Canon lens for sports photography

[JosephLund]

I am a young photographer and i am looking to get into sports photography. I have a Canon 600d, standard kit lens and an ultra wide angle. I am looking for a budget lens i could use to photograph a local football club and rugby club. Any suggestions as to what I should invest in? Or any tips/advice?

 

[Overread]

Define "budget" as a rough value you're thinking of since budget means very different things to different people .

 

[manicmike]

About as budget friendly as you're going to get would be the Nikon 70-300.

 

[table1349]

About as budget friendly as you're going to get would be the Nikon 70-300.

And that works on a Canon body how?

 

[JosephLund]

My budget is under £500 as tight as it may be

 

[JosephLund]

Second hand is an option, but i would prefer to buy brand new.

 

[Overread]

For that budget and going new I'd say the Canon 70-200mm f4 L might be your best bet
Canon EF 70-200mm f4L USM Lens best price £479.00 - UK stock - Camera Price Buster - Canon Photography Price Comparison (amazon are generally very safe and the WEX store is very reliable)

Whilst it hasn't got the reach that a 70-300mm lens might offer you are already on a crop sensor so you get a little narrower an angle of view as compared to fullframe. In addition you've also get to use a high end lens that won't show too much degradation at the longer end (the 70-300mm lenses are typically getting a little softer at their 300mm end).

I'd also have a look at the 70-300mm market if you can, there might be a suitable option in this price range (I've only ever used a lower end 70-300mm and that hasn't seen any use in years since I got my 70-200mm) and having the reach can be important at times (although with the 600D and a good lens like the 70-200mm L you will have a capacity to crop without losing too much quality).

 

[David444]

.

 

[Overread]

I don't know the second hand market all that well, but if there is a chance then the f2.8 is well worth going after! Whilst the image quality isn't much different, the increased f2.8 aperture allows you a whole stop more light into the camera which helps a lot when you need faster shutter speeds for action in dimmer lighting conditions and further helps all the time with more light for improved AF performance.

 

[table1349]

Second hand is an option, but i would prefer to buy brand new.

The reality of the situation on your budget is really fairly simple. You either buy slow, consumer grade glass (not a great option) or you buy second hand. Your budget in not such that you will likely find a good condition, used 70-200 f2.8 Canon lens. You could look for a used Sigma 70-200 f2.8 in good condition for your budget and if you get lucky you might even find one new.

Sports photography is very demanding on the photographer as well as the gear. I shoot sports and easily have $30,000.00 in glass and not one lens is slower than f2.8. Bare bones basic requirements to cover most sport situations would be along the following lines.

70-200mm f2.8
50mm or 85mm for indoor sports.

Long glass 300mm or 400mm if possible for field sports.



A good lens lineup would be as follows and allow you to cover virtually anything.

Generally for indoor court sport use
35mm f1.4
50mm f1.4
80mm f1.8
100mm f2


70-200mm f2.8 (Probably the workhorse even though it is often on a second body indoors and out)

Field Sports
200mm f2.0 (indoor and some field sports under the lights)
300mm f2.8
400mm f2.8


Additionally you might want to look at an ultra wide. I use a Tokina 11-16 f2.8 on a crop frame 3rd body for unique perspective shots.
A 24-70 f2.8 is useful for pregame/post game and close sideline emotion shots.

If you are serious about this you might want to consider renting lenses for events and start saving your money. Good glass does not come cheap and if taken care of can last a lifetime.

 

[manicmike]

About as budget friendly as you're going to get would be the Nikon 70-300.

And that works on a Canon body how?

Doh. Didn't even realize he said Canon.

 

[JosephLund]

Okay, I have reviewed some of my choices and i find that the

Canon EF 70-200mm f4L USM Lens ​

may be my best bet. Although the F4 may be a problem? Would this lens work with the 600d well? And would this lens be suitable for some very minor league football (soccer) in day with soft light/hard light conditions and under flood lights?

 

[David444]

.

 

[TCampbell]

Okay, I have reviewed some of my choices and i find that the

Canon EF 70-200mm f4L USM Lens ​

may be my best bet. Although the F4 may be a problem? Would this lens work with the 600d well? And would this lens be suitable for some very minor league football (soccer) in day with soft light/hard light conditions and under flood lights?

The aperture size limits the amount of light that can pass through the lens while the shutter is open. The lower the focal ratio of the lens, the more light it can collect. An f/2.8 lens collects TWICE as much light as compared to an f/4 lens when used at the maximum aperture size (which translates into being able to shoot at a faster shutter speed OR being able to shoot at the same shutter speed, but with less available light.)

Outdoor daytime shooting, f/4 is easy. You'll have no problem.

f/2.8 lenses are highly desirable for night sports under artificial field lighting.

Since a rugby field is large, a LONG lens is highly desirable but prohibitively expensive. Sports photography is relatively demanding on the budget ... it tends to want the most expensive gear.

Basically what you WANT (if you could just have any lens you wanted and the price didn't matter) would probably be a 400mm f/2.8 lens. However, affording that might entail things such as giving up food and shelter to afford to pay for the lens.

With a 200mm lens, you'll be running up and down the sidelines trying to follow the action -- otherwise you're subjects will be tiny when they're at the far end of the field.

 

[grafxman]

If you can find one, you might consider a Sigma 50-500mm. The older non stabilised versions can be found for $700 to $900 depending on their condition here in the US. I noticed there's one at amazon now for $850US. That's about £555. I've been using the newer version of that lens with a stabilizer and absolutely love it to bits. In my experience it's versatility is simply unsurpassed by any other lens for all round outdoor work.