Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

Sports Corner Rules
Sports Corner Resource

FM Forums | Sports Corner | Join Upload & Sell

Archive 2023 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

oguruma
Online
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

I've sold off all of my big glass when I switched to Canon. Now that I'm going back to Nikon, I'm trying to decide which big F2.8 lens to get, primarily for the local football games. At the local games, I have full access to the sidelines and the endzones, and I typically move with the teams down the field. Both of the fields here have pretty decent stadium lighting.

I used to keep the 400 F2.8 on one body, and then the 70-200 F2.8 on another body. I found that often times the 400 F2.8 was too much focal length since I could get close to the action, and ended up using the 70-200 most of the time, even though it meant having to crop quite a bit.

I can't help but think I would be better off with a 300 F2.8 for my needs.

The Sigma 120-300 F2.8 also seems like it would be a pretty useful lens, especially for indoor sports, which I shoot much less than football.

For a lens that will primarily be used something like 60% Football (with the above stipulations), 20% indoor sports, 5% Soccer, and 15% theater/live music, which lens focus length would you get?

300mm? 400mm? 120-300mm?

Jul 17, 2023 at 08:02 PM

kreegerk
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

I am also a Nikon shooter covering sporting events along the lines you mentioned.

I have a couple of qualifying questions for you.

a) what body(s) will you be using?
b) mostly night football?

Jul 17, 2023 at 09:05 PM

carl_g
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

IMO - 400 2.8

Jul 17, 2023 at 10:49 PM

oguruma
Online
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

kreegerk wrote:
I am also a Nikon shooter covering sporting events along the lines you mentioned.

I have a couple of qualifying questions for you.

a) what body(s) will you be using?
b) mostly night football?

a) Z9/Z8
b) Almost all games start after dusk, here.

Jul 17, 2023 at 10:58 PM

kreegerk
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

oguruma wrote:
a) Z9/Z8
b) Almost all games start after dusk, here.

Given I shoot similar sports as you would be… If I were starting over, with only using a Z8/Z9, I would own either the Nikon AF-S FL ED 120-300 F2.8, or the Sigma 120-300 F2.8, because you could always use DX crop mode to get to 450 F2.8 when you need it.

Currently when I use Z9 for night sports (only on well lit fields after dark), I have used my 300F2.8G on my Z9 when I want to just have the 300/450.

I have a 400 F2.8G also, which gives you a 600 F2.8 in crop mode, and some times your angles, or access require that.

I am still not sold on the Z9 yet being superior in low light in same use cases as my D5 does, but that is a whole nother thread

Jul 18, 2023 at 10:14 AM

PureMichigan
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

FWIW, I have two Z9s and a D5, which I now use as my remote. No low-light issues with a Z9 that I would consider in any way problematic. Further, the new Lightroom Denoise (introduced in the past few weeks) is sensational. Except in extraordinary situations, noise just isn't a practical consideration for me in any of my work for the media, colleges or pro teams. If people are making huge prints, well, maybe.

One major change noted elsewhere is the sensational performance of the new Z Series TCs. The loss is absolutely minimal compared to what we came to expect with the F-Mount, I would challenge anyone taking sports pictures to be able to tell the difference with Z-Prime with a 1.4. Add to this the additional crop flexibility from the larger files, and "reach" has never been so cheap, easy and effective. Buy unfortunately you can't pair the new TCs with F-Mount glass.

The OPs only real "problem" here is that the two the lenses that are probably the best fit (300MM 2.8/ 120- aren't yet available in Z - or even on the roadmap.

Based on what is noted, if I were in the OPs position and had to use F-Mount glass, I'd get the Nikon F-120-300MM 2.8 (used!) with an FTZ. Not sure of the compatibility of the Sigma version.

All of that said, you may be the first football photographer I've met to say that 400MM might be too much! Usually the complaint goes in the other direction, but that is likely shooting style issue and we are all different in that respect. For most who shoot football 60% of the time (as OP noted above) that 400MM is the meal ticket if you have the means.

Jul 18, 2023 at 11:28 AM

Creative Edge
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

I shoot High School Football and own both the 400 2.8FL and the Nikon 120-300 2.8 FL.
Since acquiring the 120-300 my 400 2.8 sits unused in the safe.
Main camera is the Z9 with the ftz adapter and must say AF is spot on and blazing fast.
If I miss any shots it is due to user error and not camera or lens fault.
here are a couple taken with the 120-300

Jul 19, 2023 at 10:01 AM

Sports Shooter
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

Back when I was shooting field sports I shot with a 70-200 2.8 and 400 2.8. I also had a 300.2.8 but sold it. When I sold off my 400 2.8 I bought the Sigma 120-200 2.8.
After shooting Canon L glass the 120-300 just didn't match up. Traded it in for a 24-70.
Short version. Night football games My choice was 70-200 2.8 and 400 2.8.

