volley ball lens: I shoot a 7D with a Canon 70-200 2.8 L lens. Last night in shooting my grand-daughter's game I noticed I was almost always in 70mm, or close to it, most of the time.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

I shoot a 7D with a Canon 70-200 2.8 L lens. Last night in shooting my grand-daughter's game I noticed I was almost always in 70mm, or close to it, most of the time. Does anyone have a recommendation for a lens I can use that may not be as heavy. Thanks for any ideas you may have. Mike

Toby

olcoach wrote:

I shoot a 7D with a Canon 70-200 2.8 L lens. Last night in shooting my grand-daughter's game I noticed I was almost always in 70mm, or close to it, most of the time. Does anyone have a recommendation for a lens I can use that may not be as heavy. Thanks for any ideas you may have. Mike

I use a 24-70 f2.8. I am on the floor next to the court.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Toby wrote:

I use a 24-70 f2.8. I am on the floor next to the court.

I do the same.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

Thanks guys. I just ordered a 24-70. Can't wait to use it.

dasloaf

24-70 works awesome.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

I shot volleyball last week and used my d800 with 70-200mm lens. Used it all all focal lenghts. I'll post a photo or two tomorrow.

I sat about 8 feet from the sideline.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

I saw your volley ball shots and they are super. Do you use any support for your lens?

treadwl Loc: South Florida

olcoach wrote:

I saw your volley ball shots and they are super. Do you use any support for your lens?

Absolutely----I use my left hand for support! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Sorry. I'm just in one of those moods. All these shot were hand held. Since I'm sitting on the floor and the game is fast moving I find that hand held is the only way I can move fast enough.

By the way, I did have a problem shooting. Since most of these were shot vertical I found that the little finger of my left hand kept rubbing against the f-stop adjustment ring on the lens and would sometimes move the ring from the red number which prevented the camera from firing. I solved the problem by putting a piece of electrical black tape on the ring to kept it from moving by accident.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

olcoach wrote:

I shoot a 7D with a Canon 70-200 2.8 L lens. Last night in shooting my grand-daughter's game I noticed I was almost always in 70mm, or close to it, most of the time. Does anyone have a recommendation for a lens I can use that may not be as heavy. Thanks for any ideas you may have. Mike

I just shot a couple of volleyball games last night.
On my Nikon D200 and D2xs, which only go to ISO 3200, I had my 17-55 2.8 wide open, and my 35mm 1.8 at f2.
I use a monopod on the D2xs with the (very heavy) zoom.
And had the D200 w/35 on a clone of a Black Rapid strap.

You've got a great sports lens.
I've rented the Nikon equivalent a couple of times for High School football under the lights.

My suggestion is to get a monopod.
It's cheaper than even the cheapest fast lens.

And unless you're going to get a 50mm or 85mm prime, to get the fast glass you need for indoor sports, it's going to BE heavy.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

olcoach wrote:

I shoot a 7D with a Canon 70-200 2.8 L lens. Last night in shooting my grand-daughter's game I noticed I was almost always in 70mm, or close to it, most of the time. Does anyone have a recommendation for a lens I can use that may not be as heavy. Thanks for any ideas you may have. Mike

Coach, if you are always at 70, why don't you try an 85 1.8, so you can lower the ISO and get some cleaner shots?
Isolating a player would look good also. Just saying
SS

olcoach Loc: Oregon

Thank you all for your great suggestions. I am back to using my Canon 70-200 and we're getting along well. Thanks again and happy shooting. Mike

vma Loc: Idaho

Toby
I see you like the 24-70 for volleyball! Did you shoot with a full frame camera? Would a 1.5 crop Nikon dx5300 work for shooting volleyball?
What ISO did you usually end up shooting in. Do you use shutter speed mode? Do you have particular settings that work best.
Im just getting started photographing high school volleyball & was thrilled to see your post. Volleyball season comes & goes. I just bought a 24-70 2.8 in preparation for the summer leagues. Lots of money to put into a lens. Im hoping it will be worth every penny. I still have time to return it if its not the right lens.
Thank you for your post.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

treadwl wrote:

Absolutely----I use my left hand for support! :t... (show quote)

...I've done similar things using my big zooms, and *blue tape* is what I use...elec. tape leaves a sticky residue especially when it's hot! Try it, you'll like it...

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

vma wrote:

Toby br I see you like the 24-70 for volleyball! ... (show quote)

...volleyball or not, keep that lens!!! Great all-around glass...

vma Loc: Idaho

Chasgro
Thank you for the encouragement. I kind of like the size of the 24-70 f 2.8 better for a lady to pack around. Although its not light. I have a 16-300 lens for sports in better lighting.
Will the 24-70 get good sharp photos that I can crop & make players fill the frame like the 200 lens takes?
Thanks for your responses.