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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Best baseball/softball lens?
Jeff Brehm, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Salisbury | NC | USA | Posted: 9:56 PM on 03.15.11 |
->> I used to shoot with the Canon 100-400 but got tired of the so-so image quality and traded it on on the new 70-200 f/2.8 II, which ROCKS! Now I need to pick up a new baseball & softball lens. I borrowed the new 70-300 EF from Canon and like the fast AF, but I'm concerned about the shorter focal range.
What's your favorite lens for taking out to the ballpark? |
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Jim Pierce, Photographer
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Waltham | MA | USA | Posted: 10:04 PM on 03.15.11 |
->> Jeff,
Depends if a LL diamond or the full diamond:
for LL the 300 2.8 and/or the 70-200 behind first/third base works for 95% of the field. For tournaments on a LL field the 500/4.0 from straight away center field gets you straight on the batter as well as plays at first and third. This will get you what most parents never see.
For a full size diamond the 300/2.8 with TC or a 400 is needed. I can also use the 70-200 since I can stand in the dugout doorway and get the batter.
it all depends on your access but this is what works for me at my fields.
Jim |
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Jeffrey Nycz, Photographer
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Warsaw | IN | USA | Posted: 10:17 PM on 03.15.11 |
->> Jeff:
I routinely use a 400 2.8 and the 70-200 F2.8. For shots from the outfield I use the 600 F4. |
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Bob Ford, Photographer
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Lehighton | Pa | USA | Posted: 12:00 AM on 03.16.11 |
| ->> For high school baseball I used to shoot almost always with a 400, until I got the 200-400. For softball I usually use a 70-200. |
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Danny Munson, Photographer
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San Dimas | Ca | United States | Posted: 12:57 AM on 03.16.11 |
| ->> As most have stated, for LL 300 2.8 and 70-200 on second body. Also 300 2.8 and 2x tc from center field. |
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Clay Begrin, Photographer
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Petaluma | Ca | USA | Posted: 2:28 AM on 03.16.11 |
| ->> Jeff, for LL and high school, with field access, it's the 300 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 on an "R" strap. Just a great combo. For girls softball I use the same however find I don't use the 300 nearly as much as in baseball, just due to the diamond size. The 300 2.8 is flat out my favorite lens and I use it whenever I can. For LL and high school, I've found the 300 is also just right for shooting the pitcher when you are behind home plate and shooting thru the chain link fence. |
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Jack Megaw, Photographer, Assistant
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Philadelphia | PA | America | Posted: 2:31 AM on 03.16.11 |
| ->> The Nikon 200-400 is such a perfect lens for baseball/softball...but you're a Canon shooter so I'm not sure that bit of advice is going to help quite so much. |
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Butch Miller, Photographer
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Lock Haven | PA | USA | Posted: 9:23 AM on 03.16.11 |
->> For LL and softball from the baselines, the 70-200 on a crop body works very well for most everything ... from the outfield fence ... 600 does quite nicely ...
For full sized baseball ... multiply by a factor of 1.5-2x ... |
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Scott Evans, Photographer
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Bay Village | OH | USA | Posted: 10:21 AM on 03.16.11 |
| ->> I use the 300 w 1.4x on one body and 70-200 on a second from the photo well and I can cover the infield well and short outfield. For outfield shots, the 300 + tc isn't enough. |
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Frank Lauri, Photographer
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Larksville | PA | USA | Posted: 1:46 PM on 03.16.11 |
| ->> For the past few years I've used a 300 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 for LL to MLB and at times for LL I've used a 2001.8. Late in 2010 I picked up a 400 2.8 and I used it for a college game yesterday with very good results, however, I see it will have its limitations. I plan on using it for LL but it will be for the tight...up close sportrait type shots and from the OF in type shots. But fields are different and situations are different. You should do fine picking up a 300 2.8 and a 1.4 TC which will give you good coverage for just about all situations. |
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Chuck Steenburgh, Photographer
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Lexington | VA | USA | Posted: 1:35 AM on 03.19.11 |
| ->> 120-300/f2.8 Sigma with a 1.4x is just about perfect, with a second body with 70-200 for close work depending on where you shoot from. |
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Randy Abrams, Photographer
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Bath | NY | US | Posted: 8:03 AM on 03.19.11 |
| ->> Switch to Nikon and get a 200-400/4. The lens is just perfect for baseball/softball. |
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Will Lester, Photographer
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Sam Santilli, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Philippi | WV | USA | Posted: 9:27 PM on 03.19.11 |
->> 17mm fisheye...that way you get everyone in the pic!
Serious though..ditto on the above. |
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