Help me decide on a new lens for indoor sports

[dkhillerud]

I have been doing a fair amount of research on lens to use for indoor sports in poor gym lighting. Just can't make a decision. Looking to take photos of my daughters winter color guard shows.

My top choices right now are the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 or the Nikon 85 f/1.8G. Need to stay under $1000, I am a mom talking pictures of my kids, not a professional. The Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 is out of budget.

The more research I do, the more confused I get. Both are recommended, but for both I've read they are slow to auto focus and thus, not good for sports. Not sure if that is true or not?

Any other options that I am missing? I have a Nikon D5100, so most older lens won't auto focus on my camera.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[HPS3]

I vote for the Tamron 70-200. I've shot with the 85G on a D600 and I cant see it focusing any faster than the Tamron. I've seen football and basketball shot with the Tamron. It might not be as fast as the Nikon 70-200 but with practice I dont see you having any trouble. You could also pick up a Sigma 70-200 used for around $1000 and that would give you the USM.

 

[photo_chick]

You know, it wasn't all that long ago that we didn't even have auto focus. With practice and anticipation you can nail the focus manually if the AF doesn't cut it.

 

[wbeem]

Sports photography is one of the areas where gear does matter. As you've noted, the action is fast and the light is low. That's why you need fast glass and fast auto-focus.

That's not to say you can't capture a nice photo using the lower-priced gear, but you should realize that you're going to be spending a lot of time getting frustrated by blurry photos or even missed shots because it can't focus on some of the action.

You'll have to change your strategy about shooting. If the action is running side to side, you have less chance of the auto-focus locking on a subject. If you can move along the sidelines to where the action happens (assuming it doesn't quickly break away), you can probably get some decent shots. Those moments will come and go during any game, though.

The 70-200 obviously gives you more range and the 85 f/1.8 gives you more low-light capability. It doesn't let you have as much control over your composition, since you're at a fixed focal length pretty much at the same perspective on the sideline.

I'd go for the 70-200. More flexibility.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

If you can stretch the budget to $1249, there's the Sigma 70-200. It has os and the hyper-sonic motor for fast focus. I have used this lens with good success for the past four years. I am a motor sports photographer and take my gear where others cringe (sometimes me too). It has held up well with no issues.

 

[mcraige]

I did a quick search and found the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM Large Aperture Macro Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras on Amazon.com for $899. I'm not sure if this is the exact lens you are looking for, but the price is within your budget.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

This is the older iteration. A note states there is a free upgrade to the HSM II version. This is the version I have. This also is the non-OS version. There is some question as for the need for OS for sports because of the fast shutter speeds used for sports. My camera body has stabilization (Pentax) so for me it wasn't an issue. I do use it for things other than sports.

 

[dkhillerud]

I bought the Tamron. I purchased it locally, so have 30 days to return. Just a quick drive to the store to return, no questions asked, no restocking fee sealed the deal for me.

This is one BIG lens. Makes me a little nervous! Can't see that I would use it for anything other than sporting events so makes me question my decision just a little bit. That being said, it should work well for a lot of different sports and I have four kids who all do different things so I'm sure it will get used.

My daughter has a competition this weekend so I will test it out and see how it goes! Thanks for the input!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Congratulations on the new lens. If you are going to use it extensively or for a long time every outing, I would recommend a strap that attaches to the tripod mount like the Black Rapid strap. Otherwise, hanging it around your neck and because your camera will be front heavy, it will not be comfortable. With a strap that attaches to the tripod mount, it balances at your side. It makes it much easier to carry around. When I'm working a race, I carry two bodies w/vertical battery grips, one with the 70-200 and the other with a 100-300 f4 lens. Both are attached at the tripod mounts. Without that system, I would not be able to carry them all day. Just a thought.