Professional photographers that specialize in covering sports are particularly demanding when it comes to choosing lenses. Using the right lens can spell the difference between capturing iconic images that might wind up in Sports Illustrated or photos that might not even make the cut for the local newspaper or online sports site. In this article we will discuss the merits of our top-rated sports photography lenses.
Pick The Lens To Suit Your Sport
Images that showcase the magic moments of sports like football, baseball, and soccer are often shot with long, wide-aperture telephoto lenses that have sufficient reach to capture close-up vignettes of distant action, and highlight the most significant aspects of a given play by softening the background. Other sports like tennis and basketball may allow the photographer to get closer to the action so shorter focal-length prime lenses and zooms can also be very effective. However, at indoor venues the light level is often lower, which requires shooting at wide apertures, since using flash may not be an option. Finally, while panning the camera may be an effective technique when shooting horse or motor racing where the action moves straight across the frame, the vast majority of memorable sports images are tack sharp. That requires lenses that deliver superb image quality even at their widest apertures.
Put it all together and you can see why fast pro-caliber telephoto zooms and prime lenses favored by top sports photographers are often more expensive than the full-frame pro-level DSLRs and mirrorless cameras they’re mounted on. Rest assured these folks know wheat they’re doing, because these lenses represent a long-term investment in excellence that lets them consistently capture sports images of the highest caliber. Here’s a brief rundown on a baker’s dozen of great optical options for shooting sports.
Universal Sports Lens: The 70-200mm f/2.8
No, there’s really no such thing as a universal sports lens, but high-performance 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses are very popular because they have the speed, reach and flexibility that many top pro sports shooters demand.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Lens
- High-performance NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S telephoto zoom lens for Nikon’s advanced Z series
- Superior low light performance with bright f/2.8 aperture and high-resolution NIKKOR optics
- Class-leading close focus ability and comprehensive optical VR image stabilization
- Ultra-quiet stepping motor (STM) for smooth, fast, and silent autofocusing
- Advanced lens coatings for optimal anti-reflective performance and minimal chromatic aberrations
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z Mount
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens
- Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture for superior low-light performance and smooth bokeh
- Advanced 3.5-stop Image Stabilizer for sharp, shake-free images in dynamic shooting scenarios
- High-quality Fluorite and UD optics ensure exceptional contrast and resolution
- Durable design with dust and moisture-resistant seals, ideal for challenging environments
- Ring-type USM motor for rapid, silent autofocus with full-time manual override
- Fluorine coating on lens elements for easy maintenance and smudge resistance
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sports Lens for Sony E
- Features high-speed autofocus and effective optical stabilizer for sharp, clear images
- Durable construction with dust and splash-proof design, ideal for outdoor and action photography
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Lens Format: Full Frame
- Zoom Focal Length: 70-200mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens for Nikon F
- Fast F/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range
- VC anti-shake mechanism with 4-stop advantage
- Full time manual focus (FTM)
- Moisture-resistant construction
- A rounded diaphragm
- Lens Mount: Nikon F
Fast Telephoto Prime Lenses: Pros’ Top Choices
When you need the extra reach and super fast auto-focus, a fast telephoto prime is the ideal choice.
Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
- Exceptional large-aperture telephoto lens with ultra-fast, precise autofocus
- Optical SteadyShot stabilization for sharp handheld telephoto images
- Nano AR Coating II to minimize flare and ghosting in challenging lighting
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Lens Format: Full Frame
- Fixed Focal Length: 300mm
Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens
- Silky Swift VCM technology for high-speed, accurate, and near-silent autofocus performance
- Advanced optical VR stabilization up to 5.5 stops for sharp images in challenging conditions
- Meso Amorphous and ARNEO Coats for exceptional anti-glare performance, even in direct sunlight
- S-Line designation ensures premium optics and robust weather-sealing for professional use
- Compatible with Nikon Z full-frame mirrorless cameras for seamless integration into your kit
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z Mount
Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens L Mount
- Lens construction: 20 elements in 14 groups (3 FLD, 2 SLD elements)
- OS (Optical Stabilizer) function with the latest “OS2” algorithm
- Inner focus system
- Compatible with high-speed autofocus
- HLA (High-response Linear Actuator)
- Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM Lens
- Revised Optics for a Lighter Super Telephoto EF L Lens
- Increased Heat Shielding Measures for Reliable, Longer Shooting Outdoors
- Dust- and Water-resistant with Fluorine Coatings for Use Even in Harsh Conditions
- Customizable Electronic Focusing Ring
- Optical Image Stabilization at up to 5 Stops of Shake Correction
- Minimum Focusing Distance of Approx. 13.8 ft./4.2m
The Big Bazookas: Long telephoto zooms
With the reach of a long telephoto and the versatility of a zoom, these lenses are perfect for catching all the action, up and down the field.
