thanksgiving picnic lens recommendations

though it's still far away, i only recently bought my camera, and will be practicing often for my first big shoot on thanksgiving. friends and family will all head out for a nice picnic on thanksgiving, where they want me to take memorable snapshots of the day. i'll be taking lots of pictures of people posing, eating, walking around, etc. i'll also take pictures of the food and of the park/area. i'm guessing the 18-55 focal range should suffice for all of this, but i'm wondering if i could pull it off with the kit lens. i will most likely take pictures in the morning/afternoon, and we'll likely leave a little bit before sun sets.

also, im sure we're gonna pick up that pigskin and go a round of football (american style)! i'm guessing the 100-200 range should suffice, but since i've never taken sports shots before, i could use a lot of advice on this one. i was also told an aperture of f4 should be fast enough to take action shots during the daytime as well. however, being that i'm still more about theory than practice, i could use some suggestions.

i'd much rather join all the action, but someone's gotta take the shot, and i'm the only one among my close friends and family that is crazy enough to invest in this expensive but wonderful hobby thanks in advance for all your help!

70-200 f/4 or f/2.8 ... length for candids/sports is a good thing. These are pricy lenses tho... you might want to consider the Sigma version.

18-55 should cover you for close-ups (portraits etc.) but isn't great glass. Depends how good you want your shots to be I'd probably get a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 for this. Or a big improvement on the kit lens is the Canon 17-85 IS.

if i get the right price, i'll be getting the 30D with kit lens + qualifying rebate lens. i was thinking either the 50mm f1.4 or the 85mm f1.8. anyone have recommendations?

i will most likely rent the telephoto from the local camera shop, as i dont have the funds to get a decent one. (except maybe the sigma APO, but i want to hold on that...)

unix04 wrote in post #2116414
if i get the right price, i'll be getting the 30D with kit lens + qualifying rebate lens. i was thinking either the 50mm f1.4 or the 85mm f1.8. anyone have recommendations?

i will most likely rent the telephoto from the local camera shop, as i dont have the funds to get a decent one. (except maybe the sigma APO, but i want to hold on that...)

Both of those lenses are fantastic. The Sigma APO 70-300 is a superb lens for the money as well. Good luck with your purchase!

EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM......many people on this forum own one.....apparently it's quite good.

if you are planning on using the kit lens, ge the 85mm... it will give you more options and reach in the kit. If you go body only, get the 50 1.4.

my personal take on this is that the 18-55 kit lens will do a really nice job out in the afternoon sun. put your camera away before the sun sets though or you'll be disappointed with the slow lens.

if you shoot the sports action over 150mm, you probalby should get a cheap monopod, or some other way to stabilize for camera shake. it makes all the difference to a newer shooter.

I think you will have a fun and easy first "assignment" you are going to love the results. outdoors, daylight, and lots of people to shoot. Not too challenging for a first gig.

best of luck.

thanks for the tips guys.
one more question, would you guys make the same recommendations if i were to get the XTi instead? if i choose to go down the path of XTi, im not limited to whichever lens i need to get the canon rebate.

I think the kit lens with good lighting/flash will do fine. For the football stuff, a longer lens, but really depends on how close you are. You maybe able to get away with the 55mm on the kit if you are close enough.