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kylesbigdog · Jan 26, 2012, 9:28 PM

I have a Canon XSi camera and am looking for a lens to use for my son's indoor basketball (gymnasium) as well as outdoor football games. I am looking at either the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM or the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM. If I can only afford 1 lens to address both the indoor gynasium shots as well as the outdoor football shots which of these 2 would be better? Is there any concern with the 70-200 f2.8 not having image stabilization?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks

JohnG · Jan 27, 2012, 11:08 AM

Kyle - the 100-400 is useless for indoor work. But, I'm going to take things a step further:
I shoot basketball and football. To use an f2.8 lens for basketball, unless your son is Div i ncaa you need ISO 3200-6400. So, even the 70-200 2.8 is a poor solution for your camera for basketball. You would either need to use an 85mm 1.8 or you would need to use external flash/strobes.

But let me ask - for the football, what level of play? Is this HS varsity under the lights or peewee on Saturday afternoons?

kylesbigdog · Jan 27, 2012, 3:43 PM

Thanks for the reponse.
For basketball, the games are played in marginaly lit gymnasiums. As far as football, the Saturday afternoon type games.

JohnG · Jan 27, 2012, 3:53 PM

My advice is you can't do both with your current camera and one lens. If you're looking at spending $1400:
Buy 85mm 1.8 for basketball

For football you could get 70-300 IS (non L) or 70-200 f4 (non IS) for around $560. The L will focus faster but is only good for about 25 yards of coverage where the 300 is good for 40. However, if lighting gets poor your 70-300 will begin to have issues. The 70-300L would be an ideal solution but it's almost $1400. It's a real shame sigma did away with their 100-300 f4. That was a great lens at a reasonable $1000 price.

JimC · Jan 27, 2012, 6:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnG

...It's a real shame sigma did away with their 100-300 f4. That was a great lens at a reasonable $1000 price.

It looks like J&R has some of them in stock in Canon EF mount for $1069 with free shipping while supplies last.

Listing at amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-100-300m.../dp/B000A7B9TE

Listing on J&R's web site:
http://www.jr.com/sigma/pe/SGA_CA100...ductTabDetails

Jan 26, 2012, 9:28 PM	#1
kylesbigdog Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 4	70-200 f2.8 or 100 400 f4.5 I have a Canon XSi camera and am looking for a lens to use for my son's indoor basketball (gymnasium) as well as outdoor football games. I am looking at either the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM or the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM. If I can only afford 1 lens to address both the indoor gynasium shots as well as the outdoor football shots which of these 2 would be better? Is there any concern with the 70-200 f2.8 not having image stabilization? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

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Jan 27, 2012, 11:08 AM	#2
JohnG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 8,529	Kyle - the 100-400 is useless for indoor work. But, I'm going to take things a step further: I shoot basketball and football. To use an f2.8 lens for basketball, unless your son is Div i ncaa you need ISO 3200-6400. So, even the 70-200 2.8 is a poor solution for your camera for basketball. You would either need to use an 85mm 1.8 or you would need to use external flash/strobes. But let me ask - for the football, what level of play? Is this HS varsity under the lights or peewee on Saturday afternoons?

Jan 27, 2012, 3:43 PM	#3
kylesbigdog Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 4	Thanks for the reponse. For basketball, the games are played in marginaly lit gymnasiums. As far as football, the Saturday afternoon type games.

Jan 27, 2012, 3:53 PM	#4
JohnG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 8,529	My advice is you can't do both with your current camera and one lens. If you're looking at spending $1400: Buy 85mm 1.8 for basketball For football you could get 70-300 IS (non L) or 70-200 f4 (non IS) for around $560. The L will focus faster but is only good for about 25 yards of coverage where the 300 is good for 40. However, if lighting gets poor your 70-300 will begin to have issues. The 70-300L would be an ideal solution but it's almost $1400. It's a real shame sigma did away with their 100-300 f4. That was a great lens at a reasonable $1000 price.