9+ Best Lenses For Basketball Photography | Unrivaled Guide 2024

Using a lens for Basketball Photography is a must to capture players as accurately as possible. This lens must meet many criteria and be very responsive to freeze moving subjects and capture the action, even when it takes place at the other end of the field. To achieve this level of performance, find out without delay which is the best lens for Basketball Photography according to your requirements

Best Lenses For Basketball Photography

Basketball is one of the most dynamic indoor sports, and it happens so fast that it is perfect for photography, and while many photographers don’t have the opportunity to shoot an NBA game, it is easy to shoot a basketball at a local team or high school gym.

Most of the time, you sit directly in front of the court for the game, so you are very close to the players. However, lens selection is very important.

If this is your first time shooting basketball and you are not sure which lens to choose.

So, here are what I consider to be the best lenses for basketball photography.

Even if you are not interested in any of them, please read to the end, as I am sure the tips at the end will help you.

Best Lenses For Basketball Photography | Comparison Table 2024

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Best Lenses For Basketball Photography | 2024 Products Overview

1. Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 Sports Best Lenses For Basketball Photography

The product is a professional-grade lens, specifically the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens. It features 9 FLD and 1 SLD low-dispersion glass elements for exceptional optical performance. The lens is built with a dust- and splash-proof structure, ensuring durability in various shooting conditions. Its 11-blade rounded diaphragm creates ultra-smooth bokeh, enhancing the aesthetic quality of out-of-focus areas.

Constructed with a magnesium alloy barrel, the lens is both robust and lightweight. It incorporates a tripod socket with 90 click stops and an Arca Swiss type clamp, providing versatile mounting options. The Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 lens is considered essential for professional photographers, excelling in challenging scenes such as news, sports, landscapes, and portraits. Part of Sigma’s Sports line, it not only delivers outstanding optical performance but also ensures precise action-capture capabilities to meet the demands of photographers.

Product Overview:

The Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 Sports DG OS HSM is a telephoto lens designed for use with Canon EF, EF-S, and EF mount cameras. It has a focal length range of 70-200 mm, making it a versatile lens for a variety of shooting situations, such as sports, portraits, and wildlife photography.

One of the key features of this lens is its optical construction, which includes 9 FLD (Fluorite Low Dispersion) and 1 SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass element. These elements help to reduce chromatic aberrations and provide sharp, clear images with accurate color reproduction. Additionally, the lens has a dust- and splash-proof structure, making it suitable for use in challenging outdoor environments.

The lens also has a number of other features that enhance its performance and user experience. For example, it has an 11-blade rounded diaphragm that creates an ultra-smooth bokeh, which is especially desirable for portrait and wildlife photography.

The lens barrel is made of magnesium alloy, which is both lightweight and durable. Additionally, the lens has a tripod socket with 90 click stops and an Arca Swiss-type clamp, which makes it easy to mount to a tripod or other support. It’s important to note that this product is designed for use in the US, and may require an adapter or converter for use in other countries.

2. Sony FE 135mm F1.8 G Master Lens for Shooting sports like BasketBall

The product is a high-performance lens, specifically the Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM, featuring a maximum aperture of F1.8 for excellent exposure control and depth of field. Designed with G Master optics, it delivers extraordinary sharpness and produces breathtaking bokeh, making it suitable for a variety of photographic applications.

Incorporating XA, Super ED, and ED elements, this lens achieves edge-to-edge high resolution. The 11-blade circular aperture contributes to creating gorgeous bokeh, enhancing the visual appeal of out-of-focus areas in images. Equipped with four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors, the lens provides fast, quiet, and precise autofocus, ensuring quick and accurate focusing.

Included in the package are essential accessories like the hood (ALC-SH156), lens front cap (ALC-F82S), lens rear cap (ALC-R1EM), and a protective case. The Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM lens is designed to meet the demands of professional photographers, offering exceptional optical performance and creative possibilities.

