sports photography of kids

[govikes80]

I am new to slr photography but anxious to get my 20d. What would be a good and versatile midrange lens for shooting my kids at soccer/baseball? Would I be good to get the 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 is usm?

[tommykjensen]

Since You probably will be shooting from some distance You may need more zoom so I would suggest the 70-200 mm f4 L.

[IndyJeff]

I have started doing a lot of youth sports lately. I use a 70-200 f4 L and I have a type II 100-300 plus the 50mm f1.8. The 70-200 is my workhorse and is on probably 90% of the time. I pop the 50 on for close up/headshots etc. The 300 only comes into play when I can't get any closer with the 200 and I use the 300 very little.

The 70-200 is a good all around lense, fast on the focus, good glass, not to heavy. A real workhorse. If your limited on funds, spend the money on the 70-200, in the long run it will be well worth it.

[Persian-Rice]

I think many will suggest the 70-200 F4L and even a TC on top. It's a high end lens but at an affordable price,for a high end lens.

If you are getting the 20D and the noise level are as claimed at high ISO's, then this lens will no longer be considered a "concern" when it comes to speed at darker venues.

Cheers.

[timmyquest]

I second the 70-200 f/4...or third it, or whatever.

[Vegas Poboy]

I do shoot alot of youth sports and due to most of the games is during the day the 70-200 F/4 is a good choice. I'm hoping after I get my 20D it will even help in the low lighting due to the ISO being better quality.

[blinking8s]

I second the 70-200 f/4...or third it, or whatever.

ditto

[CoolToolGuy]

I tried to 'cheap out' by buying the 75-300 IS, but I was so disappointed with it that it sat in my bag until I decided to sell it to get the 70-200 f4L. Best (photographic) move I ever made. Although it is a white lens, it is not as attention-getting as the f2.8 versions. If you need more reach, add the 1.4 Extender, and you still have reasonable speed for daytime sports. I even used it a couple evenings ago to do a marching band 'Kill Drill' as the sun went down and the field lights came on. Without the TC I cranked up the ISO to 400 and I was still getting some good shots. Now band movements are not as quick as sports, and I stopped before it was dark, but the point is that the f4L is a great lens with reasonable speed.

Have Fun,

[DigitDan]

I fought with the Canon 75-300 IS and also ended up leaving it in my bag. The 28-135 just didn't get me close enough so I ended up buying a Sigma 120-300 f2.8. The larger apature has really made a difference and so far I'm really loving the lens. Its expensive as all "fast" telephoto lenses are, but it really lets me shoot at higher shutter speeds and get great action shots.

Dan in Phoenix