What Lense To Buy

[TurboDSM91]

I recently landed a lead photography position at my school paper. I continually find myself in low light fast paced situations and need a lens i can zoom with, can take low light pictures well and that is reasonably fast. I'll be upgrading my XSi to a 60d this summer also.

What lens would you guys suggest within the range of $400-$600? i have a 18-55mm, 75-300mm a 50mm 1.8 and a 18-135mm currently.

 

[fsquare]

need a lens i can zoom with

Standard or Tele Zoom?

 

[TurboDSM91]

Gonna say telephoto. I take pictures at friends' hockey, dodgeball games, at dance performances, and drifting/auto racing.

 

[table1349]

need a lens i can zoom with, can take low light pictures well and that is reasonably fast

within the range of $400-$600?

These two terms are pretty much a contradiction. Reasonably fast for low light is at least f2.8.

Here is one choice: Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD AFB005C700 B&H Photo

Another choice: Tokina 16-50mm f/2.8 AT-X 165 PRO DX Autofocus ATX165PRODXN B&H

A third choice: Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Zoom Lens for Can 583101 B&H


A little more budget and you options open up more.

 

[TurboDSM91]

Any more suggestions? Maybe it's just my body (XSi) holding me back?

 

[Offhand]

If you're shooting fast moving subjects in low light, 2.8 often isn't enough unless you really hike up the iso or use flash. I learned that the hard way. The 85mm 1.8 or 100mm 2.0 are good moderate length primes that do pretty well in low light and fit in your budget. Maybe a used 135mm 2.0, which is an L prime with excellent IQ and fast focusing. I find that the 85mm seems to focus a lot better in low light than the 100mm. Haven't tried the 135 but hear its better in every way over the other two. Of course, that would be pretty long on your crop camera.

 

[Michiyo-Fir]

Tamron 28-75mm 2.8

or Sigma or Tamron 70-200 2.8 Buy 2nd hand.

 

[Offhand]

A 28-75mm lens on a crop camera is not a particularly useful range. If you buy a third-party 2.8 zoom, get the Tamron 17-50 non VR. I had one of those and it was a nice lens and decently wide, light and fairly sharp. The non VR version is sharper than the VR version.

Tamron 28-75mm 2.8

or Sigma or Tamron 70-200 2.8 Buy 2nd hand.

 

[TurboDSM91]

I'm gonna look at the lenses suggested (thanks everyone!) but in the meantime:

I did some looking of my own, and i like the 70-200 f4L but, f4 is rather low for low light pictures at speed. Plus I already have a 70-300mm f4-5.6 telephoto zoom and sometimes its too dark with the XSi

the 200mm prime looks like what I would need but 200mm prime isnt long for some of the stuff i shoot and too short for others.

The 60D has a much higher ISO then the XSi, the higher ISO will brighten things up, maybe i should wait on buying a lense?

 

[Dao]

Sell the 18-135mm for $300 and sell the 75-300 for around $100. And plus the $400-$600, you maybe able to get the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 non-IS lens.

 

[photocraziness]

Get the Tamron 17-50 non VR, you won't regret it

 

[TurboDSM91]

Sell the 18-135mm for $300 and sell the 75-300 for around $100. And plus the $400-$600, you maybe able to get the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 non-IS lens.

I can get it used for $600+ shipping

 

[Ginu]

Sell the 18-135mm for $300 and sell the 75-300 for around $100. And plus the $400-$600, you maybe able to get the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 non-IS lens.

For any type of sports the 70-200 F/2.8 is the key. get rid of what you're not using and get that lens and in the future upgrade the body from a rebel to a more enthusiast body... Any lens slower than at least a F4 is too slow for action photography.

 

[Dao]

Sell the 18-135mm for $300 and sell the 75-300 for around $100. And plus the $400-$600, you maybe able to get the EF 70-200mm f/2.8 non-IS lens.

I can get it used for $600+ shipping

Then you should buy it since $600 is quite cheap for that lens. (assuming in good condition)

 

[TurboDSM91]

Sorry that is the f4 lens not the 2.8.

Any input on theTamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens