Help me choose a telephoto lens!----UPDATE!!

pittsburghmom

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Current set-up: Canon 60D, Canon f1.8 50mm & Sigma f2.8 17-50. Looking to add a zoom lens that works well for kids sports, etc Open to 3rd party lens as well. Hoping to stay well under $300. Suggestions?
 
So many things come into play here. You've likely set the bar too high (expectations) at < $300.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/c...f-s-55-250mm-f-4-56-is-ii-refurbished-25643-1

That's about all there is (from Canon) in the price range you pinned us to. It'll work OK outdoors with fairly benign action.

Nice zooms quickly surpass the price of the camera bodies they rest on. As with most glass, you get what you pay for.
 
The Tamron 70-300 usd is very very good. You can find used copies under $300, even around $200.
 
Do your kids play these sports indoors?

The lens WilsonFlyer suggested is good, but I'd go for the STM version of it. http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/c...-s-55-250mm-f4-5-6-is-stm-telephoto-zoom-lens.

(STM is the focus technology, it's the newest iteration of the lens).

It's still in your budget, and better optically, and much better at focusing (which is good for sports).

Here's the rub, if you are trying to photograph indoor sports, (hockey, indoor soccer, basketball etc.) than it may not be bright enough, at 100mm or above your max aperture is f/5, and from 155mm - 255mm it's max aperture is f/5.6.

This means you'd have to push up your ISO levels to keep your shutter speed fast enough to freeze action.
 

best thing is at this budget is to get a solid prime, not sure on US prices, i would look at a canon 100mm my thinking is this will give you a USM motor, Canon reliable AF, and a nice fast F2 aperture and if you get a good shutter you can always crop in closer? otherwise i would try spend a little more on the canon 70-200mm F4 the constant aperture outside is alot more predictable and the quality of this lens stopped down to F4 is pin sharp. I have no issue with third party lenses just more recently prefer the reliability and AF accuracy of a canon lens, just a personal thing, saying that the sigma 30mm is still one of my favourite lenses :) hope that helps
 
best thing is at this budget is to get a solid prime, not sure on US prices, i would look at a canon 100mm my thinking is this will give you a USM motor, Canon reliable AF, and a nice fast F2 aperture and if you get a good shutter you can always crop in closer? otherwise i would try spend a little more on the canon 70-200mm F4 the constant aperture outside is alot more predictable and the quality of this lens stopped down to F4 is pin sharp. I have no issue with third party lenses just more recently prefer the reliability and AF accuracy of a canon lens, just a personal thing, saying that the sigma 30mm is still one of my favourite lenses :) hope that helps

the problem with that is the EF 100mm f/2 is $500, and the 70-200mm f/4 is $700, the 70-200 f/4 is a great deal at $700, but unless you find a really great deal on a used one, it's way out of budget.
 
OP, you have some options that will work reasonably well for outdoor sports when you have ample light. If you are talking about indoor sports, without at least a 2.8 lens of some sort, you'd probably be better off putting the camera away and just watching. Or maybe you could position yourself up close with the 50mm and crop heavily?

Maybe you could watch Ebay for a deal on a used prime?
 
Thanks for all the input! So far, he does swimming (indoor pools) and baseball. I have no idea what future sports we may encounter. LOL One of the main reasons I have a low budget, is I do not want to spend the entire event with my camera out. But I do want to get as much bang for my buck a possible. Mom2rtk, I'll have to try the 50mm at the next swim meet. Last meet, I just took my Canon s100 point & shoot and did some video.
 
Thanks for all the input! So far, he does swimming (indoor pools) and baseball. I have no idea what future sports we may encounter. LOL One of the main reasons I have a low budget, is I do not want to spend the entire event with my camera out. But I do want to get as much bang for my buck a possible. Mom2rtk, I'll have to try the 50mm at the next swim meet. Last meet, I just took my Canon s100 point & shoot and did some video.

I bet you'll do fine with the 50mm if you can get down close enough.

I struggled with shooting volleyball this fall and I had a couple 2.8 lenses to work with. I tried my 50mm lens but it was soft wide open, so didn't gain me that much. Indoor sports can really be a challenge.
 
Thanks for all the input! So far, he does swimming (indoor pools) and baseball. I have no idea what future sports we may encounter. LOL One of the main reasons I have a low budget, is I do not want to spend the entire event with my camera out. But I do want to get as much bang for my buck a possible. Mom2rtk, I'll have to try the 50mm at the next swim meet. Last meet, I just took my Canon s100 point & shoot and did some video.

your budget is fine for daytime sports, like others have indicated indoor sports is where it gets expensive. If you can get close enough the 50mm 1.8 could work for swim meets.

I would pick the newer 55-250 STM over the Tamron 70-300 and if you're willing to buy used the Canon 70-200 f/4 non-is is even better at around $450, it has a constant f4 (more background blur) and faster AF

but even the original 55-250 IS kit lens can get you decent daytime sports pics and it sells for only around $100 or less

Rebel XSi /450D
55-250IS


5094738512_36a2d67e79_b.jpg



Untitled by c w, on Flickr
 
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your budget is fine for daytime sports, like others have indicated indoor sports is where it gets expensive. If you can get close enough the 50mm 1.8 could work for swim meets.

I would pick the newer 55-250 STM over the Tamron 70-300 and if you're willing to buy used the Canon 70-200 f/4 non-is is even better at around $450, it has a constant f4 (more background blur) and faster AF

but even the original 55-250 IS kit lens can get you decent daytime sports pics and it sells for only around $100 or less

Rebel XSi /450D
55-250IS


5094738512_36a2d67e79_b.jpg

Thanks for the input! Great shot, btw!
 
When purchasing a lens for sports its going to be about the lighting and managing your expectations. Indoor arenas and night baseball games are notorious for bad lighting. While the light may look good to the eye, its not necessarily good for the camera. If you are going to be shooting outside during daylight hours any consumer lens will work just fine. A variable aperture consumer (kit) lens can be found in your price range. However, when you get indoors lighting and low light situations with motion the consumer lenses start to fail. Not saying that you can't get a good image, but it will be a lot easier with what we refer as faster glass (fixed aperture sport lenses usually with a constant f2.8). This is where the managing expectations comes in. Understand with a consumer lens that you will probably have to raise the ISO levels (causing noise) to maintain the faster shutter speeds to avoid motion blur. If you are looking for low light sports images like you see in magazines then you will have to spend the extra $ to get the better glass. I know you are not trying to be a professional, just manage your expectations with whatever you purchase and you will be fine. Just know the limitations of your equipment. Good luck and have fun.
 
Current set-up: Canon 60D, Canon f1.8 50mm & Sigma f2.8 17-50. Looking to add a zoom lens that works well for kids sports, etc Open to 3rd party lens as well. Hoping to stay well under $300. Suggestions?

If you go used you can pick up a Canon 70-210 f/4 (an older non-L lens) for under $200. This was my go to tele zoom for years.
 
Congrats! I saw that earlier today, great price. I have the 18-135 STM and it never disappoints!
 












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