Narrowed it down to 3 lenses. . .

[*pixie*]

After months of going back and forth on lenses after buying my Canon Rebel XS, I've narrowed it down to 3 different lenses. My main goal with the new lens is get better pics in low lighting, specifically high school gyms. My kit lens gets decent pics in this light as long as they are still shots, but trying to take basketball pics is very frustrating. I also really don't need a lot of zoom. I realize that no lens will give me perfects pics, but I'm hoping one will make it a little easier. Here are the three I've narrowed it down to:

Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens

Anyone have any pros/cons of these lenses?

 

[Code]

School gyms are brutal.. your kit lens is f/3.5-5.6 so the two zooms you have listed are no improvement or worse at light gathering ability. There aren't any zooms that are fast enough and still in that price range, and even an expensive f/2.8 zoom might not be enough for a poorly lit gym. Your best bet is the 50mm f/1.8 (or even better, f/1.4), and get close to the action. Another option with a bit more reach at about the same price as the 18-135mm is the 85mm f/1.8.

 

[NLD]

What Code said. These two...

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens

...will not help.

Whatever you get, you want f/1.8 or lower.

 

[*pixie*]

I was afraid that what I really needed was a smaller f/stop. So, between the 50 mm f/1.8 and the 85 mm f/1.4, I assume the 85 mm would be better? But, is it better enough to justify the $300 price difference?

 

[mom2rtk]

Every stop you can get better on your lens is a little faster you'll be able to get your shutter speed. Low light and fast action is a tough combo with affordable lenses. Especially since your XS can only go up to 1600 ISO.

What sport are you photographing?

 

[Frantasmic]

between the 50 mm f/1.8 and the 85 mm f/1.8, I assume the 85 mm would be better? But, is it better enough to justify the $300 price difference?

In a word, YES.

Many people and sites rate the 85mm f1.8 as one of Canon's best non-L lens. It does very well in gyms and also takes great portraits. I am sorry I can't give specific site references, but someone explained why it is so good for portraits.

 

[*pixie*]

I will be shooting basketball, volleyball, and wrestling indoors and football, track, and baseball outdoors.

How will either of these lenses do at WDW? Specifically, indoor rides and shows? I also had some trouble on the safari at AK with my pics being really dark.

 

[VVFF]

I will be shooting basketball, volleyball, and wrestling indoors and football, track, and baseball outdoors.

How will either of these lenses do at WDW? Specifically, indoor rides and shows? I also had some trouble on the safari at AK with my pics being really dark.

85mm will likely be too long for many indoor rides. It may work on the safari but it will be hit and miss.

Your pictures really shouldn't have been dark on the safari unless you were doing something wrong. Mind posting a picture or two?

 

[bob100]

After months of going back and forth on lenses after buying my Canon Rebel XS, I've narrowed it down to 3 different lenses. My main goal with the new lens is get better pics in low lighting, specifically high school gyms. My kit lens gets decent pics in this light as long as they are still shots, but trying to take basketball pics is very frustrating. I also really don't need a lot of zoom. I realize that no lens will give me perfects pics, but I'm hoping one will make it a little easier. Here are the three I've narrowed it down to:
Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens
Anyone have any pros/cons of these lenses?

like others have said, the last two of those will not work for HS gym sports. The cheap 50mm 1.8 will work better than your 18-55IS but the 85 1.8 is much better at focusing in low light.

I will be shooting basketball, volleyball, and wrestling indoors and football, track, and baseball outdoors.

How will either of these lenses do at WDW? Specifically, indoor rides and shows? I also had some trouble on the safari at AK with my pics being really dark.

yes, post some pics, you may lack some basics on aperture/ISO/shutter speed.

 

[bdtracey]

For the money the 50mm f/1.8 is a "good" lens. Be sure to play with it in the store before you buy it. My copy front focuses a bit which can be annoying. It's not high quality glass but I find if it's stopped down 2 stops it is a little more consistent. Also, at f/1.8 there is a very shallow depth of field which I initially mistakenly took as front focusing.

I have the 50mm in my bag at the moment and even though I'm using my new Sigma fisheye a lot (too much in fact ) I love knowing that I have my 50mm to get some great shots of the little ones.

In fact, all of my best portraits of the kids are from my 50mm. My best parade shots (both day and night) are from my 50mm. In many cases it is even a bit on the long side.

 

[zackiedawg]

85mm will likely be too long for many indoor rides. It may work on the safari but it will be hit and miss.

Your pictures really shouldn't have been dark on the safari unless you were doing something wrong. Mind posting a picture or two?

Actually, it depends on WHERE for the safari. Coming through the initial forest where the bongo, okapi, etc are, I routinely require ISO800 or more - it is extremely shadowed there, very dark, and the animals tend to hover near the backs of the enclosures. Also, the cheetahs are usually hiding back in the shade.

Out on the savannah portions, low light/dark photos shouldn't be an issue at all.

I agree that 85mm is likely too long for many indoor rides. Most folks start with a 50mm fast prime for rides, and often end up hunting down a 30mm or other wider lens as even the 50mm can be a bit limiting sometimes.