Product Overview:

The Sony FE 135mm F1.8 G Master Telephoto Prime Lens is a high-performance lens designed for use with Sony E-Mount cameras. It has a focal length of 135mm and a maximum aperture of F1.8, making it a great choice for capturing images with a narrow depth of field and beautiful bokeh.

One of the key features of this lens is its advanced optical design, which includes XA, Super ED, and ED glass elements. These elements work together to maintain high corner-to-corner resolution throughout the focus range, even at the maximum aperture of F1.8. Additionally, the lens employs four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors to drive two focus groups, providing fast, quiet, and precise autofocus.

The lens also has a number of other features that enhance its performance and user experience. For example, it has an 11-blade circular aperture that contributes to the beautiful bokeh, making it a great choice for portrait and other shallow depth-of-field photography.

The lens also comes with an included hood (alc-sh156), lens front cap (alc-f82s), lens rear cap (alc-r1em), and case, providing additional protection and convenience. This G master lens is designed to deliver extraordinary sharpness and breathtaking bokeh, it is perfect for professional photographers and videographers.

3. Sigma 100-400mm

The Sigma 100-400mm 5-6.3 DG HSM OS Contemporary is a versatile telephoto zoom lens designed for full-frame cameras with APS-C compatibility. Its compact size doesn't compromise on image quality, making it ideal for travel, wildlife, nature, and bird photography. With a 67mm filter size, this lens offers convenience and portability.

Equipped with Sigma's Optical Stabilizer (OS), the lens is remarkably compact and lightweight compared to similar products on the market. The push/pull zooming function and a new Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) provide a responsive and flexible approach to photography. Additionally, it features a 1:3.8 macro function, allowing for close-up shots both near and far. Overall, this lens brings a new level of portability and quality to the super telephoto market.

Product Overview:

The Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens is a versatile zoom lens designed for use with Nikon F mount cameras. It has a focal length range of 100-400mm, making it suitable for a wide range of photography applications, such as travel, wildlife, nature, and bird photography.

One of the key features of this lens is its compact size, which makes it easy to take with you on the go. Despite its small size, the lens is designed to deliver strong image quality. It uses four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass lens elements and an optimized power distribution to minimize optical aberrations, ensuring outstanding image quality throughout the zoom range.

The lens also has a number of other features that enhance its performance and user experience. For example, it has an optical stabilizer (OS) that helps to reduce camera shake and improve image sharpness. It also has a hypersonic motor (HSM) with an updated algorithm for fast autofocus and a focus limiter that allows you to limit the focusing range of the lens, which can be useful when shooting fast-moving subjects.

The lens is also compatible with the Sigma USB Dock, which allows you to customize the lens' focusing and other settings. It also comes with a 4-year USA warranty.

4. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 80-400mm

The product is a Nikon telephoto zoom lens, specifically designed for FX-format cameras with a Nikon F Bayonet mount. This lens is capable of focusing as close as 5.7 feet during autofocus operation, providing versatility in capturing various subjects. It features Vibration Reduction technology, enhancing image stability and reducing the impact of camera shake.

With a maximum diameter of approximately 95.5 millimeters and a distance of 203 millimeters from the camera lens mount flange, the lens offers a compact and manageable design. The weight is approximately 3.5 pounds (1570 grams) including the tripod collar, based on CIPA guidelines, and approximately 1480 grams (3.3 pounds) without the tripod collar. Overall, this Nikon telephoto zoom lens is suitable for FX-format photography, offering close focusing capabilities and vibration reduction for clear and stable images.

Product Overview:

The Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens is a telephoto lens designed for use with Nikon FX-format DSLR cameras. It has a focal length range of 80-400mm, making it suitable for a wide range of photography applications, such as events, portraits, and wildlife photography.

One of the key features of this lens is its Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, which helps to reduce camera shake and improve image sharpness. Additionally, it has a silent wave motor (SWM) that enables ultra-fast, ultra-quiet autofocusing with seamless manual focus override. It also has a close focus capability of 4.6 feet which makes it a great option for formal or environmental portraits.

