Sporting event, Lens suggestion question

[MrCoffee]

Hi Everyone,

Ok, I am going to be shooting for a second time at a MMA sporting event. I have two problems. First, the lighting at the events is awful, bordering on horrible, and second I am shooting thru a "cage". Of course, because the event is being covered by other photographers as well as filmed for TV, no flash is allowed.

The first shoot I ended up using my 50mm F/1.8 for everything (On both my Canon and Nikon bodies), while I have other lens, and a fast Sigma 28-70 F/2.8, all of them have glass so big that you can not get a shot thru the fencing with them. With the 50mm's I was able to shoot thru the squares fairly easily.

So I am wondering if I should just buy a 50mm F/1.4 or something else. Tough to find fast glass that is a 58mm or small filter size.

I am hoping shooting these events is going to become a regular thing, so I am willing to make the investment into more gear (something I am resisting most of the time).

Thanks in advance for comments or suggestions.
MrC

[OsmosisStudios]

What body are you using? none of the bodies you have listed in your signature is particularly good at high ISOs, which would be a huge benefit. You may be best looking at one of the full-frame Nikons.

[gturner]

The very nature of the aperture ratio means you will not get a lens barrel narrower that what you already have.
I agree with Osmosis, rent a 5Dmkii and shoot up to ISO 3200 without any problem.

[MrCoffee]

Thanks for the replies.

No, I do not have a full frame setup, and it would be a life threatening and marriage altering event if I was to attempt to purchase one at this time.

I might be able to rent one, but renting equipment that I have never used before is going to lead to it's own set of issues. I do have access to shoot with a D90, which I might do.

I hadn't thought of pushing my ISO above 800, maybe I will give that a shot.

Honestly, the more I read and the more I look at the problem and the resulting shots, the more I am feeling like it was a "operator error" then anything to do with the camera set up.
I realize that I am using older and less then top of the line gear, BUT, I have seen folks using the exact same gear get truly excellent and exceptional shots.

I guess I need to play with what I have, and see what I can and cant do, and then figure out if/what a new lens or body will do for me. I appreciate your replies.

MrC

[gturner]

the noise at 800 on those bodies will be the same as the 5D at 3200. It is that good.