what lens for indoor sports photography?

Younster10 · Mar 15, 2012

Hi all

I have a nikon d3100 and I love to shoot sports like volleyball basketball but also football. I have only one problem: my two lenses aren't fit for this job. I have a 18-105 VR kit lens and a 50mm f1.8. The kit-lens isn't fast enough and de 50mm isn't close enough to the subject.

What lenses do you suggest for me? my budget is max 1000 which is realy the maximum. The brand doesn't mather (Nikon, Sigma, Samyang, Tamron, ...) and prime or zoom all is good.

Does someone have any suggestions?

Thanks all!!

PRW_Photo · Mar 15, 2012

The new 85/1.8G AF-S would be an obvious choice, around $500.

You might be able to pick up a used third-party 70-200/2.8 zoom for under $1000. Just make sure it has the built-in focusing motor ("HSM" for Sigma, not sure about others).

A lot will depend on the lighting available where you're shooting. Some say that even an f2.8 zoom isn't enough and you need to stick with primes.

Paul Wossidlo
http://www.PaulRichardWossidlo.com

Younster10 · Mar 15, 2012

thanks for your fast respons.

I like the 85mm also because of the aperture but on my d3100 it's only around 120mm focal lengt. is that enough you think?

PRW_Photo · Mar 15, 2012

Is it enough? Well, that depends on where you are. If you're up in the stands, it probably isn't going to be of much use. If you've tried to use your 18-105 in the past, and found it got you close enough, then the 85 should work OK too.

Paul Wossidlo
http://www.PaulRichardWossidlo.com

Younster10 said:
thanks for your fast respons.

I like the 85mm also because of the aperture but on my d3100 it's only around 120mm focal lengt. is that enough you think?

sebastian73 · Mar 15, 2012

A used AFS 80-200 f2.8 or the AFS 70-200 f2.8 VRI lens would be great for indoor sports. These fast zooms have a much more useful range with your Nikon D3100.
--

Nikon D3s, AFS 16-35/4.0G, AFS 35mm/1.4G, AFS 24-70/2.8G, AFS 85mm/1.4G, AFS 105mm/2.8VR, AFS 70-200/2.8VRII, AFS 200/2.0VR, TC-1.4E II, TC-2.0E III, SB-800

Gitzo GT3541LS tripod with Markins M20, Gitzo GM3551 monopod with RRS MH-01 head

Younster10 · Mar 15, 2012

yes they are indeed way much better in focal length but the price is disadvantage of those lenses. I think I might get a 85mm f1.8G and wait with buying such a 'pro'lens.

thanks for the responses

ZinMe · Mar 15, 2012

I have the 85mm 1.8D and use it as my primary lens for basketball and volleyball with a D300. I also have the 80-200 f2.8 AFS, which I just bought used recently. I ahve not tried it for indoor sports yet, however, I still think I will use the 85mm1.8D more often because I am usually able to get right on the side of the court, and because lighting conditions are usually so bad, that I need the extra stop. If you have good lighting in the gyms where you shoot, the 80-200 should be a good choice for about $1000 used. The only problem is that it isn't acceptably sharp in my opinion at f2.8, it needs to be at f3.2-3.5. This may be Ok depending on the light situation.

Younster10 · Mar 15, 2012

thank you for the confirmation of the 85mm. However I'm not always capable of getting to the side of the playfield I think this lens will be my choice.

Thanks a lot for you information!!

Brian M.29071 · Mar 15, 2012

Try to find a used Sigma f/2.8 70-200 HSM II (non-os/vr). It should cost you around $500-$600. super fast AF, good sharpness @ f/2.8.. gets even better around f/4.

However... I shoot a lot of high school indoor sports. A 70-200mm will work if your up in the stands, but down close to the action you'll need something wider. I've had GREAT results with a 50mm prime shooting basketball.

There isn't such a thing as a great all-in-one sports lens... i say find the range you can live with and buy it

Alnitak · Mar 15, 2012

sebastian73 said:
A used AFS 80-200 f2.8 or the AFS 70-200 f2.8 VRI lens would be great for indoor sports. These fast zooms have a much more useful range with your Nikon D3100.
--

Agreed. I shoot a lot of indoor sports (mainly basketball, volleyball)and activities (e.g., plays) and have used the 85mm (both 1.8 and 1.4), 50mm f/1.4 and 35mm f/2, and my goto lens is my 70-200 VR1.

Alnitak · Mar 15, 2012

BTW, if you shoot at f/1.8 the percentage of keepers will go down. The AF and narrow DoF, combined with the speed of the game, will result in a number of "misses" (e.g., shoulder in focus rather than the eyes) whereas the f/2.8 gives you some operating room.

Reid133934 · Mar 15, 2012

I'm using the 85mm f/1.8D on my D90 for volleyball and it works very well. I use a 50m F/1.8D as well. Most gyms, unless they are college facilities, do not have enough light for a f/2.8 zoom. I set my D90 on shutter priority at 1/500 with an ISO of 1600 or 2000 and shoot away. It works great. I wish a 70-200 f/2.8 (by any manufacturer) would work but the light just isn't there.

sebastian73 · Mar 16, 2012

I think the 85mm F1.8G is a good lens for a DX cam.

But as I see in one of your posts, you have no real fast zoom. Therefore for your limit of $1000 I see a used 70-200 VRI or a AFS 80-200 as a more useful lens generally for indoor sports. Both lenses are sharp already wide open.
--

Nikon D3s, AFS 16-35/4.0G, AFS 35mm/1.4G, AFS 24-70/2.8G, AFS 85mm/1.4G, AFS 105mm/2.8VR, AFS 70-200/2.8VRII, AFS 200/2.0VR, TC-1.4E II, TC-2.0E III, SB-800

Gitzo GT3541LS tripod with Markins M20, Gitzo GM3551 monopod with RRS MH-01 head

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what lens for indoor sports photography?

Younster10

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