What lens for shooting football?

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beechgrove2

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Claire
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Hi all

I have a Nikon D5200 with kit lens.

I need advice as to which lens would be best for taking photos of gaelic football. I only have about £600 to spend, so please advise what to go for.
 
Nikon 70-300 vr £400 new £250-300 SH
 
beechgrove2 said:
Hi, how good is this lens in capturing fast paced action? I read that Id be best going for a lens with f/2.8. Would this be right?
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You are not really going to get a 2.8 with the reach for that money
The 70-300 also has a active switch for fast sports, tack sharp and fast

Where they first came out 7 odd years ago they were £300, now £400+ sort of answers your question on if any good

I dropped and broke mine, gutted, and not seen anything else to replace it for the money
 
If you're pitchside then you should be able to get good stuff with a 70-200mm f2.8. At that price you're looking at one of the sigma variants. If you search hard and drop lucky you may find a used nikon 80-200mmf2.8, but make sure its the af-s version, do not buy the af-d, it'll focus too slowly.

Having a longer focal length would be nicer, but the 70-300mm is too slow at the long end, and only any use in the best light - not something I'd think you'll get to work in too often
 
Hell on earth said:
You are not really going to get a 2.8 with the reach for that money
The 70-300 also has a active switch for fast sports, tack sharp and fast

Where they first came out 7 odd years ago they were £300, now £400+ sort of answers your question on if any good

I dropped and broke mine, gutted, and not seen anything else to replace it for the money
Click to expand...

Where would be my best option to purchase? Amazon??? I really dont want to make the wrong choice as Im really hoping to get these photos right. Have just purchased the D5200, previously had the D3000. Have you any sample images on flickr that I could have a look at?

BTW, thanks for your reply :thumbs:
 
pooley said:
If you're pitchside then you should be able to get good stuff with a 70-200mm f2.8. At that price you're looking at one of the sigma variants. If you search hard and drop lucky you may find a used nikon 80-200mmf2.8, but make sure its the af-s version, do not buy the af-d, it'll focus too slowly.

Having a longer focal length would be nicer, but the 70-300mm is too slow at the long end, and only any use in the best light - not something I'd think you'll get to work in too often
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Hi Mike

Youre right, a lot of the games are late evening so lighting is difficult, even with flood lighting it proves difficult!

What would the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II be like?

I really am clueless about my next step!
 
400 2.8 and a 70-200 2.8. That should sort you out.
 
beechgrove2 said:
Where would be my best option to purchase? Amazon??? I really dont want to make the wrong choice as Im really hoping to get these photos right. Have just purchased the D5200, previously had the D3000. Have you any sample images on flickr that I could have a look at?

BTW, thanks for your reply :thumbs:
Click to expand...

There are often some on here for sale if you don't mind SH and will have photos from


low light and yes a 2.8 will be better but I was going by your budget :)
 
beechgrove2 said:
Hi Mike

Youre right, a lot of the games are late evening so lighting is difficult, even with flood lighting it proves difficult!

What would the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II be like?

I really am clueless about my next step!
Click to expand...

There are several variants of the sigma, but a bit of research should see you right regarding the order they were produced. The latest 'OS' version is supposed to be decent (not used it myself) although you won't use the actual 'OS' for action shots
 
You'll easily get a sigma 70-200 macro 1 version for that money. I got mine for £350 and its pin sharp and built like a tank.
 
Will you get the reach you need with a 70-200 shooting Gaelic? I use the 70-300 often and it had its limitations but a GAA pitch is way bigger and I struggle with filling the frame on a baseball sideline with some plays. I know I've not made it any easier but don't get fixated on 2.8 and forget everything else. Good luck! CJ
 
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