Lenses
Different sports favor different lenses, but sports photography usually requires fast (wide aperture) telephoto lenses, with fast autofocus performance. Fast autofocus is needed to focus on movement, telephoto to get close to the action, and wide aperture serves several purposes:
Both zoom and primary lenses are used; zoom – generally in the close or far range – allow a greater range of framing, while primary are faster, cheaper, lighter, and optically superior, while being more restricted in framing.
Apertures of 2.8 or faster are most often used, though f/4 is also found, particularly on brighter days. Particularly visible are the Canon super telephoto lenses, whose distinctive white casing (to dissipate the sun's heat) is recognizable at many sporting events. Of these, the Canon 400mm f/2.8 is particularly recommended for field sports such as football.
This varies with sport and preference; for example golf photographers may prefer to use a 500mm f/4 as opposed to a 400mm f/2.8 as it is a lighter lens to be carried around all day.
- The background is put drastically out of focus, resulting in better subject isolation.
- The lenses can focus more quickly due to the increase in light entering the lens – important with fast-moving action.
- Faster shutter speeds can be used to freeze the action.
Both zoom and primary lenses are used; zoom – generally in the close or far range – allow a greater range of framing, while primary are faster, cheaper, lighter, and optically superior, while being more restricted in framing.
Apertures of 2.8 or faster are most often used, though f/4 is also found, particularly on brighter days. Particularly visible are the Canon super telephoto lenses, whose distinctive white casing (to dissipate the sun's heat) is recognizable at many sporting events. Of these, the Canon 400mm f/2.8 is particularly recommended for field sports such as football.
This varies with sport and preference; for example golf photographers may prefer to use a 500mm f/4 as opposed to a 400mm f/2.8 as it is a lighter lens to be carried around all day.