Sports lenses
May 3, 2015 08:11:56 #
bleary
Loc: MA
I'm the advisor to a high school yearbook and high school newspaper. I have a great student photo staff and some pretty good equipment - several canon 60D's and a variety of lenses. I realize that if we are taking a basketball game, or any indoor sport, that we need fast (2.8) lenses and have them. Is this kind of lens really necessary on a bright day outside? The longest 2.8 lens we have is 200 mm. That won't get me to the outfield in a baseball game or across the field very well in field hockey or soccer. We have a couple of 300 mm lenses but they are not 2.8. They seem to do OK outdoors, but maybe I'm missing something. I'd love to have thousands for a 300-400 mm 2.8 but this is a school and that just isn't realistic.
May 3, 2015 08:30:07 #
bleary wrote:
I'm the advisor to a high school yearbook and high... (show quote)
Why do you need an f/2.8 outdoors? Used 300's and 400's are available for under $1000.00. In many high school soccer, baseball, or field hockey games you should be able to roam the sideline/ baseline and cover most of the action on the field. GL.
May 3, 2015 08:31:24 #
May 3, 2015 08:40:21 #
bleary wrote:
I'm the advisor to a high school yearbook and high... (show quote)
Wow! I am definitely jealous of your available photo equipment. When I was a newspaper and yearbook advisor (some thirty-five years ago), our only equipment was a Polaroid. I always found an interested student with his own 35mm to be my photographer.
To answer your question, no, you don't need a 2.8 for outdoor work, but it would probably be nice for night games.
May 3, 2015 08:43:52 #
bleary wrote:
That was my question. Do I need a 2.8 outdoors. I guess the answer is no.
Sorry Bleary, I missed that part. The sports you mentioned are still considered "minor" sports in H.S., that is, they have not reached the big time, NIGHT games! As long as you are covering games played in daylight you will be fine going with f/4 or even f/5.6. You might eliminate "L glass" quality at that price level but you can find lenses that will get you out to 300-400mm's. Both focal lengths will let you cover your games well. Soccer and baseball are reachable at 300mm. You might have to do some foot zooming but you should be fine. GL
May 3, 2015 10:55:22 #
bleary wrote:
I'm the advisor to a high school yearbook and high... (show quote)
I'm going to get on your case a little bit because you are a teacher and should know better. You DO NOT need a 2.8 lens for outdoor sports...PERIOD! And with todays better more sensitive sensors you don't need them indoors either. All you gain is an Fstop, the bokeh is better wide open, but that is not a prime factor in action shots.
Here's an example of baseball shot with a Canon 100-400 I series, got a problem with these/ Think a 2.8 would do better? You have equipment disease...heal thyself! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
dusted
far left field from behind 1st
safe
May 3, 2015 20:05:37 #
The suggestion for a used 100-400L is a good idea. This is an excellent lens and they've been sold in mass as people replace them with the version II. Look at KEH and see if a used version fits into your budget. The crop factor of the 60D pushes the upper end even higher.
May 3, 2015 22:22:14 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The suggestion for a used 100-400L is a good idea. This is an excellent lens and they've been sold in mass as people replace them with the version II. Look at KEH and see if a used version fits into your budget. The crop factor of the 60D pushes the upper end even higher.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
May 4, 2015 10:24:35 #
bleary wrote:
I'm the advisor to a high school yearbook and high... (show quote)
No, you do not need an F2 .8 for outdoor sports. You will find outside that most of the time you'll be shooting at f7.1 to f10. The suggestion of picking up a used 100 400 mm lens is very good, you would find it an excellent lens for outside sports you mention.
Jim D
May 4, 2015 11:06:47 #
I notice the OP has not returned. Guess he really didn't want advice after all...or at least not that went against his preconceived notions. LOL
May 4, 2015 20:29:48 #
bleary wrote:
I'm the advisor to a high school yearbook and high... (show quote)
Sigma 100-300 f4 best obtained from KEH or KEH outlet on ebay. Cost? Around $600 - put a 1.4X Tamron behind it for large outdoor venues.
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