Originally posted by ThorSanchez I really don't know what pro sports photographers use. I have a buddy who shoots DC United matches for one of their supporters clubs, I should ask. But all I know is standing almost on the sideline of a soccer match the far side of the field requires cropping with a 55-300. If I'm farther away I definitely need some extra reach to get the players to fill the frame and not have every shot look like a random gathering of 14 players. FF and 300mm seems awfully short unless you're moving around the pitch and constantly keeping up with the action.
According to Canon and Nikon who are present at most of the major sport events, the most used lenses by pro photographers are:
1. 400mm f2.8 (this was the most used lens at the World Cup 2018 due to reach and fast aperture)
2. 300mm f2.8 (used at soccer, tennis, basketball, etc.)
3. 200-400mm f4 - the one that has 1.4x TC built in (used a lot at the Olimpics)
4. 70-200mm f2.8 (this lens is usually mounted on the second body)
5. 16-35mm f2.8 (this is a very used lens and is mounted on the third body)
6. 200mm f2 (used indoor)
At outdoor sports like boat racing, skying, etc. they also use 500mm f4 and 600mm f4 lenses.
One of the advantages of pro sport photographers is that they can choose the spot to shoot from and they can change it if they need to. They have this freedom given their press credentials. As an amateur you don't have this luxury and therefore you may need some extra reach on the lens to compensate the lack of a good spot to shoot, which I understand.