The lens also has a number of other features that enhance its performance and user experience. For example, it has a focal length range of 80-400mm, which covers all of the most useful portrait ranges, 85mm, 105mm, and 200mm. Additionally, it has a maximum diameter of 95.5mm and a weight of 3.5 pounds (1570 grams) including the tripod collar, making it easy to handle and maneuver.

It is an update to Nikon’s legendary f/2.8 fixed aperture telephoto zoom lens, the AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II captures stunning full-frame images with remarkable speed and precision, making it a perfect choice for professional photographers and videographers.

5. Canon EF 70-200mm Lens for basketball photography

The featured product is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM, a professional telephoto zoom lens designed for Canon cameras. Notable features include a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range, allowing for excellent low-light performance and background blur. Canon's Air Sphere Coating (ASC) minimizes ghosting and flare, ensuring high-quality images.

The lens incorporates Optical Image Stabilization, providing up to 3.5 stops of shake correction for sharp and steady shots. It is equipped with a fluorine coating on front and rear elements to reduce smears and fingerprints. Highly resistant to dust and water, this lens offers improved durability, making it suitable for use in harsh conditions.

The construction includes one fluorite element and five UD elements, contributing to high image quality. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) and a diagonal angle of view ranging from 34° to 12°. The inner focusing system with a Ring Ultrasonic Motor ensures fast and silent autofocus, and full-time manual focus is also available.

The package includes the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens, lens cap E-77II, lens dust cap E, lens hood ET-87, and lens case LZ1326. This Canon telephoto zoom lens is an ideal choice for professional photographers seeking exceptional optical performance and durability.

Product Overview:

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens is a high-performance telephoto lens designed for use with Canon digital SLR cameras. It has a focal length range of 70-200mm and a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range, making it a great choice for capturing images with a narrow depth of field and beautiful bokeh.

One of the key features of this lens is its Canon Air Sphere Coating (ASC) technology, which minimizes ghosting and flare, resulting in clearer and more vibrant images. Additionally, it has an optical image stabilization system that provides up to 3.5 stops of shake correction, allowing you to capture sharp images even in low-light conditions.

The lens also has a number of other features that enhance its performance and user experience. For example, it has a fluorine coating on the front and rear elements that helps to reduce smears and fingerprints. It also has a durable and weather-resistant design, making it highly resistant to dust and water and suitable for use in harsh conditions.

It also has an inner focusing system with a ring ultrasonic motor, full-time manual focus, and a minimum focusing distance of 3.9 feet (1.2 meters). The lens also comes with a lens cap, lens dust cap, lens hood, and lens case, providing additional protection and convenience.

6. Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens

The product is a Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens, featuring a Micro UltraSonic Motor (USM) for fast and quiet autofocus. With a fixed focal length of 135mm and a closest focusing distance of 3 feet, this lens is optimized for telephoto photography, making it suitable for portraits and other distant subjects.

Constructed with Ultra-low Dispersion glass and Fluorite elements, the lens ensures high image quality by minimizing chromatic aberrations. The inner focusing ring enhances the overall focus performance. It has an EF mount and a wide maximum aperture of f/2, allowing for excellent low-light performance and background blur.

The lens has a prime design and is not zoomable, providing a fixed focal length of 135mm. Overall, the Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM lens is an ideal choice for photographers seeking a high-quality telephoto lens with a wide aperture for creative and professional applications.

Product Overview:

The Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens is a high-performance telephoto lens designed for use with Canon SLR cameras. It has a fixed focal length of 135mm and a maximum aperture of f/2, making it ideal for indoor sports photography and portraits with background blur.

One of the key features of this lens is its Micro UltraSonic Motor (USM), which provides fast, quiet, and precise autofocus capabilities. Additionally, it has two UD glass elements that help to minimize chromatic aberrations, resulting in sharper and more vibrant images. The lens also has a manual focus function, even when the camera is in AF mode, that allows you to have more control over the focus of your images.

