what lens should i use on soccer game?

Hi. i have never tried a zoom lens more than 200mm. Also, i have never shot a soccer game. So, please fellow photographers who have been at soccer game and have used longer lenses, tell me which lens is the best for soccer game?

Also, has anyone tried 600mm before ? is it only for birding? is it too much for the soccer game? just asking not buying

I mostly us a 70 200mm f2.8 on a crop for soccer games. But, these are kids and I am pretty close to the edge of the playing field. If I don't move around, I could use a little more reach, but for me 600mm would be too much.

Happy Shooting,
Pam

Mongolia said:

Hi. i have never tried a zoom lens more than 200mm. Also, i have never shot a soccer game. So, please fellow photographers who have been at soccer game and have used longer lenses, tell me which lens is the best for soccer game?

Also, has anyone tried 600mm before ? is it only for birding? is it too much for the soccer game? just asking not buying

Click to expand...

I have 2 lenses that I use when I shoot sports. Depending on where I am situated, if it's close enough I use the 70-200 mm f4.0 L IS USM. I also use a 300 mm f4.0 L IS USM with a 1.4 extender at times. I was able to get a press pass just two nights ago to shoot the Agassi vs Sampras match in Macao. A few images are posted under "sports" on my little website. I just had to raise the ISO to be able to freeze the images at a shutter speed of 640.
--
http://www.juliussantos.com

Are you talking. about a kids game or Pro match. From stands or sidelines? I've shot both. I used 70-200 on crop for kids and found the long end to be a bit loose due to their size. For pro soccer or Am. FB a minimum of 300mm crop or 400mm FF. I used my 400 2.8 w/1.4x alot when shooting pro from sidelines. This was FF also

Scott

Longer primes take lots of practice to keep the subject in frame. Last spring watched pros with 300, 400, to 600mm prime lenses shooting speed skaters I was close enough to see their LCD's in review. It seemed almost everything filled the frame. I found it tough to keep skaters in the frame between 200 and 400mm and I shoot birds and aircraft with reasonable success. The pros are good at sports and it certainly takes practice. So don't just rent a lens and show up.
Blake in Vancouver
http://flickr.com/photos/28305360@N00/
Panasonic Stuff, Canon Stuff. Mac Stuff & annoying PC & Windows stuff.

I have used a 70-300 IS on a Crop camera for children's soccer and found it to be a good range. Also, the price of the lens is reasonable especially if you do not shoot type of action often. I use a 500mm lens for birds and would never try to use it for soccer.
--
Bob Sheldon
Photo Gallery at
http://www.bobsheldon.com

For the kids games I use my trusty 100-400 usually from the stands.

The stands give me a little height and the zoom gives me some flexibility. I have been very pleased with the results and so haven't the kids.

--
Bob
http://www.pbase.com/rashaw

Thank you everyone! So the minimum is 70 and maximum is 400mm for the soccer then? and 600mm is a no no for soccer . I got it . Thanks!

I've got another question .

if a want to take panorama picture of a concert and if it doesn't fit into one camera.
is there any way i can trigger 3 cameras at same time? wirelessly?

...Although, with a 600, you'll be able to take interesting images of the goal area... from the opposite one!

Depending on your location (on the pitch by the side line or on the stands) you'll need shorter or longer lenses, but the usual range is something between 200 and 400. My favorite lens for soccer is the 300 2.8, but shorter lenses can be used for closer action when 300 becomes too long. As you won't have time to change lenses, it is better to carry two bodies.

Fast lenses are also a must for nighttime games. Lenses slower than f4 become unusable by night, since you need to freeze action (shutter speed of 1/400 or faster...)

--
http://www.felipe-rodriguez.com

Bokeh

Dadme un mundo sin contornos,
Un espacio feliz que ignore los perfiles.
Concededme, sí, la dicha redonda
De flotar sin conciencia en el fondo
Desenfocado de mis fotografías.

Give me a world with no edges,
A happy space knowing nothing about outlines.
Grant me, please, the round joy
Of thoughtlessly floating on the blurred
Background of my photographs.