Is this lens good for sporting venues - I.e. does it focus fast and accurately? Specifically basketball.
2060159
I use this lens with a Nikon D5100 and have found that it focuses quite fast indoors but I have shot mainly my kids lego tournament and choir in gyms. Others have taken basketball and volleyball photos - check out photos posted to pixelpeeper.com and the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 HSM group on flickr.com
2060160
I have had no issues with fast and accurate focusing on this lens, in any lighting situation it has preformed great!
2060161
I have not tried it on a sports event yet but it will probably struggle in keeping with the fast action. Auto focus is 'adequate' and not pro-level. I will update this answer when i have the chance to use/test it for that. I can tell you in a moving (freeway speeds)car, shooting at mountains, trees or landscapes, it is fast and accurate.
1705909
I think this is a wonderful lens for sports. Same as Nikon only better build quality and smaller body.
1547555
I haven't used it for sports, I use it more for traveling wide angel stuff, but this is extremely good glass, and is sharp and fast. I am certain it will produce equivalent pictures up close.
1409346
I have not but if this is your main reason for the camera I would not get this one. I noticed it does not have a sports setting. Also it depends on the environment you are shooting in, bright outdoors it will probably be okay but it has a small lens and sensor so i would not want to use it indoors. Also distance is important...closer the better.
1760739
I don't know about sporting events or basketball games but under decent lighting, its great. You can use the camera flash or not, either ways the picture clarity is nice.
496026
Your biggest issue here will be light. F4 isn't the fastest glass for basketball, but if you up your ISO to the 1600-2500 range you should be OK. Remember you only have 105 as the longest zoom, but if you multiply by your crop factor you'll get decent reach. I would also suggest a tripod/monopod.
1681728
This is an outstanding, fast lens used by photojournalists, sports photographers, and enthusiasts the world over. It is one of three zooms carried by nearly every Nikon-shooting professional. it would depend on several factors: your camera body, is it APS or Full Frame, what is it's resolution (if you want to crop), and how well does it control digital noise at high ISO. Also, the actual distance you are from your subject. This lens should meet most of your expectations. If it doesn't, you might need a much more expensive, longer lens, say a 300mm.
2243387
Not a lens for action. Manual focus and an extremelybwidr angle are detrimental factors for action for this lens. More of a niche lens in your bag. Can be used on the sidelines of sports or action but not my first choice to get action.
2034642
I would not use my 85mm for sporting events, I would use my AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED. And use the sports mode on the dial. I am not a pro though.
1967898
medal, this is really nice if you do events and don't want to hold the camera the entire time. i used it yesterday for two basketball games, of course i never sit down but it's easy to move with it on the sidelines. I have a 40d Canon which with longer lens is heavy.
1125760
No, its not "THE" best, but it is one of the best. It is a sharp, quick lens, quite good for low lighting or for a fabulous bokeh. It should be part of your arsenal for sure; I know its part of mine. Cheers
1616518
This will work good any how but slow focusing so if you want it for sport i dont recomend it but for normal shots works perfect
98307
Yes I have used this lens for airshows and motor sports before. But I guess if you were going to be used for football or anything low light no it would not be. My one complaint with the lens is the focus motor is so loud! It really bugs me I have switched to using the sigma 18 250 HSM for that reason alone. I lost 50mm reach but gained the wide angle so that makes up for it. For what the pentax is and the price of its a pretty decent lens if you can deal with loud autofocus motor.
1625793
I've used it for sports and even portraits once in a while. Love that it's weather-sealed and while it's not the fastest focus (as say, the 75mm f/1.8), the limiter switch really helps. I've used it to photograph a few Spartan Races in wet/muddy conditions and it's performed very well for me.
1089498
I have used this camera for shooting my little brother's basketball games. It has done the job pretty well. It has the shutter speed to take clear, crisp pictures, even during quick basketball games. The camera also has a sports setting designed to shoot multiple successive pictures while holding your finger down. All-in-all, it's done the job for me nicely. That being said, I have not used a telephoto lens yet because I haven't been that far away from the action. It's my next goal. Hope this helped a little bit!
2058092
I am using this lens primarily for sports - synchronized swimming. So far only outdoors (wish you would ask it a few months out -the indoor meet is coming up then). It is a beautiful lens for landscaping or nature shots, but so far i cannot say i am 100% satisfied with it for sports. Based on what i see, i can imagine it might be problematic with low-light conditions and sports as even outdoors it still hunts that focus point. But off course reflections can be the cause, at least for me. It probably as good as we can go at this price point, but definitely do not expect flawless photos. As to comparing it against Tamron - sorry, no experience there. I am using this lens primarily for sports - synchronized swimming. So far only outdoors (wish you would ask it a few months out -the indoor meet is coming up then). It is a beautiful lens for landscaping or nature shots, but so far i cannot say i am 100% satisfied with it for sports. Based on what i see, i can imagine it might be problematic with low-light conditions and sports as even outdoors it still hunts that focus point. But off course reflections can be the cause, at least for me. It probably as good as we can go at this price point, but definitely do not expect flawless photos. As... » Read More I am using this lens primarily for sports - synchronized swimming. So far only outdoors (wish you would ask it a few months out -the indoor meet is coming up then). It is a beautiful lens for landscaping or nature shots, but so far i cannot say i am 100% satisfied with it for sports. Based on what i see, i can imagine it might be problematic with low-light conditions and sports as even outdoors it still hunts that focus point. But off course reflections can be the cause, at least for me. It probably as good as we can go at this price point, but definitely do not expect flawless photos. As to comparing it against Tamron - sorry, no experience there. « Show Less
838887
In my experience with the 85Mm f1.8 is that these lenses are not fast compared to others. This is a portrait lens, not a sports lens...