The lens also has a number of other features that enhance its performance and user experience. For example, it has a 3-foot close focusing distance, which allows you to get close to your subjects and capture detailed images. Additionally, it has a 72mm filter size and it is compatible with EF 1.4x II and 2x II extenders, which can help to expand the range of focal lengths. The lens also comes with a one-year warranty and it is easy to handle and maneuver, making it a perfect choice for professional photographers and videographers.

7. Canon EF 100mm f/2 Budget lens for sports photography canon

The product is a Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM lens, featuring a versatile focal length and a wide aperture of f/2. The lens construction consists of 8 elements in 6 groups, providing high-quality optics. With a diagonal angle of view of 24 degrees, this lens is well-suited for various applications, including portraits and close-up photography.

The lens utilizes a rear focusing system with USM (Ultrasonic Motor) focus adjustment, enabling fast and precise autofocus. The closest focusing distance is 0.9 meters (3 feet), allowing for detailed close-ups. The lens is characterized by its spectacular optics, robust mechanics with a metal filter thread, and a lightweight design.

It offers both fast auto and manual focus capabilities, with instant manual-focus override by simply grabbing the focus ring. The Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM lens is known for its combination of great handling, optical performance, and an affordable price point, making it a popular choice among photographers seeking a versatile and cost-effective prime lens.

Product Overview:

The Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM Lens is a high-performance telephoto lens designed for use with Canon EF mount cameras. It has a focal length of 100mm and a maximum aperture of f/2, making it ideal for portraits and low-light work. The lens is relatively compact despite its large maximum aperture, which makes it perfect for photographers who need to be mobile and take their lenses with them on the go.

The lens construction is made up of 8 elements in 6 groups, which help to minimize chromatic aberrations and produce sharp and crisp images at all apertures. It also has a rear focusing system with USM focus adjustment, which allows for quick and quiet autofocus. The lens also has a closest focusing distance of 0.9m/3 ft, which allows you to get close to your subjects and capture detailed images.

The lens is also ideal for portraits, as it creates excellent background blur, giving your images a professional look. Additionally, it has a filter size of 58 mm and it's compatible with full-time manual focusing, which allows you to have more control over the focus of your images. It's a versatile lens that can be used in creative ways to capture subjects with a natural angle of view and perspective.

8. Sigma 50-100mm F1.8

The product is a Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens, designed for APS-C format DSLR cameras. This lens covers three popular short telephoto focal lengths equivalent to 85mm, 105mm, and 135mm when considering the crop factor. It provides a constant wide aperture of f/1.8 throughout the zoom range, making it unique in its category.

As part of Sigma's Art line, this lens delivers exceptional sharpness, even when wide open, rivaling prime lenses. With its versatile focal lengths and fast aperture, it is expected to be popular among both still photographers and videographers. The lens is known for being the world's first APS-C zoom for DSLRs offering a constant f/1.8 aperture value throughout the zoom range, providing creative flexibility for various shooting situations.

Product Overview:

The Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens for Canon is a versatile and high-performance normal lens that is compatible with Canon EF mount cameras. This lens covers three very popular short telephoto focal lengths when crop factor is considered: 85mm, 105mm, and 135mm. With a 75-150mm constant F1.8 aperture zoom, it is perfect for a wide range of photography, including portraits, action, and low-light scenarios.

As an Art lens, the sharpness of this lens, even when shot wide open, will rival that of prime lenses while offering the convenience of a zoom lens. Its constant F1.8 aperture ensures that your photos will have excellent bokeh and low-light performance. The lens also features a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for fast and quiet autofocus, making it an excellent choice for both still photographers and videographers.

Additionally, this lens is designed with Sigma's own SLD (Special Low Dispersion) and ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements to minimize aberrations and provide excellent image quality throughout the zoom range.

The lens also has a dust- and splash-proof structure, making it suitable for use in harsh environments. It's a lens that is expected to be widely popular with both still photographers and videographers, due to its versatility, exceptional image quality, and robust build.

9. Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

The product is the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens, representing Canon's first 85mm L-series lens with Image Stabilization (IS) capability. It features a large and bright f/1.4 aperture, allowing for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur. The built-in Image Stabilization provides up to 4 stops of shake correction, ensuring sharp and clear images even in challenging shooting conditions.

The lens incorporates a GMo (Glass Molded) aspherical lens with Air Sphere Coating (ASC) technology. This sophisticated optical design includes 14 elements in 10 groups, with the aspherical element reducing spherical aberrations and distortion for enhanced sharpness. The ASC coating helps suppress lens flare and ghosting, contributing to improved contrast and color fidelity, especially in backlit situations.

As part of Canon's L-series, the lens is known for its high-quality construction and optical performance, making it suitable for portrait photography and other applications where a short telephoto focal length with a wide aperture is desired.

Product Overview:

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is a telephoto lens that is compatible with Canon EF mount cameras. It has a maximum focal length of 85mm, making it suitable for portrait photography. The lens features a large, bright f/1.4 aperture that allows for a shallow depth of field, producing beautiful background blur and making it easy to operate in low-light situations. Additionally, it has built-in image stabilization, which helps to capture images in a variety of environments without the need for a flash or alternate lighting source.

The lens is part of Canon's L-series, which is known for its high-quality optics and advanced features. The EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM has an advanced optical formula that includes a large-diameter aspherical lens, which helps to deliver sharp and detailed images suitable for a wide range of applications. The lens is also built to last, with a durable design that can withstand harsh environments.

The lens is perfect for handheld use and the IS capability allows for 4 stops of shake correction. The IS and the large aperture of f/1.4 help capture images even in low-light conditions. The lens construction is 14 elements in 10 groups. The lens also features a GMo Aspherical Lens with Air Sphere Coating Technology, which helps to minimize ghosting and flare.

Things To Consider While Choosing The Best Lenses For Basketball Photography 2024 | Ultimate Guide

Types of Lenses for Sports

There are several types of lenses suitable for sports photography. First, if you are buying the best Canon lens for sports, avoid macro lenses. This type of lens is designed for close-up photography.

Instead, look for a lens that will allow you to zoom in and still be in focus at a distance. Here is a look at three main categories of Canon sports lenses.

Telephoto Lenses

Telephoto lenses are ideal for shooting indoor and outdoor sporting events. The best telephoto lenses for Canon will help you capture the entire field or focus on a specific person performing. Telephoto lenses for sports photography are sometimes called zoom lenses, but there are some differences between the two. Telephoto lenses have a longer focal length. This means they can capture the game from within the crowd.

Zoom lenses

When it comes to buying a Canon lens for sports, you can't go wrong with a zoom or superzoom if you are just starting out in photography. These lenses allow you to zoom in on specific subjects on the field or to zoom in on the game. These sports photography lenses are especially suited for indoor photography. Zoom lenses usually offer multiple focal length options in one product. With the right zoom lens, you can easily change the framing of a sports scene.

Primary Lens

Primary lenses have one focal length. This lens can be used for sports photography. However, it does not have the versatility of a telephoto or zoom lens. When it comes to choosing the best Canon lens for low-light photography, some people prefer prime lenses.

Indoor and outdoor basketball photography

Not all sports are played on the same field. Some sports are played outdoors and others are played indoors. A good comparison is between soccer and basketball. Soccer is usually played outdoors on an outdoor field. Basketball, on the other hand, is usually played indoors.

These sports tend to use different ideal lenses.

Telephoto lenses are best for outdoor sports. The ideal focal length for shooting sports indoors is 200-300mm, but it depends on the sport and your position in the crowd. Lenses with adjustable focal lengths are very useful at this point. This allows you to adjust the focal length depending on the distance to your subject and the type of photo you want to take.

Also, a telephoto lens or a zoom lens is preferable for indoor photography, but if you only have a single-lens reflex camera, that will suffice. Prime lenses sometimes help improve the quality of photos in dark places.

