Canon Indoor Sports Lens Recommendations

 
The best Canon indoor sports lenses - My Canon indoor sports lens recommendations ...
 
Canon EF 200mm f/2.0 L IS USM Lens (large, expensive, awesome image quality)
Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L USM Lens
Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 USM Lens (great value)
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens (great value)
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 USM Lens
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens (slower AF, wider aperture)
 
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens (EF-S mount only)
 
Basketball, volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, wrestling ... At these events, the indoor available light action sports photographer encounters some really tough photography situations. The lighting at best is usually dim. The photographer is often committed to be at one location - and the participants move around. And they usually don't move slowly.
 
An indoor sports lens needs to have a very wide aperture and it often needs to focus very quickly. A fixed focal length (or prime) lens is often a good choice.
 
Select between the recommended fixed focal length lenses based on the focal length you need and your available budget. The 85 f/1.2 L II does not focus as fast as the rest, but it has a wider aperture than the others. It is one of my favorite lenses. And if you can use 200mm of focal length, the Canon EF 200mm f/2.0 L IS USM Lens is simply awesome.
 
A fixed focal length lens has the obvious disadvantage of not being able to change focal lengths. Even if the photographer knows where their position will be or is able to adjust to the optimal location, the participants are often moving over a large area. For this reason, a zoom lens has a big advantage. The results will require less cropping - leaving more resolution in the final image.
 
The disadvantage a zoom lens has in an indoor action situation is the maximum aperture - f/2.8 is the widest Canon zoom lens currently made. Because of the typically-poor indoor gym light levels, expect to need ISO 1600 or 3200 to get minimally acceptable shutter speeds (1/500 or higher) in all but the best-lit venues. High ISO of course means more noise in your results. The higher price tag is another frequent disadvantage for the zoom. Of course, versatility cannot be ignored.
 
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens and the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens are two of the best indoor sports lenses available. They make excellent general purpose telephoto zoom lenses and can be used for outdoor sports as well.
 
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens and Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens (EF-S mount only) are excellent indoor sports lens choices when shorter focal lengths are needed. If you have court-side access, you may need these wider angle focal lengths.
 
Check my full reviews to see which lens(es) are best for you.

 
 

 

 

 

* Canon EOS 1D X Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS Rebel T3i / 600D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS Rebel T2i / 550D Digital SLR Review
Canon EOS Rebel T3 / 1100D Digital SLR Review
* Canon PowerShot G1 X Digital Camera Review
more Canon Digital SLR Camera Reviews ...
 
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4 L USM Fisheye Lens Review
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM Lens Review
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS USM Extender 1.4x Lens
Review
more Canon Zoom Lens Reviews ...
 
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens Review
Canon TS-E 17mm f/4 L Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L II USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Lens Review
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L II Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 Lens Review
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 35mm f/2.0 Lens Review
Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens Review
Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro Lens Review
Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens Review
Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt-Shift Lens Review
Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 USM Lens Review
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 With Soft Focus Lens Review
Canon EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Macro Lens Review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 200mm f/2.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6 L USM Lens Review
Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
* Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens Review
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM Lens Review
Canon Extender EF 1.4x III Review
Canon Extender EF 2x III Review
more Canon Lens Reviews ...
 
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens Review
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens Review
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens Review
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Review
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Review
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens Review
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens Review
more Canon EF-S Lens Reviews ...

Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Review
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS Lens Review
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens Review
Sigma 20mm F/1.8 EX DG Lens Review
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens Review
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review
more Sigma Lens Reviews ...
 
 
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II Lens Review
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II Lens Review
* Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC Lens Review
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC Lens Review
Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di Lens Review
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens Review
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC Lens Review
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Lens Review
more Tamron Lens Reviews ...
 
 
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX Lens Review
 
 
Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZE Lens Review
Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Lens Review
Zeiss 100mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar T* ZE Lens Review
 
 
  (standardized results only at this time)  
 
   
* Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT Flash Review
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flash Review
Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash Review
Canon Speedlite 320EX Flash Review
Canon Speedlite 270EX II Flash Review
* Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT Review
Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 Review
more Flash & Lighting Accessory Reviews ...
 
Tripod, Monopod, Ballhead & Accessory Reviews
UV, Circular Polarizer & Other Filter Reviews
Camera & Lens Accessory Reviews
Lens & Sensor Cleaning Supplies Reviews
Camera Bag, Backpack & Lens Case Reviews
What I Use: Digital Cameras and Lenses
What I Use: Photography Accessories
 
* Text portion of this review is not complete

 
Introduction - Canon lens choosing is confusing!
What Focal Length(s) Do You Need?
What Maximum Aperture Do You Need?
Canon General Purpose Lens Recommendations
Canon Portrait Lens Recommendations
Canon Wedding Lens Recommendations
Canon Outdoor Sports Lens Recommendations
Canon Indoor Sports Lens Recommendations
Canon Macro Lens Recommendations
Canon Wildlife Lens Recommendations
Canon Landscape Lens Recommendations
 
ISO 12233 Resolution Chart Sample Crop Comparison
Vignetting Test Results Comparison
Lens Flare Comparison
Lens Distortion Comparison
Lens Specifications and Measurements Comparison
Lens Product Image Comparison
 
Used Canon Cameras and Lenses
Where To Buy Used Canon Cameras and Lenses
Where To Buy Canon Cameras and Lenses
Field of View Crop Factor (Focal Length Multiplier)
Canon L Lens Series
USA vs. Gray Market/Imported Canon Lenses - the difference?
Zoom vs. Fixed Focal Length (Prime) Lenses
Canon Lens Date Codes - How old is that lens?
Canon Lens Vignetting (Light Fall-off)
Lens Hoods - Do I really need to use one?
Canon Lens Rebates
UV Filters - Should they be used?
 
Canon Digital SLR Camera Sample Pictures
Canon Zoom Lens Sample Pictures
Canon Lens Sample Pictures
Canon EF-S Lens Sample Pictures
Sigma Lens Sample Pictures
Tamron Lens Sample Pictures
Tokina Lens Sample Pictures
Zeiss Lens Sample Pictures
Flash & Lighting Accessory Sample Pictures
Filter Sample Pictures
Best of the Site Pictures
Sensor Cleaning
Watch the Background!
Exposure Basics
Digital Workflow - Using Canon Digital Photo Professional
Fireworks Photography Tips
Photography Equipment & Liability Insurance
Packing for a Landscape Photography Trip
Counterfeit Camera Accessories Warning
Camera & Lens Focus Calibration Testing
How To Use a Gray Card
Circular Polarizing Filters Can Make A Huge Difference
How to Remove a Stuck Lens Filter
Air Show Pictures & Photography Tips
More Photography Tips ...

 

 

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