 

[Code]

I think that for gym sports, you'd be best with the 85mm f/1.8 for the extra reach over the 50mm, though as others have said, it's not the best for Disney dark rides. For the outdoor sports you mention, the 85mm would be of some use from the sidelines, but you'll probably want a telephoto zoom (assuming you're talking daylight sports.. nighttime outdoor school sports are even more brutal than a gym)

 

[jimim]

After months of going back and forth on lenses after buying my Canon Rebel XS, I've narrowed it down to 3 different lenses. My main goal with the new lens is get better pics in low lighting, specifically high school gyms. My kit lens gets decent pics in this light as long as they are still shots, but trying to take basketball pics is very frustrating. I also really don't need a lot of zoom. I realize that no lens will give me perfects pics, but I'm hoping one will make it a little easier. Here are the three I've narrowed it down to:

Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens

Anyone have any pros/cons of these lenses?

I am getting the 50mm 1.4 instead of the 1.8. I know the 1.8 is a crazy good deal but the 1.4 is deff better I fell from when I used it. I think the extra money is well worth it.

We have the 18-135 on my wife's t2i and I am really impressed with this cheaper lens. It is very sharp in good light and does well in darker areas. I will say the focus lock can be pretty slow. . . this is tested on both my 7d and her camera. on my 7d it was slightly faster due to the better focusing on this camera but still slow.

Don't know anything about the other lens. Sorry.

Did you look into the 28mm 1.8? This is my next purchase for July's trip. This little thing is soooo sharp!

Our next trip I'm trying something new. I'm going with 2 fixed lens only and calling it a day. the 28 and my 50mm. I just don't see the point in anything further out cause if U don't tripod it I don't have any luck. I guess I shake too much!

jimi

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

There is another way to make indoor gym shots and that is with a shoe mounted flash. Granted the below shot was made with a 70-200 f2.8, but I shot it at f4, 400 ISO. I could have shot it with smaller aperture and raised the ISO or a number of other options. I did some minor PP and that is it. I think it is a satisfactory shot.


BB1 2_19_11 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr

Flash photography is not our enemy!

 

[jimim]

After months of going back and forth on lenses after buying my Canon Rebel XS, I've narrowed it down to 3 different lenses. My main goal with the new lens is get better pics in low lighting, specifically high school gyms. My kit lens gets decent pics in this light as long as they are still shots, but trying to take basketball pics is very frustrating. I also really don't need a lot of zoom. I realize that no lens will give me perfects pics, but I'm hoping one will make it a little easier. Here are the three I've narrowed it down to:

Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens

Anyone have any pros/cons of these lenses?

I am getting the 50mm 1.4 instead of the 1.8. I know the 1.8 is a crazy good deal but the 1.4 is deff better I fell from when I used it. I think the extra money is well worth it.

We have the 18-135 on my wife's t2i and I am really impressed with this cheaper lens. It is very sharp in good light and does well in darker areas. I will say the focus lock can be pretty slow. . . this is tested on both my 7d and her camera. on my 7d it was slightly faster due to the better focusing on this camera but still slow.

Don't know anything about the other lens. Sorry.

Did you look into the 28mm 1.8? This is my next purchase for July's trip. This little thing is soooo sharp!

Our next trip I'm trying something new. I'm going with 2 fixed lens only and calling it a day. the 28 and my 50mm. I just don't see the point in anything further out cause if U don't tripod it I don't have any luck. I guess I shake too much!

jimi

 

[*pixie*]

I will post some pics tomorrow, as I am going to my son's wrestling practice at the gym and I will take a few pics.

So, if the 85 mm would be best for the indoor gym pics, which lens (similar price range) would be best for Disney?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

For the dark indoor rides, something 30-35mm f1.8 or better. The Sigma 30mm f1.4 has been a very strong performer for this role.

 

[*pixie*]

I went ahead and ordered the 85 mm, and tried it out for the first time today. I love it! My DS has been wrestling for 7 years and I finally have pics of him in action. It is hard to get used to not being able to zoom out. I am normally on the side of the mat, but in a couple of years I will be banned to the stands which this lens will be perfect for. I am very anxious to try it out for basketball this week.

This is my first time posting a pic, so hopefully I did it right. This is an unedited (other than for size) pic, and I'm so happy with the lighting.

[/IMG]

Thanks so much everyone for your help!

Now I'm *really* wanting to upgrade another lens before our next trip. Something that's not so close as the 85 mm.

 

[Code]

Awesome! Congrats on the new glass, glad to help

Now I'm *really* wanting to upgrade another lens before our next trip. Something that's not so close as the 85 mm.

Welcome to the addiction

 

[bob100]

I went ahead and ordered the 85 mm, and tried it out for the first time today. I love it! My DS has been wrestling for 7 years and I finally have pics of him in action. It is hard to get used to not being able to zoom out. I am normally on the side of the mat, but in a couple of years I will be banned to the stands which this lens will be perfect for. I am very anxious to try it out for basketball this week.

This is my first time posting a pic, so hopefully I did it right. This is an unedited (other than for size) pic, and I'm so happy with the lighting.

Thanks so much everyone for your help!

Now I'm *really* wanting to upgrade another lens before our next trip. Something that's not so close as the 85 mm.

nice pic, next time play around with the settings. It's sharper stopped down a little (aperture smaller than f1.8)