for sports? Canon EF 135mm f/2 L USM

How would this lens be for basketball? Larger aperture than the f/2.8, would

seem to be good? Am I missing something about this in that regards? What do

you shooters use this lens for? Likes -dislikes? Thanks.

It may be a little long if you are using a 1.6 crop camera - but on a 5D it would make an excellent basketball lens.

If you are shooting from the corners and under the rim, then all you need is a 50mm and maybe something wider. Nothing more. A different story if they are strict on where you can shoot from.

 

Preferably f/1.4 because it's inevitable you will need it...

 

That is what I would start with. 135mm is WAY too long for normal HS conditions.

 

One trick is to prefocus on the rim or net and wait for the action to come to you. Some of the prosumer bodies will let you down in the quality of AF speed.

 

For the same amount of cash, I would definatly go wide like a 28mm f/1.8 and the 50mm. More dramatic. You can always crop.<div></div>

50mm example<div></div>

On full frame my favorite lens from the corner is actually the 85mm.

 

Just don't think the 135mm is ideal.<div></div>

The 135/f2.0 is great for wrestling and basketball from around half court and farther -- the 85 f/1.8 is probably much better for around the foul line and closer. Gymnastics is another sport that the 135 would work well with.

You can shoot high school basketball from the baseline and corners with a 135mm lens and have good mid-court and decent opposite court coverage. However, you will not be able to photograph the standard generic shots from under the basket without a focal length of 50mm or less.

 

I shoot basketball with a 50mm f/1.8 under or near the basket and a 105mm f/2.8 lens when shooting from the corners and I?ve never really had any real issues with focal lengths or lens speed.<div></div>

Taken from the corner with a 105mm f/2.8 lens.<div></div>

Taken from under the basket with a 50mm f/1.8 lens.<div></div>

Taken in a darker gym with a 50mm f/1.8 lens.<div></div>

From under the basket with a 105mm f/2.8 lens.<div></div>

I would start with the 50mm then go wide or long. You can get suprisingly tight with the 50mm as Dave shows.

 

Though it can be short, the good thing about 135mm is that it works great for nightime football and soccer. I seemed to always need the f/2 and then some...

I tend to capture tight shots. But that has more to do with my technique and shooting location then the equipment that I use.

Shooting distance is the obvious question. For ice rinks and outdoors fields I can't imagine a better lense than the 135/2. With full frame the 135/2 makes also a very good portrait and product lense. I personally own a 100/2 (more suitable cost-wise) but then again I've got 1.3 cropper.<br>For pure photo - a 135/2 with 1.0 crop contra 100/2 with 1.3 crop:<br>

- same shooting distance, same FOV but the 135 ff has better blur and bokeh.