Need help in picking a new lens

[mdm]

I need help in picking a new zoom lens. This will be for kids sports mainly outside. I have a canon 300d with 28-55 kit lens and I could use a little more zoom. I have a budget of 300 to 400. Please help with any sugestions or ideas. Thanks people.

[pcasciola]

For just a little more (famous last words) you could get a Tokina 80-400. After rebate, they are about $450 now from B&H. A friend of mine has one, and it's a pretty good outdoor lens for the price and has a decent range for various outdoor sports.

Of course, the Canon 70-200 f/4L is even better, but that will run you about $575, and in my opinion is a little on the short side for larger field sports like soccer and football. It's a great lens for the money though.

Here's the Tokina at B&H with the rebate:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=230072&is=REG

[Medic1]

For a bit more you could look at the 70-200 f4L. In your price range I have seen the 75-300 non-IS produce some good results in good lighting, and the IS version is recommended as a good affordable telephoto zoom by many reviewers. You may have to stop it down a bit to get sharp results though.

FYI: With the 70-200 you always have the option of adding a 1.4X TC in the future to add a little more zoom if you need to. This TC is pretty good at maintaining image quality and AF, and it cannot be used with the 75-300.

[mdm]

Thanks, I'll check em out. I'm excited about the thought of getting a new lens. It's got me thinking about all the new shots to come.