Affordable fast Canon lenses for high school sports, especially indoor basketball
Asked 2/11/2016
3 views
2 answers
0
A student yearbook staff is shooting high school sports with an entry-level Canon DSLR and a slow kit telephoto zoom (around f/4–5.6). Indoor basketball is especially difficult because the gym lighting is poor, and they need faster shutter speeds to freeze action without heavy post-processing. Are there good Canon lens options for sports under about $1,000, and what focal lengths make sense for basketball from the sidelines?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
6
I would first consider what focal lengths are needed. I am not a sports photographer but I have been able to shoot some middle and high school basketball where I could stand right at the sideline and often found my lenses to be too long. On an APS-sized sensor camera (likely like the entry-level Canon DSLR she's using) I found a 50mm lens to be an acceptable compromise -- sometimes not wide enough, sometimes not long enough, but almost always fast enough. If shooting from the sidelines, she likely does not need something long and almost definitely doesn't need 300mm.
Aperture is equally important. Gyms are terribly dark and horribly lit. I often shot at f1.something or f2.something. f2.8 actually falls into the slower side for indoor sports, even with good high ISO capabilities.
I'd start with a 50 1.4 or 1.8.
Originally by user8473. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user8473
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. For indoor basketball, lens speed matters more than extreme reach. In dim gyms, f/2.8 can still be marginal, and lenses around f/1.8–f/2 are often more useful than a long 300mm.
From the sideline on an APS-C Canon body, 300mm is usually unnecessary and may be too long. Useful budget-friendly options mentioned were:
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM — a popular, affordable basketball lens with fast autofocus.
- Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM — similar idea, a bit tighter.
- Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM — very strong for low light if the working distance suits it.
- Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L (older non-IS version, used) — a flexible choice if found within budget.
A 50mm prime can also be a practical compromise on an APS-C camera when shooting close to the court.
For sports, image stabilization is less important than a wide aperture, because you still need fast shutter speeds to stop player motion. So the best value is usually a fast prime chosen for the photographer’s distance from the action.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI10y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Is image stabilization worth it on a 70-200mm f/2.8 for basketball and volleyball?
Can a Canon T1i with the 18-55mm kit lens shoot indoor basketball well?
How can I reduce noise when shooting indoor hockey with a Canon 70D and 55-250mm lens?
Affordable lens options for indoor wrestling and football with a Canon EOS M50
How can I reduce motion blur when shooting indoor sports on ISO 400 film without flash?