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Archive 2014 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?

  
 
JcarPhoto
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


Hoping for some advice.

Current kit is 6D body, 35mm 1.4 Art, 85mm 1.8.

My toddler is at the age where she is starting to do dance performances (ballet class), preschool performances, etc. These are normally at venues like a high school theater or church. Down the road I presume she probably will do some team sports (soccer, etc).

I've been shooting them with my 85mm 1.8, which I find is too short for the performance and too long for the after-performance gatherings (taking pictures w/ her friends, etc in tight cramped areas). I got the 35mm for the group shots, now I am looking for something longer for the actual performance.

The 135mm F/2 and 200mm F/2.8 both seem like great choices and are within my budget (trying to keep it <$800,900 used or new). The white 70-200's are a little too attention-grabbing and big for my tastes.

Which one would you recommend, or would you recommend a different lens?



Jan 22, 2014 at 05:26 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


Well, this is one of the occasions when a white 70-200/2.8 is the best solution. Of course, you don't have to use it, if you don't like the size and colour, but you can get used to those things.

The 135/2L is an excellent lens. I haven't owned an EF 200/2.8L, but I've heard only good things about them.

You might want to use a monopod with a longer lens. OTOH, the 6D lets you crank the ISO up pretty high, and so you can get decent shutter speeds.

Maybe the 135/2L and a 1.4x Extender (Mk II or III) would be a good way to go.



Jan 22, 2014 at 06:10 PM
tonytastic
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


if you only have 1 body, a 70-200 2.8 goes a lot farther than the 2 primes you listed.

I would stick with the 135L if you can, because the 200 2.8, although nice, does not have IS (personally, I find 200mm a bit hard to shoot without IS) and the extra stop of light will come in handy for the 135.



Jan 22, 2014 at 06:14 PM
erikburd
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


Another vote for 135L + 1.4x TC. I use this for my nephew's sports pictures and it's a very good combo. Lightweight and easy to work without a tripod.



Jan 22, 2014 at 06:32 PM
3iron
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


I agree, the 70-200 version I or II will serve you well and you will not have to change lenses or carry 2 cameras. Very sharp and at 2.8 very usable in most circumstances inside.


Jan 22, 2014 at 06:35 PM
gwaww
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


I had the latest Sigma 70-200 2.8 VC and let my self be talked into trading for the Canon MKII. The gain is not worth the money. The Sigma in an excellent lens.


Jan 22, 2014 at 06:49 PM
ggreene
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


If she is going to go into sports later on I would definitely look at a 70-200 2.8. Combined with the 6D's high ISO capability you get a very flexible solution for indoor events and with a 1.4xTC extra reach for outdoor events. You will still have the 35 for wider shots and the 85 for caves.


Jan 22, 2014 at 07:12 PM
gdanmitchell
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


I own the 135 - a very nice lens. At this very moment I am backstage photographing a professional symphony orchestra rehearsal. I have used the 135mm for this... but the lens on my camera right now is the 70-200 zoom. It is big. But it gets within one stop of the 135, provides the flexibility to cover the range you describe (and more) in one lens, has image stabilization, and goes even longer in stage lighting with the 1.4x TC.

Dan



Jan 22, 2014 at 07:19 PM
Monito
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


Remember, children are smaller than adults, about in proportion that the 200 mm lens has more reach than the 135 mm.

But the f/2 gives a stop more than the f/2.8 for fast moving children. And you need two-thirds stop faster shutter speed to compensate on the 200 for the bigger arc swing when the camera and camera operator shake.

Look at your shots with the 85 mm lens and see what shutter speed and aperture you use most at the highest ISO you are comfortable with for printing big. If it is f/2.8 or above at 1/250 sec or faster, then I would go with the 200 mm. Even then the shutter speed is a bit shaky and 1/400 would be preferable, these days, with bigger prints and monitors, to get the keeper rate higher.

The 70-200 f/2.8 IS II is a very nice lens, but much more expensive than the 135 or the 200. The non-IS is more expensive, but not as much.

Any of them will have more than enough image quality for you.



Jan 22, 2014 at 07:38 PM
johnctharp
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


Any reason not to consider the Tamron 70-200/2.8 VC instead, other than focus speed/accuracy for bursts compared to a 135L or 200/2.8L?


Jan 22, 2014 at 07:44 PM
Lutefisker
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


At some point, af speed becomes an issue. I find the 135 af to be a little slow for the subjects I photograph whereas the 70-200 is very fast. As your subjects get faster, you'll need to shoot at high shutter speeds, and your need for IS goes away.