However, the type of lens is not the only thing that matters. The shutter speed and aperture value of the lens also affect the quality of the photo. Shutter speed is necessary for shooting fast sports where there is little or no interruption in motion. This type of sports photography also requires a faster autofocus function, as manually focusing on the subject reduces the shutter speed.

Shutter Speed

The shutter speed of the lens indicates how fast the shutter is released, or how fast you can shoot. If you're looking for a sports lens, it's best to choose a slow shutter speed. In sports photography, the subject is moving fast.

Generally, you want to shoot as soon as the subject stops for a few seconds. This applies to both indoor and outdoor sports. The shutter speed should also not be too fast, as this will affect the quality of the image.

Shutter speed is also important when photographing birds and wildlife in general.

Aperture

When looking for a sports lens, you should also consider the value of the aperture. For sports photography, a constant f-number aperture is sometimes recommended. If you're looking for the best lens for sports photography, a good choice would be an aperture of f/4 to f/5.6, which is a typical aperture value for telephoto lenses.

You should also consider the type of sport you are photographing. The larger the lens aperture for sports photography, the greater the depth of field. This is ideal for shooting outdoor sports events. When choosing a Canon action lens with a large aperture, pay attention to the shutter speed. The shutter speed should be neither too fast nor too slow.

High-speed autofocus

Autofocus is another feature that you should definitely consider when purchasing a sports camera lens. Whether you are looking to buy a camera lens or considering which Nikon lens is best for indoor sports photography, you need to consider autofocus.

Autofocus allows the lens to focus on the subject without manual operation. You should also pay attention to the speed of the autofocus function. Some lenses have slower autofocus speeds than others. For sports photography, you don't want a lens that takes several seconds to focus on a subject. You need to make sure that the Canon sports lens you purchase is capable of focusing quickly and efficiently.

Image Stabilization

Image stabilization is another feature to consider when choosing a sports lens. However, not all lenses on the market have image stabilization. In fact, most lenses usually do not have this important feature.

Image stabilization helps improve the results of your shots. It is an essential feature of sports photography. Image stabilization helps reduce flare and ghosting in photos, which is important when shooting moving subjects.

Tips for Shooting a Basketball Game

Open the aperture wide open.

Also, use a monopod or tripod to hold the camera in place, as it is important to prevent blurring in sports photography.

Zoom in on your subject.

If you are seated in the front, you may be fairly close to the pitch, but you need to capture the players' expressions throughout the frame while defocusing on the spectators in the back.

One way to do this is to pre-focus on a stationary subject and wait for the action to occur.

Choosing the Right Shutter Speed

To create a beautiful motion blur, we recommend choosing a slow shutter speed.

Place the camera on a tripod or simply hold it (this can be tricky). Point it at a moving player and shoot when you see an opportunity. This way you will get a nice blur effect on the athletes, and the rest of the picture will be quite sharp.

As above, you can focus on the players beforehand and follow them as you press the shutter release button.

Shooting in RAW mode

Shooting in Raw mode gives you more options for image adjustment and generally improves image quality.

Camera Settings

Manual mode is a good start, and using the lowest possible ISO will allow you to take pictures at the fast enough shutter speeds mentioned earlier. Be aware, however, that the large aperture makes focusing more difficult.

Shooting

And above all, pay attention to the game, Anticipation, and timing are crucial. If necessary, you can use your camera's viewfinder to see the whole game. Don't use your camera's autofocus to spray, keep your eye on the details. This can make you run away at night.

Also, be careful about taking pictures of dribbling players because it looks weird if the ball falls to the ground. When you take a picture of a dribbling player, take the shot so that the ball is in the player's hands

Best Lenses For Basketball Photography | Video Explanation

Frequently Asked Questions :

What kind of lens do I need for basketball photography?

Shooting basketball and sports generally require a telephoto lens, but preferably one type of zoom lens so that you can keep changing lenses until you find the best lens or for different situations.

What is the best range for basketball photography?

I would recommend something with a focal range of 70-200 mm, which is considered the best range for basketball as well as sports in general, but if you need a crazy zoom or are staying far behind or in front of the court, at least 300 meters and something to choose from.

