Cheap Action Sports Lenses?

[merrrrjig]

I am going to be getting a canon 20D mid Jan. I shoot Downhill Mountain biking and dirt jumping. I am going to need a cheap fast lense, Any suggestions?

[transcend]

I shoot DH, DJ and park riding almost exclusively during the summer.

The 50mm would be great for this, but i prefer something a little wider. Not really cheap, but the 17-40 is AMAZING for bike stuff. Especially non race conditions where you can get in really close. Otherwise the 70-200 is the perfect tools for a Dh course. (check out 99% of pro MTB photogs at the next event, they will have one of these 2 lenses on probably).

http://www.transcendmagazine.com/gallery

Choose the first one to see some park stuff I shot last week on these 2 lenses (17-40, 50mm).

[stv737]

Well its not really cheap until you look at Canon L glass, the Sigma 100-300 F4 for the money is a great lens. I got mine new off E-bay for $550.00 and I couldn't be happier with it. Its not the best for night football but during the daylight hours its awesome. I sold enough pics during the last soccer season to pay for it and then some.

[charlesu]

Just understand that good and cheap rarely belong together in the photo industry. You can get long glass cheap. You can get fast glass cheap. You can get either of them in high quality. But you cannot have both quality and low price. Sorry.

As for needing the speed, why? You can easily shoot the 20D at higher ISOs and get outstanding results. Trust me, I was shocked at both what I have done and what others have done. 800 ISO looks remarkable. Easily saleable.

That leaves you some leeway on the glass and/or the ability to shoot at a higher f-stop so that glass which is soft at lower f-stops might be a better performer.