Sports photography lenses?

[Tintype_18]

Curiosity got the best of me. I'm a big fan of baseball and have often pondered the huge lenses I see on the sidelines at a baseball game. I would think those lenses would be a super zoom lens for long distance. However, the field is close to the photographer; not more than 200-400 feet to the outfield. Appreciate anyone shedding some light here.

[kvbarkley]

I am not exactly sure what the question is, but the zooms are large because they are probably f/2.8 to let more light in to allow fast shutter speeds.

[wq9nsc]

John,

For night/poor lighting I use a 70-200 f2.8 on one body and a 400 f2.8 on the other (both 1DX III); for daytime I REALLY like the versatility of the 200-400 f4 with integrated 1.4X extender to replace the 400 f2.8 for the "long" body.  It is very versatile due to the ability to instantly engage the 1.4X extender and it provides very good image quality, not quite up to the incredible 400 f2.8 but very nice.

For softball, the 70-200 f2.8 is the main workhorse.

From yesterday afternoon, first two are from 200-400 f4 without extender, third with 1.4X extender engaged and the last three are with the 70-200 f2.8.  And for fun, the last photo is with a 1DX II and 800 f5.6 lens. I took my 800 f5.6 out a couple of years ago and shot some batters from beyond the fence while standing on my Pelican case.  It was an interesting experience but not something I would do regularly.

It was a great way to spend a fairly warm spring afternoon AND since I came to the park directly from an advisory board meeting at the university I was still wearing a suit causing the ump to declare me the best dressed person on the field 🤣  I think mostly he wanted to try out my 1DX III with 200-400 extender lens and since I like to stay in the good graces of officials I was happy to let him.

Rodger

[ebiggs1]

Although the lens are mostly primes some new zooms have shown up. They are big because of the large open apertures. Baseball photographers I have known use everything from 24mm to 500 or 600mm. Although you may think the distance is not all that far but nobody wants to see a bunch of field. People like to see the face of their favorite player. No different then birders who use long FL lenses although they may only be 20 to 30 feet away. They want a frame filling bird. Not a shot of the landscape. But again it all depends on what you intend to make the main most important thing in the shot.

I believe you have one of the 150-600mm zooms? You could use it for day time baseball with decent results.

[Tintype_18]

Yes, Sigma 150-600mm. Never thought of using it. A tripod would dictate being off so the field isn't blocked.

[Tintype_18]

Great information, great photos to illustrate the various answers, lots to learn and experiment with lenses and settings. So much to learn and so little time. Thanks to all for your input.

[ebiggs1]

The, and my, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens is a great lens for any sports photography. As a matter of fact I bought it used form a an NCAA sports photographer. It is fairly expensive and no longer in production but still available on the used market..

It is the only lens that I have ever had or seen or used or heard about that rivals my beloved ef 70-200mm f2.8L.