[tripleml]

I mainly use my Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 for basketball but also will shoot some with a Sigma 10-20. I also use my Pentax 50mm f/1.4 some and crop if necessary. Here was a shot that I found interesting from last week. I was sitting behind the basket using the 10-20 lens. ISO was 6400 since it is not a fast lens.

Great shot even with the ref in the way. It's a nice frame

---------- Post added 12-09-16 at 07:32 AM ----------

Yep. Been there and done that. Fast lens for higher shutter speeds and quicker focusing and reactions. I have used manual fifties and Catch in Focus for years. Mind you, I have had a lot of years with a Pentax in front of my face: 55 the last time I counted.

---------- Post added 2016-12-08 at 16:16 ----------

That is one neat shot. The depth of field with that wide wide is fantastic!

I'll try the 50 and I'm shopping around for the 50-135 - thanks to all for tips, it's exactly what I needed.

[tripleml]

Thanks to those who replied to my request for help when shooting basketball shots. I have now shot 2 games with my 50mm 1.8 lens and they are the best snaps I've gotten probably out of all the games I've been to in the last few years. Now, I just need to get them a bit sharper and I'd like a little more length on my lens so I thought I'd ask what you all thought about the Sigma 17 - 70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro AutoFocus Wide Angle Zoom Lens - this is a cheaper lens than the 50-135 which was suggested (and I may bite the bullet and purchase, but exploring a few other options first) but I am not sure if it will do for me what I want - any thoughts?

Things I noticed using the Pentax smc DA 50mm f/1.8 Lens:
1. I was able to capture photos using a lower ISO (400-800) than with the other zoom lenses I tried, I assume that is because of the lower f stop.
2. I was able to capture photos with a higher shutter speed which I could not do well indoors with any of my others lenses.

So, does anyone think the Sigma 17-70 lens is worth trying - specifically to use it for this purpose?

Appreciate all of your feedback so far.
Michele

[slip]

Thanks to those who replied to my request for help when shooting basketball shots. I have now shot 2 games with my 50mm 1.8 lens and they are the best snaps I've gotten probably out of all the games I've been to in the last few years. Now, I just need to get them a bit sharper and I'd like a little more length on my lens so I thought I'd ask what you all thought about the Sigma 17 - 70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro AutoFocus Wide Angle Zoom Lens - this is a cheaper lens than the 50-135 which was suggested (and I may bite the bullet and purchase, but exploring a few other options first) but I am not sure if it will do for me what I want - any thoughts?

Things I noticed using the Pentax smc DA 50mm f/1.8 Lens:
1. I was able to capture photos using a lower ISO (400-800) than with the other zoom lenses I tried, I assume that is because of the lower f stop.
2. I was able to capture photos with a higher shutter speed which I could not do well indoors with any of my others lenses.

So, does anyone think the Sigma 17-70 lens is worth trying - specifically to use it for this purpose?

Appreciate all of your feedback so far.
Michele

Hi
My first lens was a Sigma 17_70 and can tell you it is too slow at 70mm which I found it was there the majority of the time.
If you can't afford the 50-135 advertise on the forums you are looking for one with broken SDM and concerted to screw drive. Saves $$ and the focus is in fact faster then SDM

Good luck

Randy

[ScooterMaxi Jim]

Thanks to those who replied to my request for help when shooting basketball shots. I have now shot 2 games with my 50mm 1.8 lens and they are the best snaps I've gotten probably out of all the games I've been to in the last few years. Now, I just need to get them a bit sharper and I'd like a little more length on my lens so I thought I'd ask what you all thought about the Sigma 17 - 70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro AutoFocus Wide Angle Zoom Lens - this is a cheaper lens than the 50-135 which was suggested (and I may bite the bullet and purchase, but exploring a few other options first) but I am not sure if it will do for me what I want - any thoughts?

Things I noticed using the Pentax smc DA 50mm f/1.8 Lens:
1. I was able to capture photos using a lower ISO (400-800) than with the other zoom lenses I tried, I assume that is because of the lower f stop.
2. I was able to capture photos with a higher shutter speed which I could not do well indoors with any of my others lenses.

So, does anyone think the Sigma 17-70 lens is worth trying - specifically to use it for this purpose?

Appreciate all of your feedback so far.
Michele

While I understand the concern about shooting low ISO if possible, I have found that the overall need for at least some margin of error in shooting the K-3 requires f/4-6.3 for the best results. So, shooting ISO 3200 is pretty much a necessary evil. I'm not fond of shooting below about 85mm because it becomes difficult to isolate. My favorite lens for basketball is the lowly Takumar 70-210 - which turns out to be rather capable even when shot wide open (up to about 180mm anyways). The lens is impressively responsive on the K-3. In general, with the K-3 having a very strong screw drive motor, I think screw drive will be at least a bit quicker than any of the fast electronic drive zooms.

The photos in the album linked below start with one DA 50mm shot (at f/2.5), and the rest of the shots are taken with the 70-210 at the middle-to-longer lengths (but not all the way out to 210).
Gophers vs. Northern Illinois - James Robins - Powered by Phanfare

[GvilleRick]

I shot another basketball game this afternoon. It was nice to have a little more light available since it was later afternoon and there are windows at the top of the gym. All using a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8.

[tripleml]

I shot another basketball game this afternoon. It was nice to have a little more light available since it was later afternoon and there are windows at the top of the gym. All using a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8.

Shots are excellent!!

---------- Post added 12-28-16 at 01:16 PM ----------

I shot another basketball game this afternoon. It was nice to have a little more light available since it was later afternoon and there are windows at the top of the gym. All using a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8.

I just ordered the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 to try and see if I can get some shots like these...do you prefer Sigma over Tamron?

[GvilleRick]

Shots are excellent!!

---------- Post added 12-28-16 at 01:16 PM ----------

Thank you. These are the best from a pretty large group.


I just ordered the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 to try and see if I can get some shots like these...do you prefer Sigma over Tamron?

I have owned the Tamron as well and it did a good job. The Sigma is quieter and I shoot a good bit with it shooting plays and such in an auditorium so need the quiet focus. Bth the Tamron and Sigma work well for sports.

[aaacb]

[Canada_Rockies]

I shot another basketball game this afternoon. It was nice to have a little more light available since it was later afternoon and there are windows at the top of the gym. All using a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8.

That last one is superb

[GvilleRick]

That last one is superb

Thanks. It's nice to be able to be close to the action. I just purchased a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 that I look forward to using for basketball.

[GvilleRick]

I purchased a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 in the Marketplace so I used it tonight on my K3 in a girls' basketball game.

[howieb101]

As per title here are some pix:
Zerev vs Haase

Enjoy.

Howie Be

[howieb101]

Pentax K3 with Sigma 70-200 HSM II.

[howieb101]

K3 with Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 HSM II. Enjoy!

Regards,
Howie Be

[howieb101]

K3 with Sigma 70-200mm HSM II.

Howie Be