Lens / Camera Advice please

First off, hello, it's been awhile since I have been around.

I usually only shoot my kids sports (usually baseball/football). I thought I was on the right path but this winter I don't think I shot one game where I was excited over the results. It's been awhile since I upgraded equipment, and I am thinking it's time.

You can see my equipment in my siggy. I use the 40D with the 70-200 2.8L for baseball and football. I am finding I am cropping way too much, which is one of the reasons I don't think I have been excited over my results. I do have the 1.4x but, I don't like to use it.

My question is, I am not getting rid of my 70-200 2.8 but would like to add an additional lens. I am just an amateur at this point so I can't go too high. I was thinking the 300 F/4L for daytime games. Is this the right choice? I will miss the F/2.8 but at this point I can't afford the 300 F/2.8.

How about my body? I haven't been around lately and I see there are some new cameras out that I haven't looked into. If I were to upgrade, what do you suggest? Please keep in mind my budget is usually around 1200 for a body.

Thanks for the info.

caroleigh wrote in post #11923848
I don't think I shot one game where I was excited over the results.

Which aspects of your photos excite you? Because there are things that upgraded gear will help with, and there are things that it won't.

13inches wrote in post #11923881
Which aspects of your photos excite you? Because there are things that upgraded gear will help with, and there are things that it won't.

I really think I need more reach, but I am worried with a prime that I will lose some shots if the players are too close. I think that only happens about 2% of the games though. I am finding I don't like my shots that I have to crop. They are usually too soft. The problem is, it's most of them.

Perhaps the 100-400L or 70-300L would suit your needs.

+1 on the 100-400L, especially for daytime baseball/football (and LAX, soccer, any outdoor field sport).

The Sigma 50-500 ("Bigma") is another lens that should be experienced by each sports photographer. If you want loooooonnnnng reach without sacrificing the ability to go wide, the Bigma's great. Great bargain on the used market too... $600-700. Try it for a season and then sell it for the same price if you want to try something else.

Both are very hand-holdable. IMHO, IS isn't critical because you're going to be using these during day games with SS ~1/1000" or better.

Where are you shooting from? High in the stands? Low? From the sidelines?

If you have sideline access to the football games, the 70-200 f/2.8L IS is a great lens. Doesn't do it all for you and you need good position and the action at a reasonable distance. It's not going to cover the OTHER side of the field, that's for sure.

Assuming your kids are going to continue with sports, a 7D is a great choice. Won't break the bank and is very capable for football, basketball and baseball. As far as lenses go, Canon's new 100-300mm is kind of interesting. If I were to continue on shooting sports, I'd look into that. One thing to keep in mind is if the kids are playing HS football at night, the f/2.8 is completely necessary. Even at f/2.8, you'll be shooting at very high ISO settings. The 7D handles high ISO settings every well.

dave