Need lens help

StreetShark · Feb 13, 2008

Well as of now the longest lens I have is a 28-90mm f/4-5.6 and I plan on shooting some school sports so I need to get a new longer and better lens. My price limit is about $1,000 and since ill be shooting sports I need about a f/2.8 or something with IS. Right now I have the canon 70-200mm f/4.0L, 70-200mm f/2.8L, or the 200mm f/2.8L in mind. The only thing is the 70-200mm f/2.8 is a little out of my price range, the 70-200mm f/4.0 is kind of slow and I wont be able to move around a lot so I don't want the 200mm f/2.8. Is there and tamron or sigma alternatives I can buy? Or maybe a cheaper canon lens that can do what I want?

jwkwd · Feb 14, 2008

Have you considered a 300mm prime, or something along those lines?

jstuedle · Feb 14, 2008

I know used 80-200 2.8 in Nikon can be had for $6-800 or so. Are used Canon lenses that much more expensive?

Big Mike · Feb 14, 2008

Image stabilizer is great, and it will help...but it steadies the lens, not the subject...so even though you can get sharper shots at slower shutter speeds...those slow speeds will cause the subjects to be blurry, if they are moving.

I would look at the 70-200 F2.8 (the IS version is out of your price range, unfortunately). As mentioned, maybe you can find this lens used.

Also, Sigma has a 70-200 F2.8 that should fit your budget.

StreetShark · Feb 14, 2008

I may just try and get my parents to co-sign on a loan so I can get the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS.

nicfargo · Feb 14, 2008

IS will do nothing for sports, just FYI.

DSLR noob · Feb 14, 2008

Sigma 70-200 2.8 (no IS or anyhting but costs somewhere between the 70-200 4.0 L and the 70-200 2.8 L) I don't feel like specifically researching, but my guess is somewhere in the $800 or $900 ballpark.

Big Mike · Feb 14, 2008

IS will do nothing for sports, just FYI.

It won't stop blur from subject movement...but it will still help to prevent blur from camera shake...which may be a factor if you are shooting at slower shutter speeds. Better to have it, than not...but for sports, it won't make up for not having a fast enough shutter speed.

JerryPH · Feb 14, 2008

At most events 'Togs that have big/heavy lenses usually mount them on tripods or monopods... just a note, when using either, disable IS or VR, it may add to the blur more than help remove it.