indoor sports lens 1.8----1.4

dbaker1221

if I want to start shooting some indoor basketball or swim, what are everybodies thoughts on lenses.?

50mm--1.4f or 85mm--1.8f

I was thinking more reach & giving up the .4f.....but I'd like all the info I can get from some who do this.

thanks guys!

---

dave

blackholewon

Close Ups
You need close ups so don't count on the 50mm. There is some great glass at 2.0 and 2.8 that will work great. If action is real fast moving and the ight is low you'll need flash - proper flash. So if it is 50mm vs 85mm, I'd go with the 85. You might look at a 28-135 2.8 as well.

ziggy53

dbaker1221 wrote:

if I want to start shooting some indoor basketball or swim, what are everybodies thoughts on lenses.?

50mm--1.4f or 85mm--1.8f

I was thinking more reach & giving up the .4f.....but I'd like all the info I can get from some who do this.

thanks guys!

---

dave

Dave,

It looks like you shoot Nikon. (It's always good to include the platform in your question.)

I think the 50mm is gonna be pretty short for sports, and even the 85 isn't that long, unless you live around one of the baskets or goals etc.

A more typical lens would be the Nikkor 135mm f/2.0D AF DC, or the Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 ED AF-D or Nikkor 70-200 VR ED IF AF-S VR.

Count on using your best technique, and highest ISO. Good noise reduction software is invaluable.

ziggy53

dbaker1221

terrific advice ....thanks

mercphoto

The 85/1.8 seems to be a very popular basketball lens. On the Canon front the 85/1.8 is a very fast focusing lens, whereas the 50/1.4 is a slow focuser (yes, I know its USM) and can hunt in low light. I know some have used a 70-200/2.8 as well. Don't go past a 2.8 though, unless you put up a few strobes in the rafters.