Lens for indoor sports (Page 2): With six grandchildren as my models over the years (#6 photos attached) the advent of better sensors and noise reduction has made life much simpler for...

daldds Loc: NYC

With six grandchildren as my models over the years (#6 photos attached) the advent of better sensors and noise reduction has made life much simpler for me.
You have good lenses, and with the correct sensor, you’re job is easy.
My images were shot at at f/4, 1/500 and auto ISO, 1250 & 1600 here, then cropped to about 1/2. I did not use any noise, and printed the bottom at 8 1/2 x 11, the top 13 x 19, which turned out to be a little noisy, but fine for her wall of photos.

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no12mo

daldds wrote:

With six grandchildren as my models over the years (#6 photos attached) the advent of better sensors and noise reduction has made life much simpler for me.
You have good lenses, and with the correct sensor, you’re job is easy.
My images were shot at at f/4, 1/500 and auto ISO, 1250 & 1600 here, then cropped to about 1/2. I did not use any noise, and printed the bottom at 8 1/2 x 11, the top 13 x 19, which turned out to be a little noisy, but fine for her wall of photos.

Why cropped?

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

raymondh wrote:

At that age, I’ve been able to sit courtside with my Canon 1DXII (fulll frame). I use primes - f2.0 135; f1.4 50; and f1.8 85 mm which I tend to use most frequently. In manual mode I’m usually at f2.0, sp 800, and auto ISO which lands around 6400 give or take depending on the light.

No fair! Your camera is doing all the work. Canon's 1DX series can make photographs that other cameras cannot. You are adding one of Canon's better lenses to one of their best bodies! Can't get any better than that. High school basketball courts offer great chances to make the 135mm lens excel, and it is a perfect lens choice for the task. ISO 6400 rarely causes problems for you. The brightness of the maple flooring allows more light than you think. Your only drawback I can see is that you are constantly on the move to take advantage of your rig. While you are seeing the action you are missing the game. Life can be a bitch.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

My limited experience with gym sports is that I didn’t need to go beyond 135mm with my DX body, effectively an FF 275mm. That said, cropping, high ISO, and noise reduction are part of the game.

rcarol

Toment wrote:

get a 70-200ish with f2.8
👍

The OP says he has a 70-200mm lens and that it works well in low light but does not give him enough reach.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

rcarol wrote:

The OP says he has a 70-200mm lens and that it works well in low light but does not give him enough reach.

The OP also said they have a D500, delivering a 1.5x crop factor. If 200mm on this camera isn't 'close enough', they need to sit closer. A 300mm+ lens at f/2.8 isn't going to arrive within a $1000 budget, especially when arriving earlier and sitting closer is virtually free in an HS setting.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

CHG_CANON wrote:

The OP also said they have a D500, delivering a 1.5x crop factor. If 200mm on this camera isn't 'close enough', they need to sit closer. A 300mm+ lens at f/2.8 isn't going to arrive within a $1000 budget, especially when arriving earlier and sitting closer is virtually free in an HS setting.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

My 70-200 2.8E FL is my most used lens for sports. When indoors in terirble lighting, I tend to use my fixed focal length, fast glass. I only shoot full frame. Best of luck.

daldds Loc: NYC

no12mo wrote:

Why cropped?

24-105 is why

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Wags wrote:

Basketball for grade/middle/high school is getting... (show quote)

Your two Tamrons (24-70 & 70-200), as Paul said, is all you need. Shoot wide open or close maybe 2.8 or 5.6. some maybe at f8, depending on the depth of field you want. SS 1/500 to freeze action, unless you want blurred to show motion. I'd set auto iso, and burst, at 3-4 shots. Remember, at 200mm your at equivalent of 300 cropped. Auto white balance them adjust as needed in post. Depending on the tote of lights.

Edited:::: is also get there early and get some practice shots during the warm up practice.

Here's an article that is good.

https://www.exposureguide.com/basketball-photography-tips/

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I bought a Nikon f2.8 80-200 for my grandson's swim meets. I have been very happy with it. If you can find a used copy you will really like it for price and quality.

clemente21

Wags wrote:

Basketball for grade/middle/high school is getting... (show quote)

I shot my kid's basketball games for a while. Also have a D500. I got best results with a 85mm F1.8 opened at F2 and 1/800. ISO was over 3200. I had to sit or stand close to one of the baskets. Sometimes I stood/sat right behind it. However, these are the more interesting shots and where most of the action happens. Rebounds are the best. I used fast burst mode to get the most of the action. I took my 80-200 2.8 to shoot far away, but found I didn't need it. I got my 85mm used from ebay between $200 - $300. Great lens. If you ask nicely to the officials they might let you get a decent spot. Show them the camera so they can see you have no flash. Good luck.

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RolandDieter

Obviously, the lens length you need depends on where you sit and the results you want. I try for about the third row up near the end where my grandkids will be shooting the ball. (Yes, I change my seat during half-time.) The lens I usually use is a Sigma 50-100 f/1.7 but I don't want the photos to fully isolate the players.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

clemente21 wrote:

I shot my kid's basketball games for a while. Also... (show quote)

Nice shots. One ting you need to do in post is to STRAIGHTEN the images. Best of luck.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

CHG_CANON wrote:

The OP also said they have a D500, delivering a 1.5x crop factor. If 200mm on this camera isn't 'close enough', they need to sit closer. A 300mm+ lens at f/2.8 isn't going to arrive within a $1000 budget, especially when arriving earlier and sitting closer is virtually free in an HS setting.

And, his 200mm is equivalent to FF 300mm.