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135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

ZoneV_Nikon
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p.1 #1 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

Considering a 135/2 L for night football, indoor volleyball, maybe some more D1 hockey, maybe not...on a 20D. Good idea, or not?

Currently using a very old Nikkor 80-200/2.8 from 1988-1992 that cannot focus fast enough.

Thanks.

Nov 12, 2012 at 01:24 AM

scalesusa
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p.1 #2 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

The body plays a factor in AF Speed. Certainly, the lens focuses plenty fast. In low light, a 20D body will be slower to autofocus than say a 1D MK II.

Nov 12, 2012 at 02:21 AM

ZoneV_Nikon
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p.1 #3 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

Assuming only the center point is used, would it focus fast enough? The 20D has similar AF to the 5D II, right?

Nov 12, 2012 at 02:27 AM

ggreene
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p.1 #4 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

Really depends on the type of access you have to games and where you typically shoot from. I found the 135L too tight on a 1.3x crop body for indoor sports but that was shooting from the baseline/sidelines. If you are further back it might be perfectly fine. I also found the AF not quite as responsive as it's reputation. The 85/1.8 was much better in that regard.

I'm actually thinking of getting the lens again as I have upgraded to a FF body. Mostly for gymnastics.

Nov 12, 2012 at 02:34 AM

Tom Dix
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p.1 #5 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

yeah; will work well

Nov 12, 2012 at 02:42 AM

saneproduction
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p.1 #6 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

Yes. Get an 85 1.8 also

Nov 12, 2012 at 02:49 AM

pjbuehner
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p.1 #7 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

If the focal length works for you, it is an amazing lens. Very fast AF and great IQ. I find it a good length for basketball from the corners. On a 1D body it covers out to the top of the key nicely and still gets good tight shots in the paint. The 85 is a looser crop so if you aren't used to it, maybe a bit more forgiving. I find the IQ of the 135 better but for the money, the 85 1.8 is a very nice lens. The more I think about it, on a 20D it might make more sense to go with the 85. The 20D is an APS-C sensor which is a 1.6x crop factor. My 1D is a APS-H which is 1.3x. Also, the 20D will challenge you AF wise no matter what lens you put in front of it. You can get good shots but it doesn't make it easy.

Nov 12, 2012 at 02:56 AM

ZoneV_Nikon
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p.1 #8 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

Great. Problem solved.

135/2 L it is. Now to save up for it (being both Canon and Nikon is not easy on a limited budget).

Nov 12, 2012 at 03:31 AM

capitalK
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p.1 #9 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

I really like the 135mm f/2 L for hockey shooting through the glass. I find it too tight for basketball action under the net, for me an 85mm would work better for that.

Nov 12, 2012 at 05:05 AM

PhilDrinkwater
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p.1 #10 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

ggreene wrote:
I also found the AF not quite as responsive as it's reputation. The 85/1.8 was much better in that regard.

I'm honestly surprised to hear you say that..

I tested this lens in FoCal and it's my most consistent and accurate focussing lens - just gets it right every time. In use I would say its also *one* of my fastest focussing lenses - not the fastest, but close. Certainly it's faster and more accurate than the 85 IMO.

Nov 12, 2012 at 08:39 AM

garydavidjones
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p.1 #11 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

With 5D3 find 135L excellent for low-light candid
shots of people in places such as casinos in Vegas.
Presume it would work well in poorly lit gyms.

Nov 12, 2012 at 08:48 AM

ggreene
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p.1 #12 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

PhilDrinkwater wrote:
I tested this lens in FoCal and it's my most consistent and accurate focussing lens - just gets it right every time. In use I would say its also *one* of my fastest focussing lenses - not the fastest, but close. Certainly it's faster and more accurate than the 85 IMO.

For whatever reason it did not quite match the speed of the 85/1.8 for initial lock on target or for tracking. Bodies used were 1D2/1D4. I had a chance to try an additional copy from a friend and it did the same thing. Perhaps I just got an
exceptional 85. Who knows.

Nov 12, 2012 at 03:03 PM

kapytalyst
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p.1 #13 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

Great idea. That will work like a charm! Use center point and fire away.

A 60d or 1d mark 2 would be a nice step up from that combo when you're ready.

Nov 12, 2012 at 04:00 PM

convergent
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p.1 #14 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

The 135L is one of my most used sports lenses for indoor sports. I would think it might be a bit limited for football, since it is a little sport. Someone mentioned a comparison with the 85 f/1.8. I've used these two lenses extensively shooting volleyball, and the 135L far outperforms the 85 in AF speed for me. I often want to use the 85 focal length, but shoot tighter with the 135L because I get more keepers. I have shot them both on 1D3 and 50D for the last couple of years. On the crop body, the 135L is a good length for over the net shots too. I use the 200L for that on the 1D3, but on crop body you'd be about the same with the 135L. I don't think you'll be disappointed with this lens. It is quite versatile, and handles TCs very well too.

Nov 12, 2012 at 04:48 PM

BrandonRussell
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p.1 #15 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

I shot college football and basketball with it for a few years with 1dmkIIIs and it became my favorite sports lens. Focuses as fast as anything I've got.

Nov 12, 2012 at 11:56 PM

Caleb Williams
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p.1 #16 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

I like the 135mm f/2. I've used in the past for basketball and a few more sports with or without a TC.

I rented one over a weekend this fall and used it in tandem with a 300mm f/4 for cross country and indoor volleyball. I found 135mm + 300mm combo great for cross country (with two bodies obviously). For volleyball, it was usually one lens or the other, not both at the same time.

Nov 13, 2012 at 08:28 PM

Psychic1
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p.1 #17 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

I began shooting hockey with the 135L & 10D and I did well until I touched a 1D.

That was a BIG mi$take.

Nov 13, 2012 at 11:29 PM

Speter
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p.1 #18 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

20D may not be up to standard. I had a 50D and my 1D mark II, although older, outclassed it so badly.

Nov 14, 2012 at 07:54 AM

Sneakyracer
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p.1 #19 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

I think any of the Canon 70-200 2.8's is the best option for indoor sports. Its the standard. The ability to zoom is a huge asset when shooting from the sidelines. Also AF performance is awesome in all of them. Faster than most lenses I have used. It is designed in since the 70-200 2.8's are workhorse lenses for most sport photographers and photojournalists.

Lot's more real world info here http://www.sportsshooter.com

Nov 14, 2012 at 11:10 AM

Claude
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p.1 #20 · 135/2 L for Low-light sports ?

When I had my 20D I used 85 1.8 and 135L all the time for sports

At the time I had the 70-200 2.8 IS but in those dark halls I preferred f/2.0 over 2.8.
This has changed with 70-200 2.8 IS II and 5DIII.

Claude

Nov 14, 2012 at 12:53 PM

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