Best "big" lense \for sports and marching band competition photography? Looking to get the opinions of the hedgehog community on what would be the best lens to do sports and marching...

mlkddk Loc: Colorado

Looking to get the opinions of the hedgehog community on what would be the best lens to do sports and marching band competition photography--you all have given me great advice as I advance in my photography endeavors so I am back to the best resource for knowing what to buy to address my latest project.
Also, I am sometimes working in low light with no flash allowed!!

Thanks in advance!!
Mark Kaiser

Vietnam Vet

70-200

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

That's a difficult question to answer without knowing what camera you use and your budget. Also, on average, how close will you be to the subjects?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

This...you GOTTA HAVE the Canon 300mm f/2.8 IS! It's a must!!!
Buy it now....

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-300mm-Super-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B0040X4PRW?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0040X4PRW

I tried it and it was a spectacular lens.

Buy it...go...now...money is no object.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

rpavich wrote:

This...you GOTTA HAVE the Canon 300mm f/2.8 IS! It's a must!!!
Buy it now.... I tried it and it was a spectacular lens.
Buy it...go...now...money is no object.

And it’s big enough to serve as a second home. (grin)

mikeg492 Loc: WIlmington, NC

Sigma 120-300 2.8

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

mlkddk wrote:

Looking to get the opinions of the hedgehog community on what would be the best lens to do sports and marching band competition photography--you all have given me great advice as I advance in my photography endeavors so I am back to the best resource for knowing what to buy to address my latest project.
Also, I am sometimes working in low light with no flash allowed!!

Thanks in advance!!
Mark Kaiser

This should cover it.
https://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/telephoto-lenses/200-500mm-f2-8-apo-ex-dg

If that is too big then I would say a 70-200L or a 100-400L. 100-400L if events are during daylight outside. 70-200L if at night or indoors.

Largobob

rpavich wrote:

This...you GOTTA HAVE the Canon 300mm f/2.8 IS! It's a must!!!
Buy it now....

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-300mm-Super-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B0040X4PRW?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0040X4PRW

I tried it and it was a spectacular lens.

Buy it...go...now...money is no object.

What have you been smoking this morning, rpavich?

ELNikkor

Do you have DX? the Tamron 18-400 should cover everything!

pstar

We all can give examples of what works for us . Personally I would rent lens in the range needed and purchase what worked the best for me

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

mlkddk wrote:

Looking to get the opinions of the hedgehog community on what would be the best lens to do sports and marching band competition photography--you all have given me great advice as I advance in my photography endeavors so I am back to the best resource for knowing what to buy to address my latest project.
Also, I am sometimes working in low light with no flash allowed!!

Thanks in advance!!
Mark Kaiser

You need a fast lens with a zoom, your lens does not need to be the sharpest out there because the type photography does not necessarily need to capture the separation of feathers of a bird, or the pollen of a flower, but I assume that you will be at times shooting in challenging lighting conditions. These questions being asked without qualification as to budget and what type of camera you will be using, or what access you will be having to the bands are kinda silly, but, with the little information you have provided in your OP I would recommend that before making your decision that you consider the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8. That lens is fast and has an attractive zoom range.

mrtaxi Loc: Old Westbury NY, Fort Lauderdale, FL

I take it you have a canon full frame. My first pick would be canon 70-200 2.8L is mark ii or the new Mark iii with a 1.4 converter for the times you need longer reach. It’s fast enough for indoor and excellent in low light (without the converter). This is a lens that every photographer should own, it’s used all most as much as my 24-70mm 2.8L. My 2nd choice would be the canon 100-400 4.5-5.5L IS Mark ii a which is also great choice for sports with a bit longer reach. A 3rd Less expensive choice would be the canon 70-300 L is Mark ii, a versatile lens, not as heavy as choice 1 or 2 in weight or dollars.

Shutterbug57

24-70/2.8 with 70-200/2.8 and 400/2.8.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Largobob wrote:

What have you been smoking this morning, rpavich?

Nothing today, I just thought I'd answer the vague open ended question in a funny way.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Largobob wrote:

What have you been smoking this morning, rpavich?

A modern man! Perhaps "high performance vaping!"

Not knowing your vantage point, I'd use a 70-200 2.8 and have a 1.4 TC on hand.