Secret of the PRO's: What Zoom lens is good for action sports but cheap in price?

[asuodog8]

I will puchase a 40D next week and what zoom lens should i pick up good for action sports but cheaper in price? Let's say no more then $500

[woolbr8stl]

Indoor or outdoor, what will you be shooting?

[asuodog8]

I'm new at this but it will be day sports, baseball and soccer.

[Sfordphoto]

There aren't any 70-200mm L lenses under $500, unless you can find a used 70-200mm f/4L non IS. That might be your best bet. The 70-200 f/4L lenses have fast USM, and great IQ. Not sure if 200mm will be long enough for you, though.

Browse through http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/
that has a lot of reviews, and a lot of lenses. It will also show you the price when you click buy, from a reputable dealer.

[Sfordphoto]

btw, you'll get what you pay for...I'm not sure if $500 will get you both range and fast focus. You could add a teleconverter, but that will cost you almost $150 for a third party teleconverter, on top of the $500 you'd pay for a used 70-200.

Also note that the f4 won't perform as well as a f/2.8 when the sun starts to set, depending on how fast your subject is moving. A Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 will run you at $780ish.

I honestly don't think there is a cheap way out of this. Maybe someone will prove that I'm mistaken.

[e r y k]

good + cheap only really applies to the 50mm 1.8 :P

everything else, is good and expensive!

[asuodog8]

That's what i figured, thanks for all the help

[curtc]

i think a lot of the pros buy expensive lenses. you're looking for secrets of the poor

[Big Hands]

A used Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 or a Canon 70-200 f/4L.

[bag3lbit3s]

On a crop sensor body the 70-200 f/4 is just barely enough for a soccer game. In low light it will begin to suffer. But on a nice bright day this lens will definitely take some very nice pictures.

A 1.4x teleconverter with the 70-200 on a crop sensor body is an option which is equivelant to 448mm, and will probably be enough for soccer. But you're going to be sacrificing a bit of light and possibly a bit of focusing speed.

I've taken pictures of soccer without a 1.4x teleconverter and it's just enough to work with. As long as I'm right on the line I can still get some good shots. But I'm a bit limited to only shooting players that are playing on the outside of the field.

[Sfordphoto]

phew, I thought I was being harsh, telling him he needed to spend more :D

[ed rader]

I will puchase a 40D next week and what zoom lens should i pick up good for action sports but cheaper in price? Let's say no more then $500

70-200L f4.

ed rader

[TheGreatDivorce]

Gotta pay to play. 70-200 f/4, or 300 f/4 are your cheapest, best options.