lens advice please - sports

Perfect fit

hi all, abit of advice please, i currently have a canon 400d ut want to invest in a lens for high quality sports images mainly for fast combat sports sports such as mixed martial arts, boxing etc. I will probably have to take out a loan to get it so nothing to expensive, more for the man on a budget,

thanks in advance

Ricky91t

probably help if you tell us a budget..Maybe a canon 50mm f/1.8 but before i recommend other lenses a budget would help.

City-Exile

You'd need some reach, so minimum 200mm
You'll also need a "fast" lens, because the sports you mention are usually contested indoors. That would mean f/2.8
If you had any scope to make money from photography, you would be advised to invest in a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, or equivalent lens.

Fajitas!

Perfect fit wrote: »

I will probably have to take out a loan to get it so nothing to expensive, more for the man on a budget,

City-Exile wrote: »

You'd need some reach, so minimum 200mm
You'll also need a "fast" lens, because the sports you mention are usually contested indoors. That would mean f/2.8
If you had any scope to make money from photography, you would be advised to invest in a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, or equivalent lens.

70-200 2.8 isn't really ideal for a budget lens, unless you're looking at taking out a loan of a grand+++

OP, have a look at the Canon 50mm 1.8 for about 100 quid, and the Canon 85mm 1.8 for about 350 if I'm remembering right.

If you're getting closer to the ring, you might want to check out the Canon 28mm 2.8 or Sigma 30mm 1.4 - Both are about 350 I think.

If your budget goes above that, then check out the 70-200 - Both Canon and Sigma do a version, the Sigma being a lot cheaper from what I remember. If, again, you're getting close to the ring, check out the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS, it's at a higher end of the budget again, but is a fantastic lens

Perfect fit

cheers guys,

the majority of the events i would be ringside/leaning on or over the ring so id be pretty close! in terms of budget id hopefully be able to spend 500-800ish!

Paulw

If you're that close, the 50mm f/1.4 is a brilliant lens.

Other than that, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 would give you decent range, but that's double your budget.

Try and see really. If you know any boards photographers near you, you may be able to borrow a lens to try at an event.

Fajitas!

800 would make me think of the 17-55 2.8 IS straight away!

Review here

Perfect fit

i should also mention the light at the majority of these events are pretty rubbish too

City-Exile

Fajitas! wrote: »

800 would make me think of the 17-55 2.8 IS straight away!

Review here

Slight devation, but what was that lens that you had in Jo-Burger?

Fajitas!

Ah! The 135 f/2 L! (I doubt you mean the lensbaby or the fisheye )

A gem of a lens, about 800 quid. Would be a bit too long for rings though!

City-Exile

I was just wondering, because it was such a quality lens.
Not sure I could justify another prime.

Balfey1972

Tokina AT-X 2.8/50-135 Pro DX is on computeruniverse.net for €397. good lens for what you are looking for. Having purchased a nifty fifty for €85 it is a great piece of kit for the price.

challengemaster

Perfect fit wrote: »

high quality sports images

budget

See, you've hit a problem there already.
generally cheap and good quality don't go together, esp. in photography gear. Paulw for example has some really high quality sports images, but his gear is shít expensive.

Seeing as you're close to the ring though, you don't need expensive zooms. I'll second Fajitas' 17-55 IS, with the 400D crop body, you should be fine. Just be prepared to bump up the ISO in dark situations. Good luck with your purchase

To the poster above, 85€ is stupid money for the nifty fifty. can be had for 40-50€ if you look around

kensutz

City-Exile wrote: »

I was just wondering, because it was such a quality lens.
Not sure I could justify another prime.

Agreed, it was one hell of a lens and one I'm considering at the moment. Last week did enough damage to the bank balance for me.

Fajitas!

Another week and it's a new month. Possibly even a brand new credit card bill. Go on.

Paulw

Fajitas! wrote: »

Another week and it's a new month. Possibly even a brand new credit card bill. Go on.

You're just evil. :eek:

Maybe there should be a boards month where no one buys anything .... or would that cause a recession? :rolleyes:

Ok, maybe we should all just buy, and then the economy would boom again. :cool:

City-Exile

Paulw wrote: »

Maybe there should be a boards month where no one buys anything .... or would that cause a recession?

