newbie here

[Celeste]

This is my first post here.

I've read and read and read about lenses and I still can't seem to make up my mind as to what to get next. I'm on a budget so I think the max I can spend is around $500-600. I have the 50mm 1.8 lens and the kit lens for the Rebel XT. I also have the Speedlite 430EX. I have two needs. The first is more zoom - I'd like to be able to stand 15-20 feet away from my kids and zoom in on their faces. The second is indoor photography like basketball and also inside the house. I really can't stand the flash.

I'm not the world's greatest photographer - but I've vowed to spend more time this year improving. My goal for January is to research and buy a new lens. And the other goal is to only shoot in manual.

I've been considering these four lenses and I'm not sure if I'm even close to being where I need to be.

Canon 85mm 1.8
Canon 75-300 f/4-5.6 IS
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
TAMRON 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DI II LENS

Do I really need the 300? Won't it be heavy?

Thanks.

[elader]

the 75-300 is crap. It has been replaced by the 70-300, which is also a SLOW lens for indoors - IS will not help with moving subjects. The Tamron 18-200 is OK, but is primarily about range, not quality or speed or build quality. For indoor sports, speed is king - the 85 f/1.8 is a fabulous choice to complement the nifty fifty. Arguably the best telezoom in your price range is the 70-200L f/4 - no one will ever tell you it disappoints in build quality, focus speed, sharpness, etc. It is a lexus at a ford price. Outdoors, it cannot be beat.Indoors, f/4 is too slow for sports.

By the way, I have a novel solution for you. I have the 85mm f/1.8 and I can pair it with the kenko pro 1.4X teleconverter and get a reasonably sharp 120mm f/2.8 - you can get this on ebay for $125 - so the 85 and the tele will cost you $475. The AF slows down some when using the TC, but it's still OK.

Dont buy bad glass - it will make photography unfun.

[nicksan]

This is my first post here.

I've read and read and read about lenses and I still can't seem to make up my mind as to what to get next. I'm on a budget so I think the max I can spend is around $500-600. I have the 50mm 1.8 lens and the kit lens for the Rebel XT. I also have the Speedlite 430EX. I have two needs. The first is more zoom - I'd like to be able to stand 15-20 feet away from my kids and zoom in on their faces. The second is indoor photography like basketball and also inside the house. I really can't stand the flash.

I'm not the world's greatest photographer - but I've vowed to spend more time this year improving. My goal for January is to research and buy a new lens. And the other goal is to only shoot in manual.

I've been considering these four lenses and I'm not sure if I'm even close to being where I need to be.

Canon 85mm 1.8
Canon 75-300 f/4-5.6 IS
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
TAMRON 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DI II LENS

Do I really need the 300? Won't it be heavy?

Thanks.

For indoors basketball you'll need a fast lens...maybe a fast prime like the one you mentioned or perhaps something longer. I wouldn't be too afraid to use the 430EX indoors. I have the 580EX and started using it indoors and I really like the results. Up to that point I was allergic to using the flash!

As for the 75-300, I would recommend the 70-300 IS over that one. It's just a better lens. 70-200 F/4L non-IS is another option as well in that price range.

[crn3371]

Welcome to the forum Celeste. For low-light photography around the house, you've already got it in the 50 f1.8 . For indoor sports the 85 f1.8 seems to be one of the most recommended lenses around here. The Canon 100 f2 would be another option. Good used 85's are regularly available here in the Marketplace forum for around $300. The 75-300 isn't one of Canon's finest. If you want something in the tele zoom area, take a look at the Sigma 70-300 for about $200 new. The best bang for the buck in the 70-300 zooms. Also, don't worry about weight, not that heavy, and the range is nice for outdoor sports, and candids of the kids.

[runninmann]

One lens that is not mentioned very often is the EF 100-300. It costs about $60-$80 more than the Sigma 70-300, but about half as much, new, as the EF 70-300 IS. It has a slower f/4.5 max aperture at the wide end, but is equal at the long end. It has ring USM and, so, is fast focusing and offers FTM. In addition it produces great colors and IQ. I owned this lens prior to buying the 70-300 and sometimes regret selling it.