200mm f/2 IS or 300mm f/2.8 IS

[Baker]

I am going to be shooting a state basketball tournament in a couple of weeks. As a Christmas present my parents are going to pay for me to rent a couple of lenses for the duration of the tournament. I have decided to get a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II, but I can't decide if it would be worth it to also get a 200mm f/2 IS or a 300mm f/2.8 IS. It seems that it could be redundant to have a 200mm f/2 IS if I will have the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II. However, the extra stop may be useful in a poorly lit gym. While the 300mm f/2.8 IS would give me more reach, I am not sure if it would be too much reach. It has been awhile since I shot a basketball game.


Unfortunately I can't get my hands on a 1D mark IV, so I will be using my T2i and possibly an XSi as a second body. But hey, it's better than nothing right?


I will also have my 85mm f/1.8 with me.


Or if you want to suggest something completely different that would be cool too!


Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated. []

[neuroanatomist]

I am going to be shooting a state basketball tournament in a couple of weeks.

Great!


Some clarifying questions - shooting from where, i.e. will you have courtside access? Also, will the tournament be televised? If so, the lighting is likely to be better than a typical gymnasium.

[Baker]

Yes, I will have courtside access, but no it will not be televised. This is actually a 7th grade state tournament that I am shooting as a favor to a friend. So I am assuming there will not be great lighting.

[Daniel Browning]

On a T2i, I think 200mm is more useful than 300mm for courtside basketball. Even with a 1D, I

[neuroanatomist]

In that case, I'd say that 300mm will be too long for comfort - at a shooting distance of 75', 300mm on a crop body will frame 5.6' x 3.8'. That distance is longer than many of your shots will be, and still probably too tight for your subjects. I think you'll get a lot of use out of the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II... Actually, you might find 200mm to be too long. At what's probably a reasonable shooting distance of 25', the 135mm f/2L will still frame a shot that's only about 5 basketballs wide (4' x 2.75').


You've mentioned the 85/1.8 and telephoto zooms and primes - you'll also want a wide lens for shots from under the hoop.

[Baker]

You've mentioned the 85/1.8 and telephoto zooms and primes - you'll also want a wide lens for shots from under the hoop.

Perhaps the 24-70 f/2.8?

[elmo_2006]

Hi Baker...


I would stick with the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II and possibly the 300 2.8. The 300 2.8 would be great at framing those facial *dunk* shots! At one of these games, I bumped into *pro* shooter and had the Canon 300 2.8 mounted on his 1DMIII (if I recall) and a monopod.Wow, those photos were crisp to say the least, however that camera has a1.3x FOVCF


I used the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II lens here, though I could have used more ISO, my Xsi is limited in this range. These photos were taken from the fourth rowat the local ice rink. As you can see, @200 you still get a decent shot. Sorry no basketball - YET!





The above photo was taken directly in front of me from the stands (4th row).





The above photo was taken from the far side of the rink.


You may want to plant yourself somewhere in the middle, however with courtside access, you may find yourself running back and forth! Just watch your step and keep an eye on the play as you don't want to end up *kissing* the court! LOL


As for those wide shots, the Tokina 11-16 2.8 may be your best bet or the Canon 17-55 2.8. I would try to limit your lenses to only two, as *swapping* lenses on the fly can get annoying, unless you decide to go with multiple bodies so that you can flip between them. Mount a telephoto on one and the wide on the second.


Planning is key!


My next sports photography attempt will be an NBA game, as the lighting is so much better!


Hope this helps.

[Jordan]

I think you should have a 16-35mm f/2.8 L or an EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM on one body, and the 200 f/2 on the other body. If you need to tweak that at all during the game, that