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Lens for indoor sports
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Nov 21, 2021 14:42:44   #
Wags Loc: Mequon, WI
 
Basketball for grade/middle/high school is getting started. I have grandkids at all levels and truly enjoy shooting their games. It’s a great way for me to stay connected with them. Some of the games are in old very poorly lit gyms. I shoot with the Nikon D500 and have used the following lenses: TAMRON 18-400: Overall, I like this lens, but I really don’t like what I get in low light situations. Tamron 70-200: Works well in low light, but very difficult to get close up shots. Tamron 24-70: also good in low light, but I’m limited with the longer shots that then require a lot of cropping. I’d be very interested in hearing some lens suggestions for shooting indoors. Thanks in advance. Budget? $1,000-ish.

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Nov 21, 2021 14:55:15   #
no12mo
 
Wags wrote:
Basketball for grade/middle/high school is getting started. I have grandkids at all levels and truly enjoy shooting their games. It’s a great way for me to stay connected with them. Some of the games are in old very poorly lit gyms. I shoot with the Nikon D500 and have used the following lenses: TAMRON 18-400: Overall, I like this lens, but I really don’t like what I get in low light situations. Tamron 70-200: Works well in low light, but very difficult to get close up shots. Tamron 24-70: also good in low light, but I’m limited with the longer shots that then require a lot of cropping. I’d be very interested in hearing some lens suggestions for shooting indoors. Thanks in advance. Budget? $1,000-ish.
Basketball for grade/middle/high school is getting... (show quote)


Example pics would have been nice

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Nov 21, 2021 14:58:00   #
bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA
 
Consider trying higher ISO settings than you dare! Then try to reduce some of the noise in post processing.

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Nov 21, 2021 15:10:38   #
Toment Loc: FL, IL
 
get a 70-200ish with f2.8
👍

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Nov 21, 2021 15:11:11   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Wags wrote:
Basketball for grade/middle/high school is getting started. I have grandkids at all levels and truly enjoy shooting their games. It’s a great way for me to stay connected with them. Some of the games are in old very poorly lit gyms. I shoot with the Nikon D500 and have used the following lenses: TAMRON 18-400: Overall, I like this lens, but I really don’t like what I get in low light situations. Tamron 70-200: Works well in low light, but very difficult to get close up shots. Tamron 24-70: also good in low light, but I’m limited with the longer shots that then require a lot of cropping. I’d be very interested in hearing some lens suggestions for shooting indoors. Thanks in advance. Budget? $1,000-ish.
Basketball for grade/middle/high school is getting... (show quote)


Your lenses are fine, but your choice of format (cropped sensor, and D500) leave something to be desired as you are finding out. An FX body will give you better low light performance, and both the 24-70 and the 70-200 will be a great choice. Get a D700, or better yet, find a nice clean D810 - you'll be glad you did. What you don't need is another lens.

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Nov 21, 2021 15:18:25   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
70-200 2.8, 24-70 2.8 and a camera body that gives you better quality in low light. The Nikon equivalent of a Canon 1DX Mk3 will give you good quality images in low light.

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Nov 21, 2021 21:03:48   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Wags wrote:
Basketball for grade/middle/high school is getting started. I have grandkids at all levels and truly enjoy shooting their games. It’s a great way for me to stay connected with them. Some of the games are in old very poorly lit gyms. I shoot with the Nikon D500 and have used the following lenses: TAMRON 18-400: Overall, I like this lens, but I really don’t like what I get in low light situations. Tamron 70-200: Works well in low light, but very difficult to get close up shots. Tamron 24-70: also good in low light, but I’m limited with the longer shots that then require a lot of cropping. I’d be very interested in hearing some lens suggestions for shooting indoors. Thanks in advance. Budget? $1,000-ish.
Basketball for grade/middle/high school is getting... (show quote)


I would suggest you look at the Nikon 135mm f2 or the 180m f2.8 primes - used. Also look into the best noise reduction and pixel enlargement softwares.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/113487?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4OOC5O6q9AIVUNyGCh1WhgJ4EAQYASABEgJBSPD_BwE
.

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Nov 22, 2021 05:40:41   #
raymondh Loc: Walker, MI
 
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.

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Nov 22, 2021 06:36:36   #
SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY
 
… AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G…Black Friday sales…$429…

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Nov 22, 2021 06:42:42   #
SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY
 
…oh…and get a battery grip and turn the camera vertical so you get the whole player…and make sure you don’t cut off at the joints…!

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Nov 22, 2021 07:15:10   #
Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south
 
Primes if you're close...Zooms if you're in the bleachers.

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Nov 22, 2021 07:50:57   #
uhaas2009
 
I’ve never used the 500 or tamron. I got a used Clean 70-200 2.8 used sec. Model. With my 810 it’s a beast. I agree with Gene51

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Nov 22, 2021 08:01:04   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
Your two f/2.8 zooms are the lenses you need and already own. Just practice knowing which to mount for the distance to the players / action for a given situation.

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Nov 22, 2021 08:15:46   #
dgwoodward2
 
Agree with the investment in a 70-200 f2.8. Both my boys have played basketball from grade school to now high school. It has always given me the most versatility. Shooting from one end of the court to the other is a bit of a stretch for it but does okay even with a full frame sensor. Certainly a crop would give you that extra reach. Bottom line is you need a way to handle the lack of light in the gym and the 2.8 definitely is the best place to start. The 2.8 and the ability to push the shutter speed will do wonders for the end product. And don’t discount the previous post that recommended pushing the ISO beyond the normal comfort zone. I believe it is better to have a bit of noise with a clear shot versus a noise free shot of a blurry image. Both modern cameras and software are very helpful but there is no substitute for more light at getting a better shutter speed.

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Nov 22, 2021 08:34:58   #
no12mo
 
Gene51 wrote:
Your lenses are fine, but your choice of format (cropped sensor, and D500) leave something to be desired as you are finding out. An FX body will give you better low light performance, and both the 24-70 and the 70-200 will be a great choice. Get a D700, or better yet, find a nice clean D810 - you'll be glad you did. What you don't need is another lens.



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