Lens recommendation

Discussion in 'Badminton Photography' started by cheeyf, Jan 24, 2014.

  1. cheeyf

    cheeyf Regular Member

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    Need some help here.
    I am planning to upgrade my lense.
    Looking for a zoom lens which is suitable for badminton photography.
    Budget is about RM1.5K.
    Any recommendations?
    Im using Nikon cam.
    Thanks :)
     
  2. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    what choices available in your locality for that price?

    Where do you plan to take the photos? In local halls?
     
  3. cheeyf

    cheeyf Regular Member

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    hi Cheung,

    this are the choices i know:

    Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G
    Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G
    Tamron 18-270mm f3.5-6.3
    Tamron 18-200mm f3.5-6.3

    if i have more budget, i will consider Nikon 18-300mm but over budget :(
    thanks
     
  4. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    Hmm, tough.

    1) What are your expectations of quality for the badminton photos? These lenses are not for indoor photography unless you have flash. Problem is that they don't let enough light in, so shutter stays open for longer and you get blurring of people from them moving (and your own hands moving).

    2) Superzooms are rather poor in photo quality. If you are not familiar with cameras, the zoom length looks attractive. However, the bigger the range of zoom length, the poorer quality of photos the lens will give you.

    3) If solely for badminton photography, I advise save your money and try to borrow a nicer lens from a friend who you are extra nice to!

    Forgot to ask what camera model is your Nikon?

    Note: The photos you see on BC are taken with very good lenses. The costs of such zoom lenses are over RM5,000. Hence, the question of how happy you would be with quality. Some people will examine minute detail of focus before they are happy with a shot, so from those people, you only see the very, very good pics posted on BC.
     
  5. cheeyf

    cheeyf Regular Member

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    forgot to state that i plan to take pics in badminton hall and stadiums for tourneys.
    i am just beginner. i like to shoot sports photography especially badminton. realized that my budget is not enough, a moderate to good quality will do. i am using nikon D5100.
    thanks
     
  6. wongmb

    wongmb Regular Member

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    Unless the gym is super bright or u sit every close, none of those are fast enough for zoom in indoor pic.
     
  7. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    For tournaments which are televised, the light is better and you can use the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VR II.

    I have played in some of the halls in Malaysia. The lighting is usually really poor and do not have too high expectation even with the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VR II.
     
  8. Orangie

    Orangie Regular Member

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    unless you are here...
    P6239755.jpg

    From the spectator stand, have to shoot at iso 1600, S at 1/320 and widest A.
    Focal length 83mm
    exposure 1/320
    F number 3.1
    ISO 1600
    P6239940.jpg
     
    #8 Orangie, Jan 28, 2014
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2014

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