The Best Lenses for Sports Photography with Peter Read Miller

Join Peter Read Miller as he discusses some of his favorite lenses for sports photography. He offers some of his tips and tricks for shooting soccer. While there is so much to learn (the workshop is the best place to learn), here Peter discusses camera lens choices, camera settings, field position and more.

Peter Read Miller, Sports Illustrated iconic photographer for an incredible workshop discussion of sports photography. You'll shoot soccer, international swimming and much more, all with top of the line cameras and lenses by Canon USA. The workshop is sponsored by Canon, Western Digital, ThinkTank, Dynalite and Hoodman.

Some images are taken from students at Peter's workshop. Credit to follow!

Join a PRM Sports Photography Workshop at:

I remember this guys Sports Illustrated NFL photos from the 1970s and 80s. My elementary school would get Sports Illustrated magazine on the same day each week. I was usually the first kid to get his hands on it.

[thepanel]

My camera bodies are the Canon 1D Mk IV, which has the 1.3x crop factor. My 300/2.8 therefore becomes a 390/2.8 effectively. My 400/2.8 L IS II is an effective 520/2.8 and is my least used lens, along with my 14mm f2.8 II wideangle. If you're on a budget and want fast pro glass, opt for 2nd-hand gear that is _not_ the most current model in the range. You can get an old Canon 400/2.8 L-Series lens (the one without IS) for $1000.

[tomdoolin]

Thanks Peter for sharing your Photography Knowledge

[JMHSPhoto]

Looking forward to your take on Photo Mechanic / Cropping / final image workflow Peter. Thank you for doing these

[DaJonez]

Appreciate the video, great info. For someone that's a relative beginner looking to do some good work on a budget, what would you think about an older gen. 300mm 2.8 instead of the 400? I shoot the crop sensor Nikon D500. The 400 is a beast of a lens, and expensive. Would I be missing much going with the 300 instead with an extender in hand? Thanks again!

[Bromeh]

6D Mark II + 70-200mm f4 IS? I can spend the money on the 2.8 but am soooo drawn to the smaller size of the f4. It is that limiting for indoor high school basketball??

[sweettradestar]

you didnt mention that the canon 200-400mm f4 was $11, 000

[ichiban]

I’m glad I found this channel...I’m learning a lot

[Zurichphoto]

This is a great channel -- and Peter's work is clearly the best of the best ... I''m always interested in what the pros shoot but also cognizant of the fact that anyone who shoots for SI or the like is generally shooting in pro venue/pro lighting situations. And for those conditions, BINGO. That a great setup. I can't imagine buying an f4 with and extender than makes it an f5.6 for shooting at ill-it high schools over a 400 f2/8 which is in the same price range. Pretty sure I'd be packing it in on most night HS and D2/D3 college games after the first quarter during September and staying home thereafter. Curious what others think. Am I missing something?

[AviRochester]

Why shoot with expander lens?
It's better to take a picture with the lens and crop the picture and keep the sharpness, right? Anyway, your recommendations are excellent and helpful.

[unknownKnownunknowns]

Thanks Peter. For field sports would you choose the 100 400 mark II used at $1500 or the 400 / 5.6 for $600 - those are my choices and I’m trying to decide thanks.

[rokpodlogar]

Hi, just a quick question. I noticed your hands are a bit shaky and I was wondering, since I have the same problem and I think this effects my photos on the telephoto range no matter the shutter speed.

[johnsudbrink]

Peter, Great video and information as always, looking forward to you next video and some day getting back to one of your workshops. Since attending your 2012 Workshop in Denver its been an amazing ride for me, work and my images. Looking forward to getting back for a recharge. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and professionalism.

[washable]

Good morning. I shoot High School Football in New Jersey. I use the Canon 7D Mark II with a Canon 70-200mm F2.8 lens. The lighting is awful. Is there anyway that I can get more lighting out of my setup with this camera and lens?

[jeromemundy]

Hello Mr. Miller. I use the Canon 90d, with the Canon 100-400 5.6 ii Lens. I have not done much of sports shooting, but love air shows etc. I notice in this video and several others i have viewed, that you mention the 1.4 extender. When I bought my 1.4 extender, I was advised to shoot in manual mode with the extender. Most videos mention the 1.4 or maybe even the 2x extender, but no information how best to use them. I shoot in AV mode. I am confused on how to properly use the extender, in A/F on lens, and i am not that fast on getting the focus for the shot. Is It best to not use the extender or what information can you share on using the 1.4 extender.

[helen]

Hi Peter, Thanks for the informative video. For a football match, if you only have 5D IV x2, 70-200mm 2.8 and 24-70mm 2.8, would you just add extender to the 70-200mm ( I have seen very mixed reviews on this) or would you still recommend 100-400mm 3.5 -5.6?

[cyrillenzigo]

Thanks very much for your infos about the soccer lens, i'm willing to learn from you master.

[emmc]

Hi Peter. I’ve dabbled in photography for many years but wanted to start shooting at equestrian events. I’m wondering what sort of setup you’d recommend for horses and horse riding? Also, do you do online workshops and where can I register please? Thank you.

[brendaweaver]

This was just perfect, for questions I had! Great job Peter!!!!

[hgalarraburu]

hi!! i have to shoot at a moto race, wich lens u recommend me? the canon 400mm 5.6 L or the canon 100 - 400 mm (but mk 1) or the 70 200 2.8 IS L with a entender 2x?
thx!!