A handful of us here could never cause a recession in Hong Kong!
On another note, I've been getting value from UK based sellers recently, so I'm shifting away from Hong Kong. Once you factor in the shipping costs, there isn't much in it. It's also nice to know that the VAT is all in order.

jackdaw

Perfect fit wrote: »

cheers guys,

the majority of the events i would be ringside/leaning on or over the ring so id be pretty close! in terms of budget id hopefully be able to spend 500-800ish!

For about €1200 you can get the 70-200 f2.8 IS from KEa ...

I know its a little beyond your budget but it's a great lens ..

if you are gonna be close then .. for a prime id recommend the
canon 50mm f1.4 ... very good image quality and about €350- €400 ...

Paulw

City-Exile wrote: »

On another note, I've been getting value from UK based sellers recently. Once you factor in the shipping costs, there isn't much in it. It's also nice to know that the VAT is all in order.

I have to agree. Prices from the UK are brilliant with the exchange rate. I just ordered some kit from there and was stunned by the prices.

Ok, ok, back on topic ... the 50mm f/1.4 is a brilliant lens when you can get close.

Failing that, you really need an f/2.8 lens.

Mr Dave C

Folks can you tell me the name of the site that are used in the UK ..

Paulw

Calumet in Belfast seem to have great prices right now.

Mr Dave C

Thanks Paul.

LeoB

Would Canon 17-85IS be good for this type of photography? and the 50mm would be good. If you know anyone going to U.S you will get a top quality lens within your budget

City-Exile

LeoB wrote: »

Would Canon 17-85IS be good for this type of photography?

No, because the aperture is f/4-5.6, which would struggle in low light conditions, especially since a fast shutter speed would be required for action.

LeoB

Thanks city-exile. So apart from the Tokina suggested by Balfey Canon 24-70 f/2.8 may be the the best option.

City-Exile

LeoB wrote: »

Thanks city-exile. So apart from the Tokina suggested by Balfey Canon 24-70 f/2.8 may be the the best option.

Yeah, you'd have to get down to at least f/2.8 & if you want a bit of scope, the 24-70mm is reasonable. I just find that it's not wide enough, with the 1.6 crop, but it should be fine for most situations mentioned by the OP.

Perfect fit

would you recommend this:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200242315941&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:ie

kensutz

For?

Perfect fit

Perfect fit wrote: »

hi all, abit of advice please, i currently have a canon 400d ut want to invest in a lens for high quality sports images mainly for fast combat sports sports such as mixed martial arts, boxing etc. I will probably have to take out a loan to get it so nothing to expensive, more for the man on a budget,

thanks in advance

just what i was looking for, people are saying the 50mm f1.4 just making sure this is the right one??

kensutz

Yeah that's the one the lads are on about.

Perfect fit

kensutz wrote: »

Yeah that's the one the lads are on about.

cheers:):):)off to buy it so:)

Calina

No, I think it's the 1.8 which is more common. Doesn't the 1.4 have a savagely shallow DOF?

Ricky91t

you can always up it to 1.8...Imo the 50mm f/1.8 build quaility isnt up to much.And if you want a lens for sports you dont want it to get damaged the night of the event etc

MartMax

ricky91t wrote: »

you can always up it to 1.8...Imo the 50mm f/1.8 build quaility isnt up to much.And if you want a lens for sports you dont want it to get damaged the night of the event etc

it's quite cheap, so u could get one or two spares

RitaM

I am a sports photographer - covering mainly martial arts and rugby but am on the verge of purchasing a new camera. (I'll be well broke) I was recommended by some other sports photographers I know to get my hands on a Canon EOS 1D with 2'8 lens.
The lot comes to over €3,000 but if it can make money back from the work then it makes sense! (well, that's what I'm telling myself anyway!)

City-Exile

Yes Rita, the Canon 1D Mk III is the best sports body on the market!
I presume the 2.8 lens you're looking at is the Canon 70-200mm?
The 300mm f/2.8 would set you back another €3k