Zoom Lens

Hey everyone,

I bought the Rebel XTi several weeks ago and am really enjoying it as much as an amature can. Anyway, I need some advice on what type of lens to buy. I am planning on shooting a church directory in two weeks and would like a good lens to get close w/o being right in their face. Secondly, I want to start taking pictures of baseball and other sport photography that I would like to get up close on. Is there a lens that will do both? If so, what is the name? It doesn't have to be a canon though. I would like to have good quality with low price. As far as the zoom is concerned, I would like to be able to stand at the green monster and see the expression on the batters face maybe even the sweat too. Is that possible with a dual purpose lens for portrait/sports work?

Thanks in advance!
Chris

If you will be shooting indoors, you probably want something fast, 2.8 or faster, as well as for sports..

sigma 70-200 EX DG APO HSM f/2.8 around 800 USD

The 50mm 1.8 would probably work well for your church portraits. It costs around $70.00.

Thankseveryone, I will check in to these lenses!
Chris

For shots from left field you'll need a greater focal length, 1mm per foot might be a good rule of thumb, I haven't seen a good comparison of telephoto length uses. Adding a 1.4x TC to a 70-200 might be enough at Fenway. A 2x TC would be better at deeper parks.