PLEASE help choosing a lens for sports shots!!!

[Mlcarawan]

I just purchased a Nikon d3100 and I'm trying to decide on a lens in addition to the 18-55 that came with it. Im looking for one to take shots of my kids playing volleyball and basketball. I'm trying to decide if the 55-200mm is enough or if I should spend a little more and get the 55-300mm. My thoughts were the latter would do the job of 2 lenses and in the long run save money. I've also seen 70-300mm but I'm worried about the gap between 55 and 70.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!!

 

[subscuck]

You'll need faster lenses than those for shooting indoor sports.

 

[analog.universe]

I'm not familiar with the Nikon lens lineup, but you should keep in mind that focal length is one of many variables to consider in lens selection. The more a lens zooms, the harder it is to get decent optical quality from it. 200/55 is a little under 4x, 300/55 is like 5.5x. Most quality zooms are not more than 3x... as a general rule, there are certainly exceptions. Another factor to consider is maximum aperture, especially if you're shooting sports. The larger the aperture (smaller f/number), the more light you let in, which allows you to use a faster shutter speed, very important in sports photography.

Welcome to Photozone! has a nice selection of comprehensive lens reviews. They do lab comparisons of a number of the optical qualities of each lens, as well as a few written paragraphs about build quality, value, and competing lenses.

 

[tirediron]

What is the most you can afford to spend? As mentioned neither of those lenses (because of their slow maximum aperture) is up to shooting indoor sports. The venue may seem brightly lit to you, but it won't to your cameara.

 

[Hardrock]

Maybe look at some prime lens 85, 135, and 200. All of those prime lens will be faster than a zoom. For volleyball and basketball the 85 f1.8 may be your best bet.

 

[Mlcarawan]

Today 08:24 AMtirediron
What is the most you can afford to spend? As mentioned neither of those lenses (because of their slow maximum aperture) is up to shooting indoor sports. The venue may seem brightly lit to you, but it won't to your cameara.


I haven't decided on the most I'll spend. Just depends on the versatility of the lens I buy. The more limited use I'll get from it the less I'm willing to spend.

 

[jdag]

I would not be at all concerned about the gap between 55 and 70. There are several options, in approximate order of cost:

1) 55-200 VR
2) 55-300 VR
3) 70-300 VR
4) Jump up to a "fast" f/2.8 zoom such as the Nikon 70-200, Nikon 80-200, Tamron 70-200, or Sigma 70-200...you are looking at anywhere from about $750 used to $2,500 new. However, these lenses are going to be much more valuable for sports, particularly indoor sports.

Check out the Nikon Store for refurbs (you can get the 55-200 for $150 or the 7-300 for $400, so very little risk if you want to sell it down the line).
Nikon Store - Refurbished Lenses

As was stated, a fast prime might also be a consideration for you.

 

[Mlcarawan]

What is the most you can afford to spend? As mentioned neither of those lenses (because of their slow maximum aperture) is up to shooting indoor sports. The venue may seem brightly lit to you, but it won't to your cameara.

Depends on the versatility of the lens. The more things I can use if for the more likely I'd be willing to spend more. Would the lens also be suitable for outdoors shots? I also like to do beach shots.

 

[subscuck]

I would not be at all concerned about the gap between 55 and 70. There are several options, in approximate order of cost:

1) 55-200 VR
2) 55-300 VR
3) 70-300 VR

These aren't options. They're too slow.

4) Jump up to a "fast" f/2.8 zoom such as the Nikon 70-200, Nikon 80-200, Tamron 70-200, or Sigma 70-200...you are looking at anywhere from about $750 used to $2,500 new. However, these lenses are going to be much more valuable for sports, particularly indoor sports.

With the ISO cranked, maybe.

OP, as already stated, what you need is a fast prime or two. The 85 1.8 is a good place to start. Over the years I've known several people who've used this lens to photograph their kids sports. Be mindful that you'll need a fast shutter speed, so even with a 1.8 or 1.4, you'll still most likely have to shoot at higher ISO.

 

[subscuck]

Depends on the versatility of the lens. The more things I can use if for the more likely I'd be willing to spend more. Would the lens also be suitable for outdoors shots? I also like to do beach shots.

Welcome to the expensive world of photography! Sometimes you have to spend the money on lenses for a single purpose (sports, portaiture, macro, etc.).

 

[Dao]

My friend usually use the 85mm lens with a full frame body on a monopod for his daughter volleyball games. The results are not bad.

(He has the 70-200 f/2.8 IS lens, but 85mm lens was the one he used most)

 

[Mlcarawan]

Thanks for all your help and pointing me in the right direction! One more question, I've played with my 18-55 and can't zoom in close enough for my liking. Will an 85mm make enough of a difference? I'd like to be able to get some of the facial expressions.

 

[subscuck]

85mm is pretty tight on a crop body. Equivalent FOV is about 128mm. However, it all depends on how close/far you are. You can always use your feet to zoom...

 

[oldmacman]

I'm not a Nikon shooter, but I do use an 85 1.8 and a 50 1.8 for indoor sports. I understand your quandary about finding another purpose for the lens. I have a few points on that: 1) balance image quality (results) and what you are willing to spend. 2) A prime lens is great for all kinds of shots. It may be prime in focal length, but you still have aperture control so that other lighting conditions are possible, like the beach. The 85mm is also a nice portrait lens. 3) You can zoom a prime lens by moving your feet

Just my $.02.

 

[KmH]

Where will you be shooting from, the bleachers, or courtside?

Shooting action sports is one of the more difficult types of photography to do. As mentioned the camera doesn't see like you do and shooting indoors is considered a low-light situation.

That means you need a lens(s) that can open to a wide aperture, which is one of the factors that drives lens cost up.

For indoor court sports I use 2 lenses, and 2 camera bodies. I use the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens

and the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens For Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

There are less expensive AF, but not AF-S, wide aperture lenses that can do the job, but they don't have a focus motor in them, and when mounted on your D3100 you would have to manually focus them. They will auto focus on the Nikon D90 and up, because those cameras have the screw drive that moves the AF mechanism in as AF lens.

Those are the Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0D IF AF Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

and the

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras