Lens help for Canon EOS 7D Mk II: Hello, this is my first time to the forums. I am needing advice on a zoom lens that I can use taking photos of football that starts in the daylight...

Tazie Loc: Ohio

Hello, this is my first time to the forums.
I am needing advice on a zoom lens that I can use taking photos of football that starts in the daylight but ends under the Stadium lights?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Consider your 70-200 f/2.8 options. They come from Canon with and without IS support. They have similar stabilization support from Tamron at a cheaper price with still excellent image quality. Even with the 7DII crop factor, 200mm might be too short unless you can work from the sidelines. The 'under lights' requirement will cause any lens that maxes at f/5.6 to struggle in the low light.

ELNikkor

Welcome to the forum, Tazie! My friend shot several soccer seasons under the same conditions with his Canon 70D and a Canon 70-200 2.8. He used a monopod, shot from the sidelines, and used a plastic lens shield thingy when it rained. His shots were excellent, no blur from motion (probably 1/500 sec.), even at night under the lights. He made 4x6 prints of everyone on the team in action. They could order enlargements if they wanted more. If you have a back-up camera, you could have a shorter lens for when the action happens right in front of you, as 70mm is kind of long on a crop-frame camera, but the 200 goes out to an equivalent 300 at the long end. Shooting high res jpegs and cropping in a bit will still give good images, and you'll get plenty enough with that set-up. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Tazie Loc: Ohio

Thank you

wireloose

Make sure you are allowed to bring a longer lens in if it’s a professional game. I got turned back at a Chicago Fire gate for having, I think, a 100-400L lens on a Canon 5D4. Was able to come back in with a shorter lens and the lens hood reversed.

dgwoodward2

After shooting my son’s games for the last 5-6 years I will second the advice for the 70-200 2.8. Needs to be f2.8 for sure if you want to shoot under Friday night lights. Need to speed to allow for fast enough shutter speed. While I liked using 300mm best, the 70-200 with crop from the sidelines should work fine. I have always used full frame so reach of the 300 mattered. I also found it necessary to shoot at 1/800-1/1000 routinely to properly stop the action. Any slower and you will get blur. Sometimes 2.8 lenses are a big bite to take but they pay off huge in lower light of stadiums and gyms. My 2 cents.

brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

I shoot from the sidelines and with my 7DMKII I use 70-200 f/2.8......works fine. Just check to see what type lighting is being used.

Gampa

A 70-200 F2.8 with image stabilization is the best way to go. Canon’s version is great… but I’ve been using Tamron’s Version 2 … and the focus is very fast and images are very sharp … and it’s much less expensive. When it gets dark (and you’re relying on lights), I can go up to ISO 1600 to keep shutter speeds at 1/800-1/1000 seconds … and take out the noise in Lightroom. Good shooting!

Gampa

To echo DJwoodwards advise … you’ll need to go with f2.8 under the lights

LEWHITE7747 Loc: 33773

Tazie wrote:

Hello, this is my first time to the forums.
I am needing advice on a zoom lens that I can use taking photos of football that starts in the daylight but ends under the Stadium lights?

You are getting some good advice. The Tamron G2 70-200 /2.8 is a great lens. Hoping with the crop factor it is long enough. I wonder if the Canon 100-400ll would be good enough in low light. It would give you good range but the 5.6 might not give you enough light. I think this is the problem you are going to have to resolve. I guess if you could rent both and see if one works better than the other. Another possibility is a 1.4 TC on the tamron turning it to a f/4. Again, would there be enough light? You will find a lot of good advice on this forum with some really bright photographers with experience. Welcome and good luck!

Gampa

Further FYI …
Here are a few taken “under the lights” with a Canon 5DIV and Tamron 70-200 G2 @ F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 1600 … then post processed in Lightroom to remove noise and haze. Love the challenge of finding the right spot to capture the action under the best light available on the field.

(Download)

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Gampa wrote:

Further FYI …
Here are a few taken “under the lights” with a Canon 5DIV and Tamron 70-200 G2 @ F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 1600 … then post processed in Lightroom to remove noise and haze. Love the challenge of finding the right spot to capture the action under the best light available on the field.

Nice shots. Unfortunately, LR removed the EXIF data.

Tazie Loc: Ohio

Thank you all. I am currently using a Canon Canon EF 75- 300 1:4-5.5

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Gampa wrote:

Further FYI …
Here are a few taken “under the lights” with a Canon 5DIV and Tamron 70-200 G2 @ F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 1600 … then post processed in Lightroom to remove noise and haze. Love the challenge of finding the right spot to capture the action under the best light available on the field.

Beautifully done ☀️⭐☀️⭐☀️

Tazie Loc: Ohio

Thank you. Can I ask why is it i am finding a wide range on price for this lens. Is there other letters on importance in the lens description?
I am a total newbie on this camera and on the lenses.
I have been just using a Canon EF 75- 300 1:4-5.5