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Just wondering what most people use to shoot sports with. I am interested in both indoor and outdoor sports.

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Hi, I shoot lot of soccer and field Hockey - my kids play at college level. I have a digital rebel and several lenses, but my workhorse for those events is a 70-300 IS lens. My prior 200 was ok, but I wanted the IS feature. The 300 is almost too much - so I am often still shooting in the 200mm zoom range. Buddy

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Indoor:
For indoor sports I often use a 20d and some fast prime. My workhorse lens this winter has been the canon 85 f/1.8. A high ISO and f/2 will let in more light than you'd think. Unless you're shooting in a gym/arena that is lit for television, you'll find an f/2.8 lens too slow. I shoot at Michigan State and all the buildings here (less the basketball arena) are really dark for f/2.8. I'd highly recommend teh 85 for indoor sports shooting. I've never used it, but a lot of shooters I know use and would endorse the 135 f/2 from canon.

Outdoors:
Really less limitations here, I usually am outside with a 20d or a digital rebel and either a 70-200 or a 300. Both these lenses are f/4, but it's fairly easy to get a shutter speed over 1/1000 while outdoors. Unlike Buddy, neither of my lenses have IS. It really doens't help stop fast moving subjects, so unless you want it for something other than sports, you can save your money. I find that the 70-200 and 300 combo really are about perfect for baseball/soccer/any sport. Sometimes I really want more reach than the 300 can give me, but for 90% of things, it does a nice job.

If you have any other questions, please ask.

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While I agree with Rufford, I will comment that if your shooting at 1/1000 or greater, the IS has limited value - but often I am shooting at 1/500 or so as I like to use lowest ISO. Field Hockey being in the fall, I often have overcast. At 200 to 300, the IS really helps an old guy steady a camera. Further, I am not using a tripod or monopod at these events (though I should) so again 200 to 300 at less than 1/500, the IS is handy.
Buddy

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Thanks for the info. I had tried my hand at basketball but I found myself too far away with too slow shutter speeds. My high school gym is lit pretty well so I think the f4 would work nice not to mention moving cloder. The zoom I was using was my old zoom from Canon that I bought when I got my Rebel G.

i was looking at the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 but the minimum focusing distance is almost 6 feet and the Canon will let you get closer.

However I am to check out the 85mm.

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Indoor:
Canon 20D with a Canon 70-200mm IS L.

Outdoor:
Canon 20D with a Canon 100-400 IS L.

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Coming back to this. What are you going to be shooting where you need focus within six feet? Just curious, I've never really had to have a real close focus distance

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Well I first thought about basketball when the action was close. On one end of the court. But then I also thought about portrait use. I mean I know you want some seperation between you and your subject but I like the idea of being closer than 6ft.

Also, I have heard that Sigma will not always rechip the lens to work with some Canon cameras. I was just thinking about if and when I get my next Canon body.

I'm just tired of buying cheaper lenses but having a hard time making my mind up as to which one. I wish there was a camera store near me that would let me rent these two and try them out. But alas there is no such place anywhere near me.

I have heard that Sigma has a new version of the 70-200mm f2.8 that has a minimum focus distance similar to the Canon.

So what are your thoughts?

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I can see your point for basketball. I just looked though some of my sports shots and the only time I was closer than six feet was for swimming--but I didn't shoot much baskeball this year. As far as portraiture goes, you'll probably not need to be within six feet. Unless, of course, you want to get real tight.

I think either the Canon or Sigma would work just fine for you. I chose Canon because of a few reasons. I wanted to have a higher resell value should I ever chose to sell the lens. I had the opportunity to use the sigma and prefered the build of the Canon. Third, I figured if I bought the sigma, I'd want the Canon sooner or later so I just saved some money and bought the canon the first time.

Again, either should suit you just fine.

good luck

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