plenty of money, won awards and had my images used in print and other media.

Addressing the "mostly" part my 26-70 works very well for indoor sports like volleyball or basketball, especially when I needed to zone focus.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

For most sports I use an APS-C camera with a 70-200 2.8 and keep a 2x extender at hand. On your camera such a kit gives you an equivalent of 105-600 With best aperture = 105-300 at 2.8 and (with extender) 210-600 at 5.6. Auto focus will work all along the range. AF is why I use the 2.8 as the key lens.

Sparky54 Loc: Central Pennsylvania

Thank you for your comments, I HAVE the skill to use it ......I know that I need the speed of the f2.8, Im more interested in Brand, ( Nikon, Sigma or Tamron ) ???

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

[quote=jak86094]Take a look at the Tamron SP 70-200 mm f/2.8 DI VC G2. On your D7100 it will have 300mm reach, and the f/2.8 is good indoors and applies throughout the zoom range. It's quite sharp, has 3 types of vibration control settings, and is substantially less expensive than the Nikon version of this lens. I also seems to be well made. At least take a look or maybe even rent it and give it a try. Good luck with your search.[/quo

This lens that everyone is talking about. My question is how fast will it focus in low light gyms? That is where I have the most trouble shooting basketball and volleyball.

Sparky54 Loc: Central Pennsylvania

Thank you

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Sorry. I am a Canon shooter primarily because of their glass and AF systems. They are fast and accurate. I think some have mentioned the Tamron G lenses. They have been getting great press. The Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | S is also well reviewed.