Help with Rebel XT Lenses

[glennk]

I've had Cannon digital cameras but new to lenses. I just purchased the EOS Rebel XT and need any suggestions on a lense to shoot football games? Sorry for the novice question any help would be appreciated.

[aparmley]

Are you a sideline shooter or a nose bleed shooter?
Are you shooting for papers? shooting for the memories of a child, or shooting for fun?
What kind of budget are we working with here Glenn?

I would think answering a few of those would be able to help us narrow down your choices...

[glennk]

Sorry like i said i am new at this. I am shooting from the sideline and i am shooting for both memories and for fun. I do plan on having these printed and hung. I was given a recomendation of a lense at Best Buy where the camera was purchased in the range of 250 dollars and it had a decent zoom but i couldnt tell you exactly what it was.

[timmciglobal]

Here is the problem my friend with "zoom" and "long".

The longer the zoom the higher shutter speed needed to "Stop" action, the higher shutter speed = the more light needed, the longer the zoom the less light usually.

The lenses will be listed in F stops (Basically how much light comes threw the lens) F 2.8 is better then F4, F 4 is better then F 5.6

This won't be much of an issue in a very bright clear day but when your shooting with cloud cover instantly the shutter speeds will get too low to avoid shake.

The 70>200 F4L is a great compromise lens. Good speed, excelent optics (probably best color/sharpness lens you'll own) runs about 500. The 75>300 IS USM is ok, has IS (image stabilization, prevents camera shake at slower shutter speeds) but is slower optically then the 70>200. The best lens for it is probably the 70>200L F2.8 or F2.8IS which run around 1200/1600.

The lens they probably have for 250 is the 75>300 USM 2 or 3, it's a peice of crap don't waste the money.

Tim

[glennk]

thanks, I am new to this and i didnt trust the person who i was speaking to. I just spent a decent amount on the rebel xt i might as well get a quality lense. thanks for the info

[aparmley]

Tim is not leading you astray... I concur with his recommendation on the Canon 70-200L F4. that 75-300 IS lens he mentioned would probably be the cheapest best option but at 430 you might as well buy save another week or three and pick up the L glass... the difference will be priceless.. head over to pbase.com and check out the same pictures taken with the Canon EF 70-200mm F4 L lens (http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/ef_70200_4u)

[TheObiJuan]

For your budget the sigma 70-300 APO Super Macro II would be the best bet. It is a great value.

[aparmley]

I agree Obi - I was not sure what his budget is... he spoke of a 250 dollar lens recommendation, but I didn't think that was his budget... if you do have a tight budget definetly think about the Sigma 70-300 APO... its not the most versitile lense but like Obi said, a great value...

[glennk]

thanks, $250 wasnt my budget its just the amount of the lense they offered to sell me at the store. I just spent alot on the camera so an extra $500 wont make a difference at this point. I believe in doing right the first time ...to an extent obviously.

[glennk]

the lense they were offering is a Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Zoom Lens for $200 dollars

[TheObiJuan]

Well, if you budget is higher, then the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 is great, it has less range but is faster, quiter, and sharper wide open.