85mm f/1.8 lens for volleyball game

[blueagle]

I use a 85mm f/1.8 lens to take volleyball games. I feel I can't take good pictures with it because I'm too close to the court. What lens would you suggest a 50mm f/1.8? Can't move around a lot unless I go to where they serve but I'll be taking there back against me. Any suggestions?

[brmill26]

The 50mm f/1.8 would probably be a great choice. If the 85 is too tight, the 50 should fit pretty well. In any case, the 50mm is a great lens that anyone should have in his arsenal, especially at the $70 price.

The 50mm is the only lens I have, so if you want to look through my photos in the zooomr gallery in my sig or the user gallery here, that should give you a rough idea. Quite a few of my images are crops, though, so bear in mind they may look tighter than they really are.

[BFiredup]

I have never done volleyball as of yet, but the 85 is all I use for my basketball pics...but like you said....I am not limited to where I can be on the court....that could be a problem...

I am interested in the 50mm myself just to have in case.....

[blueagle]

Brad thanks for input. For the price I might try one. BFireup I see you have 70-200mm USM IS F/208l lens, Is the lens pretty flexible from any distance. Could yo tell me how close can you use it in taking pictures up close in a game, then how far out on the court. Thanks, I just new with cameras and just learning what lens to use for indoor sports. My daughter plays basketball and volleyball.

[blueagle]

BFiredup, the pictures in your gallery taking park and rec what lens did you use and did you crop them ? Thanks

[BFiredup]

Blueagle, I have only been using my 85mm for basketball this year, and some of the shots from the other end of the court have been cropped. I love my 2.8, but only used it a couple of times for basketball, only because of the weight. I was having shoulder problems after shooting a few games in a days time, so I switched out. The larger lens is wonderful for both up close and down court. Would work well for you. And there are some Pro's here that will tell you, they never take theirs off their camera. And they get awsome results.
I will be breaking the Mac Daddy (what I call it, because of the size and the looks you get when you use it..LOL) back out for baseball. Not sure if I helped you or not, but I am sure someone else will jump in and let you know what they think. Oh yeah, none of my basketball pictures are with a flash....No flash needed really for the 85mm or the 70-200 f/2.8, but......the shots I see here, where they use the sunpack flashes, really show a difference in color pop!

Hope I could help..

[JSPhoto]

I'm one of those who rarely take the 70-200 off the camera, even in the worst light with no fash it's a superior lens and fast focus in low light, although the higher quality body the faster the AF on a Canon.... ie: a Rebel won't AF as quick as a 1D.
Having used a 50mm it's not a good sports len, yes it's faster but the AF is really slow.

JS