Lens For sports photography

[Craig2008]

I am thinking of getting a lens for shooting some sport images football and rugby and am after some advice of which one to get. I currently have a Tamron AF 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 LD Aspherical(IF) macro that I will probably use until I can afford a better one. I unfortunately I don’t have huge amounts of cash to splash around; I would think my top price range would be around £650 once I have saved up!

Many thanks

Craig

[andrewc]

Sigma 100-300 f4 EX

[percymon]

What focal length are you trying to get too ?

Cropped sensor body ??


Canon 70-200 f4 L would fit inside the budget, even with a 1.4x convertor.


Maybe a second hand Sigma 80-400 Opt Stabilised , or a new Tokina 80-400mm, might be worth a look.

[Craig2008]

Sorry, never done sport so not really sure about the ideal focal lenght i need.

The lens is to go on a nikon d200

[Steveo_Hants]

Sigma 70-200mm f2.8. If you are shooting football and rugby in the UK you will need f2.8 without a doubt.

[andrewc]

Will a 200 f2.8 be long enough?

[Steveo_Hants]

I used to use a sigma 70-200 for non-league football and achieved good results, good enough to be published put it that way.

[whitey]

i would recommend the 100-300 to, goes down to F4 which should be enough IMO

never done sports but its a fantastic sharp lens

[Steveo_Hants]

Trust me, f4 is not going to be enough! At football in the middle of winter its not long after kick off that the light fades very quickly.

[whitey]

i never actually though of that in all honesty sorry. i was thinking of around now

[NorthernNikon]

goes down to F4 which should be enough IMO ...
never done sports

If you've never done sports ... http://www.photoportal2.org.uk/ppforum/Smileys/animated/rolleyes.gif

f/2.8 is a minimum for sports. A 70/80-200mm is plenty long enough provided you're close to the action i.e. touchline rather than terracing. On bright sunny days you migh add a TC but you should be fine with that. Go for a good second hand one and you'll be fine.

[Steveo_Hants]

i never actually though of that in all honesty sorry. i was thinking of around now

No need to be sorry mate, if you never done that type of togging you wouldn't think of those types of things!

[whitey]

No need to be sorry mate, if you never done that type of togging you wouldn't think of those types of things!

i was trying to think of a dark day i done some motorsports (different i know) but i managed ok with F4 and it was pretty dark, just thought it may have been similar but after thinking about it dont think it is lol

[StuartH]

I have used the sigma 100-300mm f4 through summer and winter for a football clubs pics and was fine for me..used to use the 70-200mm but longed for more reach..

[Flash In The Pan]

I'd recommend something like a Nikon 80-200 f/2.8. For around the same price as a Sigma you get a proper, well-built Nikon pro lens, which will take a 1.4x Kenko TC, if you need the extra reach.To be fair I'm not a fan of TCs, but the results are "acceptable".

[GAELICSTORM7]

70-200 f4 would be workable, just bump up the ISO a little and of course it is Canon glass so the images will be much nicer than through Sigma glass (JOKING !)

Alan

[mrgubby]

I used my Tamron 28-300 /f6.3 to shoot football during the winter without any problems, never had anybody complain about the results :shrug:

[Craig2008]

Hi All,

Thanks for the advice i think i will go for the Nikon 80-200 f/2.8. just need to start saving now.

Craig