lens recommendation soccer

[pj1974]

I'd recommend the 70-300mm L - which is sharper (especially at the tele end), better AF, more contrast and superior IS and a bit 'faster' than the nonL lens at the same focal lengths.

On a crop body (eg T2i or 7D, etc) - it's effectively a 480mm, which- when having decent amount of MP (18MP) still allows a decent crop.

I find 70-200mm short for such outdoor sports, though of course the constant f/2.8 is handy for stopping action.

Otherwise going for a large prime (eg 300mm f/2.8 or 400mm f/2. is going to cost you a lot more money. I love my 70-300mm L for outdoor work... both occasional sports - and great as a walk around wildlife lens too.

Paul

[captainkanji]

I'm considering putting together a kit for reach with my 6D.  I'm looking at the 300 f/4 IS with 1.4 or the 400 5.6.  Im not sure which set up would give me the best sharpness.  I'm also planning on shooting indoor events where I may not be able to get close to the stage, which is why I considered the IS.  I'll be renting one of the lenses and was wondering if anyone had experience with either.

[lux]

Ok another update:  It has been 2 months until my eldest had a soccer game in the daytime without severe cloud cover.  So I tried a few combinations

6D 70-200 , 6D 70-200 with 1.4 III, 6d 100-400 and 2ti 100-400.

so here it goes.
6d 70-200 not enough reach for much of the field.  If close to where i'm stationed then fine but not really enough close predictable action.  Maybe good for infield baseball or indoor soccer.

6d 70-200 with 1.4 III.  better reach but still not enough and trading some decreased IQ and I just have a harder time holding it.  not sure why and  decreased focusing speed

2ti 100-400:  Too much reach for me at this point.  Maybe if I were better...I just need to see more of the action and then crop later as needed but the game just moves too fast

6d 100-400:  have to say in the end this was the clear winner in sufficient light.  Reach enough for most of the field.  The push pull is fast to change FOV and soccer is very unpredictable.  I wish it were better in low light but on a hazy bright day I shot at F4-5.6, ISO 400 and shutter speed never dropped below 1/1000 and often was higher.  Of course that means I'm going to need to buy this lens of a pal. 

Yes I know that the 300 2.8 with 1.4iii or 400 2.8 would be better but so would a 1dx and I don't have that kind of cash.  I might rent an older model 300 2.8 for fun one of these days but even those are >3.5K to purchase and for $55 a  weekend I could rent it for 4-5 weekends a year for the next 15 years for less money than buying a used one.

I know that a lot of people complain about the push pull but I can quickly move from about 200 to 400 and follow the action.  I imagine in a more predictable sport that would be less beneficial. 

well anyway, that's the current state of affairs

[lux]

bump

thoughts?

[rizenphoenix]

why not both? 6d+70-200 will give you awesome, high IQ shots when your subjects are close enough. Have the 75-300 on the t2i as a second body, IQ won't be as great but you'll have the reach for shots on the other side of the field!

+1

That's exactly what I was thinking.