Jul 19, 2023 at 03:23 PM

armstrong.photos
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

Most photogs I've seen shooting american football or rugby with something other than a 400 2.8 have used a 500/300 combo - still gives you the reach for those circumstances, and the 300 goes great on a blackrapid strap. If you're feeling rich, the 120-300 (nikon, not sigma) is unbeaten in the 300mm focal range.

Aug 08, 2023 at 02:24 AM

Scott Sewell
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

Most images I capture at NFL or major college football are with the 400/f2.8 lens. I shoot high school football the exact same way I shoot NFL or college football. Even though I could walk around the entire field during many high school football games, that's what the yearbook photographers and other photographers with shorter glass are doing. And it's not what I would do at a higher-level game.

IMO, treating a high school game much the same way I treat higher level games is one of the things that sets my images apart from many area photographers who only shoot high school football.

Aug 10, 2023 at 08:26 PM

P Alesse
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

Scott Sewell wrote:
IMO, treating a high school game much the same way I treat higher level games is one of the things that sets my images apart from many area photographers who only shoot high school football.

That, and a Mark IV

Aug 13, 2023 at 09:30 PM

rand17
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

kreegerk wrote:
Given I shoot similar sports as you would be… If I were starting over, with only using a Z8/Z9, I would own either the Nikon AF-S FL ED 120-300 F2.8, or the Sigma 120-300 F2.8, because you could always use DX crop mode to get to 450 F2.8 when you need it.

Currently when I use Z9 for night sports (only on well lit fields after dark), I have used my 300F2.8G on my Z9 when I want to just have the 300/450.

I have a 400 F2.8G also, which gives you a 600 F2.8 in crop mode, and some...Show more →

Agreed!! Z9 isn't all that in low light..very disappointing actually, My D5 and D6 are my go to for night games, hell even my D850 is very usable for night games.....Z9 stays home...

Aug 28, 2023 at 09:48 PM

jcnemy
Online
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

A lot of great advice and recommendations have been posted....I'll just dog pile a little by adding my experience.

Used a 300/2.8 for years and finally got a 400/2.8 a couple of years and really enjoyed the extra 100mm. Does allow you to separate from the sideline crowds quicker and offer more real-estate options. Only draw back is the increased weight and loss of maneuverability while managing it. But then again, extra length does afford the need to not move/displace as often.

Aug 29, 2023 at 04:29 AM

kreegerk
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

jcnemy wrote:
A lot of great advice and recommendations have been posted....I'll just dog pile a little by adding my experience.

Used a 300/2.8 for years and finally got a 400/2.8 a couple of years and really enjoyed the extra 100mm. Does allow you to separate from the sideline crowds quicker and offer more real-estate options. Only draw back is the increased weight and loss of maneuverability while managing it. But then again, extra length does afford the need to not move/displace as often.

Agree 100% ... and the image quality of a 400mm F2.8 - is off the charts great for all the primes you can get. This is straight out of camera JPG and Nikon D5.

NIKON D5 400mm f/2.8 1/1600s 1250 ISO +0.3 EV

Sep 03, 2023 at 08:42 PM

cocodrillo
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

I might be the crazy outlier, but I'm also shooting three down football, which is a bigger field. I've very partial to the 600, and with high iso being what it is now so far it hasn't been a huge issue. It is really good for giving a feeling of being 'right in there'. That high ISO matters because it opens up the world of things like a 200-400, which could be killer for things like soccer, too.

Some 600mm f4 samples under the lights... I think I"m shooting 6400, 1/1250th wide open, if memory serves.

Sep 03, 2023 at 09:41 PM

jwolfe
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

It depends on a couple of factors.

If I was starting a kit right now for football I’d shoot with the z 400mm 4.5 on one body and a 28-75 or 24-70 on the other. Lightweight and I can be much more mobile than the guys hauling big glass around.

If you want maximum image quality and to blow out the background there’s no comparison to a 400 2.8. But it’s very very heavy and cumbersome unless you want to sit in the end zone.

Another great option that a ton of NFL shooters use is the 180-400 f4. Now you can zoom out as you track a play.

Lots of great options!

Sep 04, 2023 at 06:23 PM

joshpb
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

Z6 ii may be a better option if low light is a concern. Z9 & Z8 sensors are not as good in low light in part because of their high resolution (and therefore small pixel size) DXO mark ranks the performance of the z6 ii the same at ISO 3300 as the equivalent to the Z9 at ISO 2450. Up side to larger sensor is being able to shoot an in camera crop.

