70-200mm f/4 for sports?

Hi all,

 

This is another lens question, but I'll try to make it more

specific--skip the next two paragraphs if you don't want to read bg

info. :)<br><br>

 

Given the current Canon rebate situation, I've decided to take the

dive and buy a DRebel with some lenses--one of which that will cover a

range up to 200mm. (Just FYI: I have had past experience with SLRs, my

school has a bunch and I was introduced to them a long while ago by a

friend of mine... big photo guy... I digress)<br><br>

 

Also given that I'm in High School with a "limited" budget (I guess

$1600 isn't limited to a lot of people... make that most), I have

decided on the 70-200 f/4 ($500+) over the 70-200 f/2.8 ($1000+).<br><br>

 

My question is this: How well is the f/4 suited for sports

photography? I've heard EVERYWHERE that f/4 just doesn't cut it for

crappy lighting (e.g. night football, indoor basketball, etc) but that

it is OK for day shots and the like. How many of you employ this lens

for sports and what do you shoot? <br><br>

 

MUCH Thanks,<br>

Jimmy Jin<br><br><br>

 

 

PS: Just for the curious, the kit I'm planning to get includes the

DRebel, 17-40 f/4, 70-200 f/4, and 50 f/1.8. I don't want to get

involved in an equipment addiction, so my plan is to just get some

quality glass at the get-go and not worry about what could be better

later on. I figure the lenses to last me a while if I treat them well,

which I will. (I am a freak when it comes to that...) <br><br>

 

I will be making money off this gear shooting portraits (I learned

advanced lighting and other cinematography from video professionals

over the summer) and sports shots for local K-12 sports teams mostly,

so I am somewhat concerned about quality, hence the pricey stuff.

If you are going to be making some money with your kit, I would advise going straight for the 70-200 2.8 in the first place, especially if you intend to do sports work as well, as you will end up being frustrated at times with the low light results from the otherwise very nice 70-200 f4, and will soon feel the need to replace it with a 2.8. Your thinking is basically right, get the right tool for the job in the first place. It is a big cost saver in the long run.

The advice given above is most sound. If, however, you're a bit short of cash to get the f/2.8 long lens, have you considered getting a used one from a reputable place? Do consider this option; you can always get a new one in the future and re-sell the old (used) one, but at the very least you'll have the proper equipment from the very start (ya don't wanna deal with the miserable feeling of, "aw, shucks, I could've... would've... might've... if I had had the right lens!")

I'm afraid this is another vote for the 2.8, I bought a used one and it's wonderful. If you absolutely have to get a new one, then a 3rd party 2.8 might be a better buy than the Canon f4. Personally I came down to choosing between a new Sigma or a second hand Canon, and chose the Canon. I'd do it again tomorrow.

Thanks for all your answers. That's not what I hoped to hear but I was denial anyway. :P

 

Although the 70-200 f/2.8 Non-IS zoom from Canon is ruled out (price...), I still have hope for the Sigma version. It looks well-built and has positive reviews from a number of photog's on the web.

 

Thanks again!

 

-Jimmy Jin

I have the Sigma 70-200 EX HSM and it is a very good option for the price.

IMHO the main issue with your equipment selection (having sports photography in mind) is getting a 20d instead of a DRebel (I find AI SERVO very usefull most of the time). That would be my top priority. The one extra stop a 70-200 f/2.8 would give you is nice (particularly if you plan on buying a 1.4 TC soon), but the (much) lighter f/4 will still have its uses even when you have both lenses.

Doesn't the DRebel have AI-Servo with the firmware hack? The 20D is probably faster in all respects with less high ISO noise, but how necessary is that? :P

 

-Jimmy Jin

300D has terrible high ISO performance at 1600 and 3200. Way too much noise. With f/4 you have to shoot at ISO 1600 or 3200 especially in HS gyms. Get prime lenses like 85/1.8 100/2 200/2.8 and they're in your budget. Here are my HS basketball action shots:<br>

<a href="http://bestactionshots.com/Osseo/Basketball/Boys"><img src="http://bestactionshots.com/Osseo/Basketball/Boys/20041130VNorthStPaul/20041130BKBV_0145.jpg"></a><br>

