Photographing swimming & Waterpolo - lens advice required.

[JDyer]

My current setup is a cannon 40D with a 18-55 kit lens, 55-250 and a soon to be purchased nifty fifty. Only had it for a month!

I participate in Swimming, Waterpolo and Triathlons. I have only taken photos a duathlon so far and even though the weather wasn't great i got a few reasonable pictures with the kit lens and 55-250. During the summer when the weather picks up light shouldn't be too much of a problem (hopefully). The swimming and waterpolo could be though and range from swimming pools with lots of light and during the day events to badly lit pools in the evening.

I am on a budget, would i be fooling myself into thinking that a 70-200 f4 would be good enough for this or would i need to go to the 70-200 f2.8 lens? At least with them being fast moving targets i won't be needing the IS!

All advice appreciated.

John

 

[mjukphoto]

I've shot a lot of swimming professional and I can say that lighting in indoor pools can be a lot poorer than it seems to the naked eye, couple with the fact you need a fast shutter speed to freeze the splash of the water for the most striking images and you're goign to need the 2.8. Good news is you won't really need the IS version. I bought a 70-200 non IS 2.8 for 550 off another sports tog so it doesn't have to cost the earth. It's also a fantastic lens for many applications so its certainly not a one trick lens!

 

[barneyrubble]

I've shot a few galas indoors - I found I was at iso 2500-3200 at F2.8 wi my 70-200

 

[mjukphoto]

Ponds Forge in Sheffield is a fantastic pool to shoot at but they only put on all the lights for the finals, never in the heats. Don't know if it's for energy saving reasons or increased spectacle or what. Point is f4 isn't going to cut it. Though you might want to look into something like the 85 f1.8 or 135 f2 which will also hold you in good stead for other indoor sports.