Canon Rebel XS lense for sports

<p>Hey guys,<br />I'm a little new at this photography thing but I am now looking for a new lense. I have a Canon Rebel XS with the standard lense that comes in the kit. I have been looking for a lense that can take very good sports photos, or a lense that can just take good pictures of fast movement and in possibly low lighting. I've been looking at telephoto lenses because that's what I heard are the best for fast movement. For example, I was looking at the Canon EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS USM and Canon EF 70-200mm but still need to look at different things just in case. Because I don't want to immediately decide on it. Some sports I plan on taking pictures of are lacrosse, soccer, football, swim&dive. Things like that.<br /><br />I don't have a very high expense budget but I'm willing to go up to $1000 but no higher. And I was also wonering if the mount makes a large difference in what I can pick for a lense. Like if it's an EF lense, will it still fit on my EF-S camera body?<br /><br />Any suggestions?<br />It would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>for $1000 the 70-200mm f/2.8 is your best option. Other than this, I would look at the 85mm f/1.8 or the 50mm f/1.4. The 70-300mm is too slow; the f/4-5.6 max aperture won't allow for fast enough shutter speeds in low light, also the auto focus speed is very slow which will cause you to miss a lot of action photos.</p>

<p>sorry, a used 70-200mm f/2.8 would fit the budget. You can get great used equipment that looks brand new for better prices. Look at a local used camera dealer, craigslist, ebay, and the classifieds here on photo.net.</p>

<p>Canon lenses sold today will fit your Rebel. No problem. The Canon 'L' lenses are the Pro models, more expensive and somewhat like buying a Mercedes versus a Toyota ( Canon EF lenses). Both very good but...the "L" series gives better results, they're built sturdier, generally have constant aperture - aperture does not change as you zoom. TheCanon 70-200 f2.8 'L' lens is around 1700buck$, but worth every penny/dollar! <br>

Since the 'L' lenses are out of your budget, get the Sigma 70-200 f2.8. It's around $700. Version II is now available at that price. Then if you want to spend a few more buck$, consider a 50 f1.8 or f1.4, an 85 d1.8. These are not zoom but high quality fixed focal length and constant aperture lenses. The f1.8 will be helpful for shooting inside apool area.<br>

As you will see mentioned here, and on other sports forums, shooting inside is difficult with kit lenses. The light is lousy! You really need constant aperture, f2,8 or better, lenses. Even with an f2.8 lense you still will need a relatively high ISO.<br>

In the Spring, when outdoor sports start, you might consider getting a tele extender to go with the 70-200. probably should get a monopod as well esp. when using the extender. If not, just know what your distance limits are to get tight cropping in camera on the fields.<br>

You're not going to be able to get it all. Just do your best within your limits. Work hard on getting good capture. Look at magazines of the sports you are interested in. Look at other sports shooters onn-line - like flickr, & photo.net, etc. Read the forums related to sports.<br>

And, shoot, shoot shoot...!</p>

 

<p>Thank you so much for all the information given! I haven't looked into other brands like sigma because I wasn't sure if they were compatible until now. I think I'm going to rule out the 70-300mm now. I'll probably look into the extra stuff later on once I know what I'm really going to work off of. But I'm a bit shakey on the thought of buying a used lense.</p>

<p>Don't worry so much about buying a used lens. The Canon L lenses are extremely tough and will last for 50 years, probably. If you get one that looks in good condition, it likely will be just as good as new. You can save a lot of money off the new price by getting an older edition of the 70-200 f/2.8 that is no longer in production. Your only option to buy new will be to purchase a newer version with IS, and they run alot more expensive. Now that there is an IS and IS II version, the original will be much more accessible used. The Canon lens used is probably still a much better bet than the Sigma (or any other brand) new. That Canon lens is one of the best and more versatile lenses ever made.</p>

<p>about the 70-200mm f/2.8 being $1700; thats for the IS version. The 2.8 non IS can be bought used for less than $1000.</p>

<p>It seems I have another question, but this one is about the new version of the Sigma 70-200 f2.8:<br>

How do I know if my camera body supports the HSM motor? I have a Rebel XS and I've been trying to figure out if this will effect the compatibility.</p>

<p>Check/confirm with local photo store if you have one. Or call Adorama, or B&H Photo. Both great and reliable photo organizations/stores. Both have huge stores in NY City and on the web. They also sell used equipment - safer than buying from a no-name on ebay. KEH is another online 'store' for used camera gear. I've bought from all of them before as I am sure many folks on photo.net have.<br>

The all have ads in photo mags, also. What one(s) do you read?</p>

<p>I haven't really read any photo mags --I probably should do that-- but I do go to a local PennCamera Store and that's where I bought my Rebel XS.</p>

<p>the sigma will work fine, as long as you get one that says 'Canon' mount, they also make them for Nikon, etc... camera bodies.</p>

<p>the one lens that will cover ALL of them is the 70-200 f/2.8 but thats over a 1000 and for indoor swim meets, can get a little slow</p>

<p>The 85mm f/1.8 is an amazing indoor lens too, but since you seem to shoot a lot of outdoor... hmmm</p>

<p>my 70-200 images:</p>

<p>http://www.flickr.com/photos/seanleephoto/</p>

<p>most of them are either 70-200 or 85mm check the exif</p>

<p>Hi Aprl. I bought a Canon XSI last summer and I am still learning how to use it. I can tell you from experience that the F4.5 75-300 will do pretty well for outdoor action shots, I have one and have gotten some nice results. But for indoor track meets, bowling, forget it. I am looking to get some $$ together for something like lenses mentioned above with either F2.5 or 1.8. But they sure get expensive.</p>