400mm has been my preference when I had both it and the 300m available to me. However I was a big fan of the 120-300mm range when I tested a Sigma back in the day.

Sep 04, 2023 at 07:51 PM

carl_g
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

joshpb wrote:
Z6 ii may be a better option if low light is a concern. Z9 & Z8 sensors are not as good in low light in part because of their high resolution (and therefore small pixel size) DXO mark ranks the performance of the z6 ii the same at ISO 3300 as the equivalent to the Z9 at ISO 2450. Up side to larger sensor is being able to shoot an in camera crop.

400mm has been my preference when I had both it and the 300m available to me. However I was a big fan of the 120-300mm range when I...Show more →
The only z cameras you should use for sports at this point are a z9 or z8 if you can’t afford the flagship. As for glass if you are shooting anytime when the lights are on you must have 2.8 lenses.

Sep 05, 2023 at 07:13 PM

GeorgeR
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

cocodrillo wrote:
I might be the crazy outlier, but I'm also shooting three down football, which is a bigger field. I've very partial to the 600, and with high iso being what it is now so far it hasn't been a huge issue. It is really good for giving a feeling of being 'right in there'. That high ISO matters because it opens up the world of things like a 200-400, which could be killer for things like soccer, too.

Some 600mm f4 samples under the lights... I think I"m shooting 6400, 1/1250th wide open, if memory serves.

For years I shot with a 200-400 f4 hand held on one body and a 600mm f4 on a monopod on the other, day or night in a pro or D1 college stadium. They are never too long for football, soccer, baseball or any other sports I would shoot. Now it would be the 180-400 f4 TC on one body and the new 600mm f4 TC Z S on the other. Occasionally I would carry a 3rd body with a wider angle lens to get crowd shots and celebrations but the 200 side of the zoom on a full frame body is wide enough for action even at or over the goal line, especially when the action isn't directly in front of you.

For High School stadium type lighting I would use a 400 f2.8 and 70-200 f.2.8

Sep 19, 2023 at 11:18 PM

pasblues
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Best "big glass" focal length for football?

oguruma wrote:
I've sold off all of my big glass when I switched to Canon. Now that I'm going back to Nikon, I'm trying to decide which big F2.8 lens to get, primarily for the local football games. At the local games, I have full access to the sidelines and the endzones, and I typically move with the teams down the field. Both of the fields here have pretty decent stadium lighting.

I used to keep the 400 F2.8 on one body, and then the 70-200 F2.8 on another body. I found that often times the 400 F2.8 was too much focal...Show more →

The Siggy 120-300 f2.8 OS is a great lens for football. It's a big heavy and needs a monopod, though. If you go for key shots towards the end zone, it will do everything you actually need. I don't need a bunch of shots of the quarterback dropping back or a pile of players. Touchdowns, etc. at the end zone are what I'm after. That said, the most useful lens is a 70-200 f2.8. I know it seems not very exciting but, used well, it will get the key plays at the endzone, which is what most people want to see anyway - touchdowns or attempts at touchdowns.

I often saw banks of photographers on the sidelines missing plays with their long lenses on monopods. I know it's a little crazy to shoot at lower SS but I'm able to play a bit since I only actually need a couple of shots for publication - and getting creative allows me to get some motion blur. I probably am a loner in this thinking - but a sprinkling of well-placed motion blur in sports can be a fun result. The general consensus is that, no, everything has to be perfectly frozen and tack.

My preferred lenses are the Sony 70-200 and 100-400. They are lightweight enough I can carry both of them, two bodies, two lenses and switch between those pretty quickly.

My partner shoots with the Siggy 120-300 on a Nikon body - preferably the D750, which is the best of the Nikon DSLR's we own. When it's on point, it's a great carry. However, that said, we also have the Siggy 50-500 OS. Yeah, I know, nobody loves it - thus it's highly underrated. But, it's lighter weight and has that OS. Still need a monopod IMHO. It's got great reach. It cost $500 on the used market - because it's a red-headed step child "not the latest and greatest" gear.

ILCE-9 FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS lens 200mm f/2.8 1/640s 3200 ISO 0.0 EV

ILCE-9 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens 400mm f/5.6 1/250s 6400 ISO 0.0 EV

NIKON D750 50.0-500.0 mm f/4.5-6.3 lens 500mm f/6.3 1/800s 7200 ISO 0.0 EV

Jan 01, 2024 at 02:07 PM


FM Forums \| Sports Corner \| Join Upload & Sell

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.