Need advice on a lens!

[jschao]

I was wondering if anybody can help me buy a lens for my 10D! I have a Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 lens, but i am thinking of upgrading! I mostly shoot sports events. I also have trouble getting a sharp picture if i dont use a tripod. Thank you for your help!!

[blinking8s]

what is you budget? lots of options :)

[jschao]

my budget will probably be hmmmmmm!! $200-$500!

[Tom W]

Question 2 - what range of zoom do you use most often now? Do you always have it extended to the 300 end, or are most of your shots in the 100-200 range? What you use the most will help decide what you might want to get.

[roanjohn]

200 f2.8 prime.

Ro1

[CyberDyneSystems]

The only lens worth mentioning that is less than $500.00 and gets out to 200mm or more is the 75-300mm IS.. but I don't really like it.

But for a few dollars more than $500.00 you get get a 70-200mm f/4L ?

With this you could then get out to 280mm @ f/5.6 with a 1.4X t-con... and you could save a bit there as it will work very well with the Sigma 1.4X t-con...

The Prime is really nice too.. better really,.. but I don't recall the price?

[jschao]

you second answer would be that its between 200-300mm. DO i need an Image Stabilizer?

[jschao]

any more advice??

[RikWriter]

I would second the notion of going a bit over $500 and getting the 70-200 f4 L lens. I have one and so far I love it. Worth the money by far.

[jschao]

what are the advantages and features of a 70-200 f4 L ?

Thanks...and what does the L stand for? as you can tell, i am a very beginner at this..haha

[RikWriter]

what are the advantages and features of a 70-200 f4 L ?

Thanks...and what does the L stand for? as you can tell, i am a very beginner at this..haha

The L symbolizes that it is Canon's professional line of lenses.
L glass is better quality and sharper than the non-L line, generally.

[jschao]

ohh..thank you!!

[Ken Fong]

The image stabilizer is great if you do a lot of panning at low shutter speeds (shooting a moving subject). You can stabilize in the horizontal/vertical for 'complete' stabilization, OR just in the vertical for excellent 'motion' shots.

When you are not shooting a moving subject, the image stabilizer buys you another 1-3 stops of light to compensate for your hand shaking if you are not using a tripod.

[drisley]

Personally, I think the 70-200F4L is awesome, and is the best bargain L lens available!

[jschao]

Does the 70-200 f4L have the image stabilizer???

What is the cheapest lens that has an image stabilizer?

Thank you again for all your help!

[Ken Fong]

Unfortunately no...you would have to consider the hefty 70-200 2.8 or 100-400 4.5 to get an IS option. The lowest priced IS lens is 28-135 f3.5-5.6, you can get it new for under $400 after rebate. This is the lens that 'lives' on my camera. I'm not sure if it works with a 2x converter, but you would probably lose a lot of light if you did that.

How close are you to the subjects and under what type of lighting?

[jschao]

well, i will be shooting alot of sport events so i probably need 200mm or more dont you think?? i use natural lighting!!

[Ken Fong]

For 10D owners, a 135mm lens is effectively 216mm after the 1.6x cropping factor.

Sigma has some new OS (optical stabilization?) lenses, their version of IS. It is probably a lot cheaper than the Canon equivalents, but probably still more than your budget (80-400mm 4.5-5.6 at $1200).

If you rely on natural light, Sigma has a good 70-200 2.8 lens for about $600 used...combine this with a monopod and you have a low-tech vertical stabilizer, which might be all you need when panning a 'motion' shot. Since you are using a 10D, your maximum zoom becomes 200x1.6 = 320mm! Then shoot in RAW and crop down for some pretty good close-ups at an economical cost. Your focusing will need to be dead-on if shooting wide-open, but it will be very rewarding if you succeed. You may not need a 2.8 lens if you tend to shoot on bright days...those earlier recommendations will work just as well.

[jschao]

nm

[jonnyhorizon]

i have a 75-300 IS i got used for 200.00
i use mine for wildlife and i have it fully extended a lot
the lens gets a lot of mixed reviews and it is not terribly sharp at 300
i am saving for a 100-400L
the quality of the images from the 75-300 is very subjective
i could point you to tons of samples from it
i do a lot of sharpening and generally the results are ok
the price is right
...