Teeball and kick ball? (Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens )

[elo179]

Is the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens good enough to take sharp images for tee ball and kick ball games? I will use this to take pictures of my kids.

Does this lens do well indoors like at school plays or presentations?


I have read people saying that Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-300mm-4-5-6-Lens-Cameras/dp/B0007Y794O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1249934064&sr=8-2) is really good for the price but $500 is a little high for me. Can the 55 -250mm compete as far as image quality? Will the extra 50mm and usm be worth the extra $250? Please advise.

What lens do you guys recommend for this type of photography? Do you guys have any action pic with the 55-250mm you could share?

Thanks in advance!

[eigga]

It would help to know the equip you already have..

Yes, the 55-250 will be a good all around lens, especially for outside in decent light. Youth sports do not require super fast focus ability so you will be able to get great results with that lens for your family. Indoors it will not work very well.

I think the BEST lens canon makes for the price is the 70-200 f/4 I suggest you look ino that for what you describe..

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-200mm-Telephoto-Zoom-Cameras/dp/B000053HH5/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1249991909&sr=8-4

[elo179]

I have a canon T1i w/kit lens, and Metz 48 Af-1

[eigga]

Ya save for the 70-200 f/4. I think you will be impressed and it will work indoors in some situations at f/4 and 1600+ ISO

Indoors the 85 1.8 or 50 1.4 will be best for family stuff on a budget... or 100 f/2 for more reach indoors

[elo179]

I was thinking 50 1.8, seems like a good buy for 100 bucks

Also notice that the lenses you recommend for indoors are all set distance. Is there any good indoor that varies mm

[eigga]

Thats a good lens to start with

Fast glass(good for indoors)+ zoom = $$$ Here are a few

Zoom lens
70-200 2.8 $1219
24-70 2.8 $1219
16-35 2.8 $1458
17-55 2.8 $976

A prime lens (does not zoom) They are a fixed focal length.

[elo179]

that makes sense

[elo179]

Ya save for the 70-200 f/4. I think you will be impressed and it will work indoors in some situations at f/4 and 1600+ ISO

Indoors the 85 1.8 or 50 1.4 will be best for family stuff on a budget... or 100 f/2 for more reach indoors

will i be okay with out IS? I know the IS model cost like 2x more

[eigga]

IS will help with camrea shake at low shutter speeds( less than 1/250ish).. However IS does not help with subject movement so in most cases of sports and kids it is not crucial.

If you had the funds for the f/4 IS version I would reccomend the 70-200 2.8 instead.

[ChunkyDA]

Let me just add to the praises of the 70-200f4. Check this link and the rest of the site:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-55-250mm-f-4-5.6-IS-Lens-Review.aspx
There is also plenty of picture examples right here on POTN. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=107
My first real tele was the f4 bought used on this forum, just was not happy with the cheap Sigma I got for $100.

[ChunkyDA]

I forgot to add that the IS will help at the school plays and other indoor activities but I just bring a monopod to hold 'er steady. You'll want a reasonably fast shutter to deal with subject movement anyway.

[elo179]

so the 70-200 f4 L seems to be the winner, Is there any other barnd you may recomend that would be close to as good? for maybe 1/2 the price?