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens
- Equipped with one Super UD and six UD lenses, ensuring high-quality image results
- Fluorine coatings on the front & rearmost surfaces for resistance against dirt, moisture, & oils
- Compatible with Extenders RF1.4x and RF2x, allowing for expanded focal lengths
- Lens Mount: Canon RF Mount
- Lens Format: Full Frame
- Zoom Focal Length: 100-500mm
Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens for Sony E
- Ultra-telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount, ideal for wildlife & sports photography
- Advanced optical design with 25 elements for superior image clarity & sharpness
- Fast, silent autofocus with high-precision magnetic sensor for accurate tracking
- Optical Stabilizer (OS) function offering up to 4 stops of image stabilization
- Dust and splash-resistant with water/oil repellent coating for harsh environments
- Dual Action Zoom with customizable Zoom Torque switch for quick angle adjustment
Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Lens
- Super-telephoto reach with 180-600mm zoom range for wildlife and sports photography
- Weather-sealed, non-extending design for consistent handling and protection against the elements
- Compatible with Z series teleconverters for up to 1200mm reach, expanding creative possibilities
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z Mount
- Lens Format: Full Frame
- Zoom Focal Length: 180-600mm
Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens
- High-performance telephoto lens with a 152-609mm equivalent in 35mm format
- Weather-sealed design with 13 water and dust resistant seals for reliable outdoor photography
- 5.0-stop image stabilization system and twin linear motors for fast, quiet autofocus
- Compact and lightweight, weighing less than 3.1 lbs (1.4kg) for easy handheld shooting
- Compatible with the XF1.4x TC WR teleconverter for extended telephoto reach
- Lens Mount: Fujifilm X Mount
Other Sports Lens Choices:
High-speed normal zooms and moderate telephoto lenses are popular options among top pros that specialize in shooting sports indoors and at closer distances. Check out these outstanding high-performance alternatives on the Adorama website:
FAQ
What focal length lenses do I need for sports photography?
The focal lengths needed for sports photography will vary depending on the sport you cover. For instance, Football might be shot with a 500mm or longer prime and a 100-400mm Zoom. This will give you coverage far downfield and close to your shooting position.
What should I look for in sports photography lenses?
Fast and sharp auto-focus is critical when shooting fast-moving subjects such as sports photography. Catching the action as it unfolds is the primary goal of sports photographers; those instances that flash on the TV screen are captured in striking detail by the professional sports photographer. We want these to be crisp! A fast lens (aperture) is helpful not only to isolate your subject but also for quicker and more accurate auto-focus.
Is there one “perfect” lens for sports photography?
As much as we would love the answer to be yes, you probably guessed, it is no. Why? Each sport is unique in where the photographer may stand, what types of shots are iconic, etc. A single lens simply cannot fulfill every need you may have as a sports photographer. I recommend focusing on the sports you often cover and picking the best lenses for that sport. For any other sports you may be asked to cover, think about renting the perfect lens (for that sport).
Should I use Zoom or Prime sports photography lenses?
While a zoom lens of up to about 400mm offers more versatility. Most zoom lenses are longer than that and are too slow for sports photography. A blend of zooms and one or two very long and fast telephoto primes is the combination many professional sports photographers choose.