I shoot almost exclusively with the 70-200 f/2.8 and love it! I personally find that the extra stop very useful with isolating my subject not to mention necessary with poor indoor lighting. The speed of the lens is even more pronounced when employing the IS as you in theory pick up 3 stops. Now when the time comes to add a 1.4 or 2x converter to your kit, the IS will make up the 2 stops you loose and give you a focal length of 6540mm. (200mm x 2 x 1.6)

 

If you want to get an idea of the kind of images that I have captured with my 10D, check out my (F1) Formula One folder listed below. All of the images were taken with the 70-200 f/2.8 (some with the 2x TC)

 

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=414105

 

As for the Rebel, I would strongly suggest going with at least the 10D... The body is stronger and the weight of the 70-200 f/2.8 might take it's toll over time. (just my personal opinion)

 

With regards to using either of these cameras for portraiture, I would keep in mind that there exists a 1.6 multiplier on these cameras for focal length. Having said this, also bear in mind that wide angle shots (short focal length) will be near impossible as you will need to multiply the focal length by 1.6 to get you actuall focal length. So at the mimimal side of the lens think of it as a 112mm lens rather than a 70!

 

Hope this helps.

 

-Norman

I have a 300D, it's great for portraits, no good for sports.

 

It doesn't have AI-Servo (that you can force), which is what you'll need for continous focus. It only has AI-Focus, which will default to One-Shot mode, until the camera decides to detect motion.

 

With the firmware hack mentioned above, you can force One-Shot mode, but AI-Servo doesn't work.

 

I would suggest getting the 20D, or at least the 10D. With the 20D, you get something like a 25 frame buffer. With the Rebel, you'll shoot 4 until the buffer fills up. That might be a problem in sports photography.

 

If you live in Southern California, Samy's camera has a no sales tax sale, and 24 months 0% financing to make things more affordable. Between my girlfriend and I, we just got 1 body and 3 lenses today.

I have a 70-200 4

 

Sports in daylight Dreb fine, f4 fine, 200 iso or less ok... For indoors, I say 20D or better and 2.8 or better, iso 800 or more.

Thanks again for all the responses, guys. My christmas present was going to be a loan from my parents to buy this stuff, but I ruined it with an extremely stupid decision... it's a long story. However, they've still agreed to help finance the purchase in the summer (I tried explaining that the sales usually happen around now... they still want me to wait...).

 

I've been thinking about what I'd do with my camera since then, and in order to break even on my loan faster, I've decided to focus on portrait photography, as I had interned with some pros over this summer and learned a bunch about studio lighting, albeit of the video variety. Without the killer rebate in the summer as well, I've pretty much decided to go for a better body anyway--I've heard horror stories about the DReb's focus and build quality from a friend in Seattle...

 

I've been notoriously bad when it comes to having my mind set on something for all the wrong reasons, so I guess 5 months to think about it won't hurt. :P

 

-Jimmy Jin

For sports photography, especially basketball, definitely dont skimp on the Fstops....I shoot @ F1.8 and still need ISO 1600 to get 1/500th of a second. I'm currently saving for the Sigma 70-200 HSM or perhaps a good condition used Canon 70-200L. The 20D performs admirably at 1600 though.

<br>

<img src="http://www.twilight-photography.co.uk/small_terrell.jpg">

<br>

This was shot with my 20D and 50mm F1.8 mkII, ISO 1600 on Servo mode @ ISO 1600 F1.8 1/500th. As you can see the noise isnt that bad at all!

Thanks Tom,

 

Yes, I have heard great things about the 20D. I can't believe that picture was taken at 1600... amazing.

 

If I had the money I'd grab one. :P However, my DReb isn't well-suited to sports photography anyway--the AF is too crappy (no mode selection), and the high ISO noise is unbearable. I AM focusing on portrait photography, however, so with the new strobes I'll be getting I hope to be able to strobe some indoor games and use my f/4. I'm also looking at that 50 1.8 as well since it's cheap. Anyway, it looks like outdoor sports and flash-lit indoors only for the moment.

 

Thanks alot!

 

-Jimmy