Jan 22, 2014 at 07:49 PM
gocolts
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


I understand the challenge...I have a 3 year old daughter that for things like preschool plays, dance class, etc, either me or my wife roll in with the 6D/70-200 2.8 MKII combo. And to be honest, I've also considered adding a 135L for these events. Not only because I have to hear the moronic "jeez, are you getting pictures of her nose hairs?!?" nonsense, but also because my wife says the 70-200 2.8 MKII is too big/heavy for her to deal with when I'm not there. And the 70-300L is just too slow at longer focal lengths for some of that indoor stuff.

We'll see what happens, but as of now I'm considering adding a 135L back to my kit when I find one for a good price, and we'll see what happens.



Jan 22, 2014 at 08:36 PM
Thouse
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


I too would recommend the 135L if you want sharpness. Zoom is good but a whole lot more $$......maybe a worthwhile investment when soccer starts. That's where I'm at now and used my zoom for soccer all of last season.


Jan 22, 2014 at 08:51 PM
Thouse
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


Lutefisker wrote:
At some point, af speed becomes an issue. I find the 135 af to be a little slow for the subjects I photograph whereas the 70-200 is very fast. As your subjects get faster, you'll need to shoot at high shutter speeds, and your need for IS goes away.


Really.......my 135L AF is just as fast, if not faster than my 70-200L. I'm using both a 1Ds2 and a 5D2.



Jan 22, 2014 at 08:53 PM
splathrop
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


Get the 70-200 with IS. Don't worry about the white. At performances you can go to the back of the hall and shoot from there, in the dark. Outdoors for sports, you will be too far away for your subjects to notice. It will work great with the 6D.


Jan 22, 2014 at 09:01 PM
Lutefisker
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


Thouse wrote:
Really.......my 135L AF is just as fast, if not faster than my 70-200L. I'm using both a 1Ds2 and a 5D2.



Don't know why the difference, but I don't use the 135 for dance/theatre because of the noticeably slow af.



Jan 22, 2014 at 09:12 PM
Paul Mo
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?




jcolwell wrote:
Well, this is one of the occasions when a white 70-200/2.8 is the best solution.

The 135/2L is an excellent lens.


Exactly. I love my 135 but the 70-200 is one of the most versatile lenses.



Jan 22, 2014 at 09:19 PM
JimboCin
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


I have the 135 f/2.0, the 200 f/2.8, the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS Mk II, and previously had the earlier Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS.

Having kids and now grandkids, I shoot all the things you shoot now and will be shooting. Ballet classes, dance recitals, on to college and professional sports.

The 135 f/2.0 and 200 f/2.8 prime lenses are both phenomenal lenses. Reasonably small, reasonably light weight, and reasonably priced. Between the two I would decide based on which focal length you feel would better meet your needs, and how important the f/2.0 of the 135 is to you. (Personally I did not care that much for my 135 with the 1.4x - either the Mk II or the Mk III. I felt the 200 f/2.8 blew it away).

BUT, having said that, knowing what I know now I would not bother with purchasing either of these lenses. That is how darn good the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 Mk II is. Obviously it gives you the range of focal lengths that a prime can't do. The image stabilization is nothing short of phenomenal. For plays, dance recitals, ballet and the like the IS has allowed me to get shots that others simply can't get with lesser equipment. And I have found that it takes a 1.4x VERY well, giving me the equivalent of a 280 f/4.0, which is very useful for field sports such as soccer, football, lacrosse, etc.

It sounds like the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 Mk II may be out of your budget range right now, but sooner or later you WILL have one.



Jan 22, 2014 at 09:52 PM
Trevor Sowers
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


I have both the lenses you are asking about. I think for the uses you have in mind the 135L would be more useful. They are both nice and they fit into most camera bags (unlike the big zooms). I just pick my seat based on my lens and I'm good to go


Jan 23, 2014 at 07:56 AM
galenapass
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Children's performances/sports - 135mm F/2, 200 F/2.8, or other?


I like the 135L as a compromise compared with the 70-200. I personally don't like the size of the 70-200 - the 135 is much more discreet and at f/2 gathers more light for darker venues. Buy a used version of the 135L on the B&S, and if you don't like it resell the lens for what you bought it for (or nearly so). I personally feel no need for a huge 70-200 f/2.8. Been there, done that.


Jan 23, 2014 at 09:07 AM
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