Lense recomendation for sports photos

[javirulo]

Hi,

I'm a total newbie with camera lenses + zoom. This week I'm going to attend the Real Madrid Champion's League fixture and I'm wondering if it were possble to get any decent shots without a super-expensive lense.

I asked someone and they recommended at least 500mm with a stabalizer, but that is at least 1000 euros. The most I could spend is 600, preferably less if it's enough to get decent shots (at least for posting on the Web).

Any suggestions?

Thanks! :lmao:

 

[edouble]

+200mm +f2.8 or +200mm with high iso settings. There really isn't a equal substitution for focal length and large aperture lenses without photo quality comprises.

 

[javirulo]

edouble .. thanks, so maybe best to go with most zoom (since players will be far away) possible and max iso?

 

[edouble]

edouble .. thanks, so maybe best to go with most zoom (since players will be far away) possible and max iso?

Yes that is one option. You will more than likely want to crop a photo or two in post processing and this is where you will really notice the artifacts from high iso. Like I said long focal length combined with large aperture is always best for fast action sports photography especially in a poorly lit stadium.

Check out your local camera store to see if you can rent the expensive lens that you need. I have done that in the past.

There are lots of posts on this forum about this. Research it and you will find more helpful advice.

 

[CNCO]

what did you end up buying? you could try renting something for a night.

 

[Fate]

yeah above posts are good shouts.

I would usually carry a 300 with me and a teleconverter.

 

[gsgary]

They won't let you in with a camera and a big lens unless you are accredited

 

[javirulo]

Hi all,

A friend of mine lent me one of his lenses. It was a (up to) 200mm 2.8f (I think). It's a pretty big lens (not huge like the photographers on the sidelines). They let me in, no problem.

I was pretty far from the action, up pretty high. Nevertheless the camera took some fairly decent pictures when you view full size and crop. Obviously at that distance I couldn't take anything great but when players weren't moving much I got some clear images.

Here is one cropped:

http://www.thegalacticos.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/benzema_ronaldo_hug.jpg

I have about €600 eur to spend on a lens (for canon), any suggestions appreciated. I know it's not much!