[sub5runner]

I have the K-x and like taking pictures of the sports teams at my school. Right now its volleyball than basketball both indoors with poor lighting. and baseball come fall. I have the kit 18-55, sears 135 f2.8 (macro version), and sears 50 f1.7. I've been using the 135 at 2.8 at 1600 iso. Can't remember the shutter speed. The pictures have been coming out soft to me. not sure if that is because I have got the focus exact or other factors.

Is there any lens that yall would recommend? it seems that the 135 is a little to close sometimes. thinking about looking around for some of the older super-taks as don't have a whole lot to spend.

I'll try to post a couple pics later once i figure out how and once I'm back on my desktop.

[Ash]

Telephotos are harder to focus IMO - larger focus throw and thinner DoF to make margin of error a lot smaller than <50mm lenses.

I'd suggest an AF telephoto. What's your budget. If small, the DA 55-300 would be my first recommendation. If larger, the Tamron 70-200 would be a good choice, with or without its 1.4x TC.

[AOShep]

If you can shoot from court-side you don't need or want a long telephoto. If you have to shoot from the upper bleachers, then the longer the better. I use the DA* 50-135 f/2.8 and M 50 f/1.7 for both volleyball and basketball and the DA* 50-135 for night soccer matches. I also use these for high school drama productions on dress rehearsal nights. I have the K10D and ISO 1600 is just too noisy.
The AF is always a problem but the shots that are focused are sharp. I try to concentrate on one end of the court or the the other then switch ends to get the other perspective.

[stover98074]

I shoot in middle school gyms for basketball and volleyball. I have used an AF 85 at 1.8 and this allows for 1/250 at 1.8 and ISO of 200 to 400.

I use lightroom and then adjust the exposure to add a stop in post processing.

I am now using a MF lens at 2.8 or 2.5 and have ISO set to 400 to 800. I miss a few shots with the MF lens versus AF - but it is for fun and when I do get one I enjoy it. Certainly like the price compared to AF lenses.

A 50 1.4 MF would get more light, but you would have to be close. Any M42 mount lens would do well if it was in decent shape - but the Takumars would be a sure thing in M42. I look for clean aperture, snappy aperture, smooth focus and no fungus. Dust on the lens or in the lens is not such an issue nor if the lens is a little beat up. Of course a non beat up lens in pristine condition is great - but you can widen your net if you consider some that are less than optimal.

A 50 2.0 would work as well and could be shot at 2.0.

[fb_penpho]

This is one area where I have some experience. That experience is with football and rugby games where you are close to the side line and you can move up and down the side line. Both showed the 70-200mm zoom to be a good compromise. 70mm for when the play was close to you and 200mm when on the far side. During bright days f4 models are good enough, for dim winter days the f2.8, but then the weight of the lens becomes a factor.

[sub5runner]

how the gym is set up the bleachers are right up against the court. We have another game this Thursday and give it another go with a different lens.

[sub5runner]

Used the sears 50mm f1.7 @ f2 for thursdays game here some results. Shot in RAW unedited. (is there any free softwar e other than GIMP and silypix?) I probably could crop in some. experment later with it.

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[reeftool]

I have used my 55/2 Tak for high school basketball games with pretty good results. I find it a perfect size for the local schools gym. I shot at f/2.8 and ISO 1600 and got enough DOF to cover most of the floor. Your Kx will do better at high ISO than my K10D will. Those 55/2 Taks are all over Ebay for $20-$30. It was the "kit" lens that came with my SP1000 some 30 years ago.