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Canon 85mm f1.8 vs 100mm f2 For Basketball?


conrad_stoll1

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I know that either of these is the lens I want for basketball, but for the life of me I can't choose.

 

The 100 would be a little better for getting in nice and close, but its slightly slower. I've heard that its

sharper than the 85 though.

 

The 85 is faster than the 100 but i'm not sure how sharp it is at the f1.8 aperture, which is where i'd be

using it the most by far.

 

The price on the two is basically the same, within 30 bucks.

 

Other than basketball, i'd likely be doing some volleyball work with either lens (100 would probably be

better for that) and maybe use one as a backup for night time football on my close quarters camera

(maybe). My other interests include nature (closeups of flowers etc., as well as scenery) and portraits. I

know both lenses are good for portraits, but does anyone have a favorite for either of those other aspects?

 

My principal focus for this thing though is basketball, so if anyone has any feelings about either one vs.

the other for that, please let me know.

 

Thanks

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you're not going to do a big mistake with either of them ...

check the tests a photozone ...

 

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_85_18/index.htm

 

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_100_2/index.htm

 

If the reach of the 100 is better for you take this one, I don't think

that the third of an f-stop (that you loose) will make a big difference.

 

I never tried the 100/2 ... but the 85/1.8 has excellent AF (fast accurate) even in low light, and does perform very well wide open

(albeit it wins a littel when stopped down).

 

Rainer

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? I think Leopold is referring to the Canon 85mm f/1.2 (Mk I), rather than the f/1.8 lens, though actually with basketball it's quite possible to shoot using manual focus, since you can predict where the action is going to occur.

 

You didn't mention what body you are shooting with. I think 85mm is probably as long as you'll need (and you'll probably want at least a 50mm as well) for shooting basketball with a 1.6 crop body. If you're shooting full frame, you might want to add the 135mm f/2 instead of the 50mm.

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The three most popular lenses for basketball in the Canon lineup are the 50 1.8, 85 1.8, and 70-200 2.8. The 50 because it is cheap, the 70-200 for, well being a 70-200 2.8 and the 85 1.8 because it is very fast in AF and a sharp lens. The 100 is a good lens, but some feel it is a tad too long for basketball under the hoop, and a tad too short for mid court. I shoot basketball with two lenses and two bodies. If I am strobing, it is the 70-200 2.8 on a 1D and 85 1.8 on a Xt. If light is bad and I am not strobing, the 50 on the 1D and 85 on the Xt.

 

The 85 is the ideal focal length for a 1.6 sensor with basketball

 

Volleyball is a different story altogether. I like a 70-200 and a 300 2.8 for that, but under low light conditions, the 135 f2 is an awesome lens. Again, the 100 is a little short. 85 is even shorter but it is usable.

 

Go with the 85. You will not be upset with the choice.

 

Oh, and yes, the 85 1.2 is slow, much slower than the 85, but it is still a awesome indoor sports lens, just not ideal.

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Thanks carl

 

And the only aspect of volleyball i'd be using the lens for would be floor side shots of digs

basically, since either an 85 or a 100 is plenty good for that, since its so close. I already use

a 70-200 for everything else (or a 300 f2.8 when the office will let me borrow one that all of

us share).

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