Which focal length to start with?

There are two main ranges of focal lengths for professional sports photographers to start shooting. If you are not using a full-frame camera, look for similar lenses in the same focal length range, taking into account the crop factor.

Depending on the type of terrain of the sporting event you are shooting, you may choose lenses with different focal lengths.

The factors that most influence focal length are undoubtedly the distance to the athletes and the frequency of lens changes. In some sports, such as fencing, you may be able to capture everything with one lens.

What is the best lens for capturing movement?

The lens you choose to capture motion is an important factor in slowing down the motion. What is motion capture? The idea is that the faster the shutter opens and closes, the less time the sensor is open, which freezes the action.

The shutter speed and ISO are controlled by the camera, but the lens determines the third element of the exposure triangle. The aperture is controlled by the lens. The larger the aperture, the more light it lets in, and thus the faster the shutter speed.

Final Words.

Now that I've given you the list of the best lenses for shooting a basketball, as a final touch, I just want to say, "Have fun!" I would like to say.

Sports photography is quite fun and exciting. Being able to see great athletes in the front row and shooting a great game gives you joy and increases your dopamine levels.

I hope you enjoyed my article on the best lenses for basketball photography, until next time, goodbye.

FAQs

What Lens To Use For Basketball Photography?

What Type Of Lens Is Best For Sports Photography?

How Do You Take Good Basketball Pictures?

To take good basketball pictures, here are some tips to follow:

Use a fast shutter speed: Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the action and capture sharp images of the players in motion. A good starting point is 1/500th of a second or faster.

Choose the right lens: Use a telephoto lens with a focal length of at least 70-200mm to zoom in on the action and capture close-up shots of the players. A wider aperture, such as f/2.8, will allow you to blur the background and isolate your subject.

Anticipate the action: Basketball is a fast-paced game, so anticipate the action and be ready to capture the moment. Focus on the player with the ball or the player who is about to make a move.

Use burst mode: Use burst mode to capture a series of shots in quick succession. This will increase your chances of getting a good shot and allow you to choose the best one later.

Pay attention to lighting: Basketball games are often played indoors, which can make it challenging to get good lighting. Try to position yourself near a light source, such as a window, and use a high ISO to capture more light.

Capture emotions: Basketball is an emotional game, so try to capture the players' expressions and reactions. This will help you tell a story with your photos and make them more interesting to look at.

Is A 35mm Lens Good For Sports Photography?

A 35mm lens can be useful for capturing the overall atmosphere of a sports event, such as the crowd or the setting, but it may not be ideal for capturing close-up action shots. For sports photography, lenses with longer focal lengths, such as 70-200mm or 300mm, are often preferred as they allow you to get closer to the action and capture more detail. However, the choice of the lens also depends on the type of sport and the shooting conditions.

Is 300mm Enough For Sports Photography?

A 300mm lens can be sufficient for certain types of sports photography, especially if you have good access to the action or are shooting at close range. However, for larger venues or more distant subjects, you may need a longer lens such as a 400mm or 600mm to capture the action effectively. Additionally, the maximum aperture of the lens is also an important factor to consider when shooting sports, as it affects the ability to freeze motion and isolate the subject from the background. A lens with a wider maximum aperture (such as f/2.8 or f/4) will typically perform better in low-light conditions and allow for faster shutter speeds.

Can I Use A 50mm Lens For Sports Photography?

Using a 50mm lens for sports photography may not be the best choice. While a 50mm lens is a good all-around lens and can produce high-quality images, it may not have the necessary reach to capture the action from a distance. In sports photography, it's important to get close-up shots of the athletes in action, and a lens with a longer focal length is often necessary to achieve this. However, if you are shooting in a small venue, like a gymnasium, and you are able to get close to the action, a 50mm lens could be sufficient.

Is 200mm Enough For Sports?

What Color Lenses Are Best For Sports?

