Prime Lens for Sports

[allstar25]

I am looking into buying a prime for mainly sport use. I shoot a lot of baseball and softball with the occasional indoor volleyball. What do y'all suggest for my next purchase after i buy the 70-200 f/2.8? This lens may also be used not just for sports but also for family and town events/parades.

Thanks,
Trent

 

[Randy]

I am looking into buying a prime for mainly sport use. I shoot a lot of baseball and softball with the occasional indoor volleyball. What do y'all suggest for my next purchase after i buy the 70-200 f/2.8? This lens may also be used not just for sports but also for family and town events/parades.

Thanks,
Trent

300/4 or 300/2.8

 

[RKnecht]

IMO, while the 70-200 will be fine for general use, for sports it will fall short. A 300/4 would be fine, but a 300 2.8 would be hard to beat.

 

[Jewson]

Yet another vote for the 300 F2.8. . Works very well with TC's if extra reach is needed. . .

 

[Sgt Soldier Blue]

I'm going to suggest a lens that most others will tell you not to use: the Nikon 80-400VR. I have the 70-200VR and find it to be too "short". I also have the 300 f4, but I prefer the versatility of a zoom. I know it's a little slow to AF, but for many years I've shot soccer, softball, and now college level football with the 80-400. The lens is too slow for indoor sports. I would suggest an 85 f1.4 or 1.8 lens for indoor sports.

 

[MMRadman]

I am looking into buying a prime for mainly sport use. I shoot a lot of baseball and softball with the occasional indoor volleyball. What do y'all suggest for my next purchase after i buy the 70-200 f/2.8? This lens may also be used not just for sports but also for family and town events/parades.

Thanks,
Trent

First of all what is your budget (unless of course such things are not discussed in lens lust) another mportant consideration is whether you shoot in good outdor conditions, i.e. dayllight or dingy lit sports hall, also what is your willingness to lug around pounds of kit

Whithout knowing any of the above i would recommand shorter prime, for example indoor action taken with 85 f1.4 AFD at 1/500sec and f1.4 in shutter priority with appaling indoor light (colour and brightness)...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/17002757@N08/2605084303/

 

[allstar25]

First of all what is your budget (unless of course such things are not discussed in lens lust) another mportant consideration is whether you shoot in good outdor conditions, i.e. dayllight or dingy lit sports hall, also what is your willingness to lug around pounds of kit

Whithout knowing any of the above i would recommand shorter prime, for example indoor action taken with 85 f1.4 AFD at 1/500sec and f1.4 in shutter priority with appaling indoor light (colour and brightness)...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/17002757@N08/2605084303/

My budget is pretty low right now. About $1000 or so. The 300 f/4 falls within that. I'm still keeping my options open right now. The 300 f/2.8 is out of the question right now money wise.

I generally shoot in very good daylight unless there is a lot of cloud cover or something. I don't care about the weight. That isn't an issue.

Thanks so far for all of your suggestions...

 

[kiwi]

If you are buying the 70-200 (Sigma ?) anyhow, why not just add a Kenko Pro 1.4TC to get almost a 300 F/4 anyhow ? You should be able to manage thsi on $1000 almost.

Won't be quite as sharp as a 300 F/4 but much cheaper and more versatile combination

 

[allstar25]

If you are buying the 70-200 (Sigma ?) anyhow, why not just add a Kenko Pro 1.4TC to get almost a 300 F/4 anyhow ? You should be able to manage thsi on $1000 almost.

Won't be quite as sharp as a 300 F/4 but much cheaper and more versatile combination

Good point. Yea I'm getting the Sigma version. So the Kenko Pro 1.4TC works on the Sigma lens?

 

[kiwi]

Good point. Yea I'm getting the Sigma version. So the Kenko Pro 1.4TC works on the Sigma lens?

I cant say definatively, I had issues with my Kenko on my Siggy 120-300, but it was fine on my Nikon 80-200, it may be OK, or may not.

I have A Sigma 1.4Tc that matches well.

 

[allstar25]

I might just stick to the Sigma 1.4 TC to be sure.

 

[eng45ine]

If you want a long prime, but can't afford a newer version, begin searching for a Nikon 300mm f/2.8 AF ED, these sell for just over $1,000 in nice condition. You won't be using it indoors, but it works fine outdoors.

 

[allstar25]

Thanks.

 

[arela]

An alternative could be a 180mm f/2.8 a 1,4 x teleconverter gives you both a fast 180mm and a good 252mm.
(but i have to admit, a 300mm is on my shortlist!)