Buying advice
Indoor sports: fast autofocus even in dim light
Indoor sports demand fast autofocus and fast apertures. Here's what in my stock can handle it.
Indoor sports are a nightmare for many photographers. Fast-moving athletes in a venue where light is scarce demand reliability from your gear and a well-thought-out strategy from you.
You need a body with fast, reliable tracking and the fastest lens you can get. A fast telephoto zoom would be ideal, but I don't have one in stock right now. Still, a fast body and fast primes will get you a long way, as long as you know what to watch out for.
What to look for in a body
When choosing a body for indoor sports, focus on its ability to keep a fast-moving subject in focus. Older models tend to have slower tracking and weaker low-light performance.
- Models like the Canon EOS R6, R6 Mark II, Sony A7 IV or Nikon Z6 II hold up well.
- With an APS-C body like the Canon EOS R7, keep the crop factor in mind – the same lens will “zoom in” more, which can be a drawback in a cramped gym. The upside is the lower price.
What to look for in a lens
The key focal lengths are 35, 50 and 85 mm. Indoors, 50 or 85 mm is often enough and keeps you from taking in an unnecessarily wide view of the background.
An aperture of f/1.4 or f/1.2 is a must – otherwise you'll be stuck with high ISO. Sony GM f/1.4 lenses are top of the line, and you'll appreciate them indoors right away.
Checking used condition
When buying used, pay attention to the condition of the body. On models like the Canon R6 or Sony A7 IV, the shutter count may be higher, but what really matters is that the autofocus works. Test whether the body focuses reliably even in low light.
On lenses, check the aperture and the focusing mechanism. The Sony 35 mm f/1.4 GM or Sony 50 mm f/1.4 GM are great choices, but make sure they're clean and fully functional. The Canon R6 Mark II is more expensive, but it offers top-tier autofocus, which is what makes the difference indoors.
Indoors, there's zero room for error. So choose based on reliability and aperture, not just price.
Tell me which sport you shoot and in what kind of venue – I'll also recommend a suitable telephoto zoom to add to your kit.
