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Hello sports photography enthusiasts, are you ready to dust off your camera gear and capture the most epic moments of your favourite sports? We know the action is fast, intense and exciting, so it's essential to have the right lens to capture every detail and make those images podium-worthy. In this article, we'll tell you about the best lens for capturing the action in sports photography. Get your cameras ready, we're getting started! Visit our section on sports and action photography if you're thinking of hiring a photographer 😊

Find out which lens is ideal for sports photography

Find out which lens is ideal for sports photography

If you're a photographer with a passion for sports photography, you'll know that capturing the exact moment of the action is crucial to getting an impactful image. To achieve this, it's important to choose the right lens that allows you to get close enough to your subject to get a sharp, detailed image. Here are some tips on how to choose the ideal lens for sports photography:

1. Focal length: Choose a lens with a focal length suitable for the sport you are photographing. For example, for fast action sports such as football or basketball, a focal length of 70-200mm is recommended to get close to the subject and get good separation from the background. For sports that require a longer distance, such as golf or baseball, a lens of 300mm or more may be necessary to capture the action from a distance.

2. Aperture: The aperture of the lens is important for good sharpness and background separation. Lenses with large apertures, such as f/2.8 or f/4, are recommended for good background separation and to allow more light into the image.

Focusing speed: Focusing speed is important for capturing moving action. Lenses with fast focusing motors are ideal for fast action sports such as football or basketball.

4. Image stabilisation: Image stabilisation is important to avoid blurred images. Lenses with image stabilisation can help to obtain sharper and more detailed images, especially in sports that require a longer distance.

The best lens for capturing the action in sports photography

If you're looking for the best lens to capture the action in sports photography, here are some recommended options:

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM: This lens is an excellent choice for fast action sports, such as football or basketball.

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Its focal length allows you to get close enough to your subject and its f/2.8 aperture allows for good background separation and more light in the image.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR: This lens is another excellent choice for fast action sports, such as football or basketball.

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Its focal length allows you to get close enough to your subject and its f/2.8 aperture allows for good background separation and more light in the image. It also features image stabilisation for sharper images.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS: This lens is an excellent choice for sports that require a longer distance, such as golf or baseball. Its 70-200mm focal length allows you to get closer to your subject and its f/2.8 aperture allows for good background separation and more light in the image. It also features image stabilisation for sharper images.

Learn how to capture the action: Tips for sports photography

Learn how to capture the action: Tips for sports photography

If you're a sports and photography enthusiast, you're sure to love capturing the most exciting moments of matches, races or sporting events. However, photographing sports can be a challenge, especially if you want to get sharp, detailed images of the action. In this article, we give you some tips to help you capture the action like a pro.

The best lens for capturing the action in sports photography

One of the most important elements when photographing sports is the lens you use. Here are some recommended options:

Lens Focal length Maximum opening Recommended uses
70-200mm f/2.8 70-200mm f/2.8 Indoor and outdoor sports, portraits
300mm f/4 300mm f/4 Outdoor sports, wildlife
400mm f/2.8 400mm f/2.8 Outdoor sports, wildlife

As you can see, long focal length lenses are best suited for capturing action in sports. The maximum aperture is also important, as it allows more light to enter the lens and a faster shutter speed can be used.

In addition to the lens, here are some additional tips to get the best sports photos:

  • Use the right shutter speed: to capture the action, you'll need a fast shutter speed. If you are shooting indoor sports, use a shutter speed of at least 1/500th of a second. For outdoor sports, a speed of 1/1000 of a second or faster is recommended.
  • Choose the right focus point: make sure you select the right focus point for the action you want to capture. If you are photographing a football match, focus on the players on the pitch, not the background.
  • Anticipate the action: try to anticipate the action so you can capture the exact moment. If you are photographing a car race, for example, focus on the corner where you know the cars will have to brake.
  • Burst shooting: If your camera has a burst shooting option, use it to capture multiple images of the action. This will allow you to choose the best shot later.
  • Experiment with composition: it is not always necessary to photograph the action from the front. You can try taking photos from a different angle or include the audience or surroundings in the image to give it more context.

With these tips and the right lens, you'll be ready to capture the action at your next sporting event - don't miss the most exciting moments!

Nicoleta Lupu

Nicoleta Lupu

I am Nicoleta Lupu, professional photographer, specialised in corporate and artistic black and white photography. My work has been awarded with international prizes and recognitions 😊.
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