Which prime lens for low light action shots?

[floppy_G]

I like shooting sports and I am currently shooting with a Nikon AF 80-200mm f/2.8 on a D90.

As I often shoots ice hockey at a local rink with really bad lighting, I need a fast lens with all the light I can get. With the current setup, I frequently need to shoot at iso 3200 and f/2.8 to capture the action. However, it still won't work sometimes.

I am looking for a super fast prime at f/1.4 or f/1.8 which may help to deal with the problem. I am considering the 50mm 1.4G, 1.4D, or 1.8D, and also the 85mm 1.4D or 1.8D. One of the major concern is the focusing speed as I find my current lens occasionally had problems following the action. Anyone had experience using the prime lenses for actions shots? Which one will focus quicker?

Thanks.

 

[drifit]

becareful, you want fast focusing speed. larger aperture doesnt mean you have faster focusing speed. example, 85mm f/1.4 needs to turn more than 85mm f/1.8. thus, it needs more time.

f/2.8 lens shall provide enough light into AF module to perform fast. either you need to upgrade your 80-200 to Afs 70-200 or D300 for faster AF.

 

[zentenk]

Don't bother upgrading to the 70-200mm, all you're getting is the VR and the extra 10mm at the wide end. VR would be pretty much useless for you since you're shooting sports and won't be shooting at slow shutter speeds.

 

[Jogger]

It may be the body and AF module. Try out a D300s and see what happens. Also, those lenses you mention arent really replacements for the 80-200... they are inherently slower in AF as well.

I like shooting sports and I am currently shooting with a Nikon AF 80-200mm f/2.8 on a D90.

As I often shoots ice hockey at a local rink with really bad lighting, I need a fast lens with all the light I can get. With the current setup, I frequently need to shoot at iso 3200 and f/2.8 to capture the action. However, it still won't work sometimes.

I am looking for a super fast prime at f/1.4 or f/1.8 which may help to deal with the problem. I am considering the 50mm 1.4G, 1.4D, or 1.8D, and also the 85mm 1.4D or 1.8D. One of the major concern is the focusing speed as I find my current lens occasionally had problems following the action. Anyone had experience using the prime lenses for actions shots? Which one will focus quicker?

Thanks.

 

[Mannypr]

For what you explain I would dare say change the camera for a Nikon D300s. It has 51 focus points and users are all together on the virtuds of it's focusing speed and accuracy compared to the D90. In other words it's a much better camera for fast sports photography.

 

[spbStan]

If all 51 points are used the D300 is actually slower than the D90 using the center point. Ask the pros covering the event how they are doing it. The are probably using 9 point or center point, or what the sport photographers used to do, prefocus manually for the area of predicted action and not be slowed by AF at all. The only sure improvement in AF operation will be upgrading to the D3s which is designed for exactly what you are needing. Since it, and the D7000 coming out are able to shoot at smaller apertures and higher speed in the same light, than the D90/D300, focusing would be less of a problem if all else was equal. With a D3s all things are not equal however and even the low 85 1.4 focuses quickly on that camera. But would you really want 1 inch depth of field? A 70-200VR11 which can be sharp wide open and is very fast focusing would probably be better for action at 2.8 than a 85 at 1.4. I have the 85 1.4 and 70-200vr and find the 70-200 is a lot faster and has the FL needed for sports.

Being able to shoot at 12k/25k and get usable shots would certainly give more options.
--
Stan
St Petersburg Russia

 

[john in toronto]

Do yourself a favour and use manual focusing. Prefocus on a point on the ice and shoot when the action is there. You'll get a higher percentage of useable shots.

 

[hawksfan30]

this picture attached was shot with a d90-sigma 70 200mm-not a bad lens for hockey if you cant afford the 70 200 nikkor 2.8-ive since upgraded to that but you can get keepers with the siggy 70 200mm

 

[floppy_G]

Thanks for all the suggestions, esp. reminding me on the shallow depth of field which might be a problem. I use single spot AF and metering and find that gives me good results.

I was thinking of a fast prime lens as I found many of my shots (40%) are either too dark or too grainy. For auto focusing, I only have problem in

Will D700 be as good in focusing speed as a D3s? The D3s is a bit out of my budget.