When it comes to sports photography, lens color can affect the way the camera captures the scene. Here are some common lens colors used in sports photography:

1. Clear lenses: These are the most common lenses used in sports photography as they provide accurate color representation and minimal tinting.
2. Yellow lenses: These lenses increase contrast, making them popular for low-light or overcast conditions. They also help to reduce glare.
3. Rose lenses: These lenses are great for enhancing depth perception and are commonly used in snow sports.
4. Blue lenses: Blue lenses are popular for bright conditions, as they help to reduce glare and eye fatigue.

Ultimately, the best color lens for sports photography will depend on the lighting conditions and personal preference.

What Iso Do Sports Photographers Use?

Why Are My Basketball Photos Blurry?

If your basketball photos are blurry, there are a few possible reasons why:

1. Slow shutter speed: If your shutter speed is too slow, it can result in motion blur. Try using a faster shutter speed to freeze the action.
2. Out of focus: If your photos are not in focus, it could be due to using the wrong autofocus mode or not focusing on the right part of the subject. Make sure your camera is set to the appropriate autofocus mode and try focusing on the player's face or eyes.
3. Poor lighting: If there isn't enough light, your camera may choose a slower shutter speed to compensate. This can result in motion blur. Try increasing your ISO or using a wider aperture to let in more light.
4. Camera shake: If your photos are blurry and it's not due to motion blur or focus issues, it could be due to camera shake. Make sure you are holding your camera steady or consider using a tripod or monopod.

By addressing these potential issues, you can improve the sharpness and clarity of your basketball photos.

What Is The Best Shutter Speed And Aperture For Basketball?

The best shutter speed and aperture settings for basketball photography depend on various factors, such as lighting conditions, the speed of the action, and the desired effect. However, as a general guideline, you can start with the following settings:

1. Shutter Speed: Set your shutter speed to at least 1/500th of a second to freeze the action and prevent motion blur. If the lighting is poor, you may need to lower your shutter speed or use a higher ISO.
2. Aperture: Set your aperture to a wide-open setting (low f-number) to blur the background and isolate the subject. This will also allow more light into the camera and give you a faster shutter speed.
3. ISO: Use the lowest possible ISO setting to reduce noise and maintain image quality.

Keep in mind that these settings are just a starting point and may need to be adjusted based on the specific conditions and desired outcome. It is also important to experiment and practice with different settings to find what works best for your style and equipment.

What Is The Best Aperture For Sports Photography?

Why 35mm Lens Is Better Than a 50mm?

Both 35mm and 50mm lenses have their own advantages and disadvantages, and neither is inherently better than the other. It all depends on the photographer's specific needs and shooting style.

However, generally speaking, a 35mm lens is considered better than a 50mm lens for shooting in tight spaces or capturing wider scenes. This is because a 35mm lens has a wider field of view, allowing you to capture more of the scene in a single shot. It is also better suited for street photography and environmental portraiture.

On the other hand, a 50mm lens is better for shooting portraits and is generally more versatile for a variety of photography styles. It also typically has a larger maximum aperture, allowing for more shallow depth-of-field and better low-light performance.

So, it's not a matter of one being better than the other, but rather which one is better suited for the specific type of photography you want to do.

What Is a 35mm Vs 24mm Lens?

Which Is Better 35mm Or 85mm?

The question of whether a 35mm or an 85mm lens is better depends on your specific needs and the type of photography you plan to do.

A 35mm lens is considered a wide-angle lens, which means it has a wider field of view and can capture more of the scene in a single shot. It's great for landscape photography, environmental portraits, and street photography, as it can capture a lot of context around the subject.

An 85mm lens, on the other hand, is considered a medium telephoto lens, which means it has a narrower field of view and can isolate the subject from the background more effectively. It's great for portrait photography, as it can create a shallow depth of field and a pleasing background blur, which can help the subject stand out.

So, if you're looking to capture more of the scene and context around the subject, a 35mm lens may be a better choice. If you want to create more separation between the subject and the background and capture more intimate and detailed portraits, an 85mm lens may be a better choice. However, both lenses can be versatile and can produce stunning results in the right hands.