What lens for indoor Sports?

[EricGuzman]

I am looking for advice from fuji experts, I am on a transition from Nikon to Fuji, I still have my D750 plus some good lenses. I own now the X-T2 + 23 2.0 +35 2.0+ 18-55 kit lens, the major reason to try the fuji, is portability (lighter!), so far, I have been impressed with the quality of the fuji glass. Today, I went to a basketball game and borrowed a friend's 55-200, I had to bump the ISO to 10000 to be able to get some keepers (on continues autofocus). Overall, I was not impressed , the D750 + tamron 70-200 G2 looks to be far more suitable for indoor sports (at the cost of breaking your back of course). Perhaps I still don't know how to manage the X-T2 ?.

So, here is the question, would I be getting a much better performance from the 50-140 2.8?, what are you guys using for indoor sports?., what would be the optimal settings -T2?

Thanks

Eric

 

[baobob]

First have a good to

http://fujifilm-x.com/af/en/af_mode/index.html

and to 120 Xpert tips for XT2 book

The AF of 55-200mm is not the fastest of all XF lenses

Sure the 2.8 50-140 could be faster (try it first, rent one for a WE)

Normally you should be able to shoot 3200 to 6400 iso without problem with the 55-200mm

The esssential point is setting AFC to the optimum given the environment and the type of sport. XT2 does a good job when the configuration of AF is correct

Nikon is definitly better in AFC and tracking (I had a 7200)

 

[Iuvenis]

I’d recommend either the 50-140 or the 90 f2. The latter is my current choice, as although it’s not as flexible in theory, it crops to a 140 f2.8 equivalent nicely and is a stop faster at 90. It’s also much lighter. However, most probably do prefer the 50-140.

The 55-200 isn’t really an indoor sports lens, though it’s better than nothing. I’d have thought the 50-140 plus 1.4 converter would be faster in focusing if you need the reach.

 

[baobob]

Iuvenis wrote:thought the 50-140 plus 1.4 converter would be faster in focusing if you need the reach.

You then loose 1 stop not sure the AF will be faster that has to be checked, given the price tag of the combo

The 100-400mm has a very fast AF alone, especially at the lower FL if such a reach is needed

 

[EricGuzman]

baobab,

Thank you for the detailed reply and recommendations , I will give it a try.

 

[sam12]

The gym you are in must be very dark. I shoot at college level and was able to get the following 5 shots with the 55-200 lens set to 55mm at 3.5 4000iso 1/640 second. These were some experimental shot with this lens. have shot a few games with it now. The last shot is shot with the 35 f2.0 wide open at 3200 iso 1/800 second. Again experimenting for the fun of it and to get a different look.

 

[DJ2014]

I use the 50-140 f2.8 and very happy with results

 

[brokenhat]

The 50-140 is the ONLY choice IMHO. Fast, a good zoom range and the all important IS.

 

[G3_4_ME]

Image stabilization for sports is irrelevant because higher shutter speeds are required to adequately freeze the action. I shoot 1/1000 for indoor and outdoor sports including hockey, soccer, water skiing and my agile dog.

When I shot Sony A-mount, I used the 70-200 f2.8 for sports - it was great. When I switched to Fuji, the natural choice was 50-140 f2.8. But the lure of the 90 f2 was too great - the images from the lens are amazing and the extra stop helps in dimly lit municipal arenas. Shooting sports with a prime does require a different strategy, being aware of your sweet spot radius and it works just fine for me. I don't need 100% coverage of an rink/floor/pitch nor do I need to cover 100% of the action all the time. Since getting the 90 f2, I've shot ~8 games and captured nearly 1000 wonderful shots of each player. Last summer, I shot ~6 outdoor soccer games with the 35 f1.4 and netted even more fantastic shots [the 35 f1.4 was all I had at the time].

The 90 f2 shines for indoor sports. It focuses fast and renders well. I look forward to using it for outdoor sports and for well lit portraits. It is the best lens I've ever owned.

If I was being paid to shoot indoor sports, I'd likely get the 50-140.

Below are a few samples from my 90 f2.

--
Marc




uncropped




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cropped to 4808x3205

 

[EricGuzman]

Yes, I had two problems, poor light and I was not able to get too close to the action, so I was shooting most of the time at 200, even at ISO 10000, I was not able to get more than 1/250. I will keep trying, and see if I can improve, looks like you got the technique well managed. Thanks for sharing your pics, they look what I am hoping for.

 

[LASwede]

I have used the 55-200 since it came out, and have been able to get some great images with it. I have however recently purchased the 50-140/2.8 and that is the lens I currently use for indoor sports. Very happy with it.