Can't decide between these two lenses???

yes i do
you could always narrow you list down by renting and trying out lenses

Since you're on a budget, forget about the 85 1.8 for now and employ your 50 1.8 for hoops. It's not the quickest focusing lens, but it can produce a few keepers and works well as a portrait lens.

If "outdoor football" means shooting under "Friday Night Lights," then I think a 70-200 2.8 would better serve your needs. Obviously, it's more expensive than it's f/4 counterpart (a used one is probably double) and would require waiting and saving more pennies. Another option is the 200 2.8, which I believe is around the same price as the 70-200 f4 non-is. All that said, if you're still leaning towards the 70-200 f/4, you could learn how to use flash for nighttime football or simply crank the ISO on your 7d and go for it.

RonnieA wrote in post #9420481
Since you're on a budget, forget about the 85 1.8 for now and employ your 50 1.8 for hoops. It's not the quickest focusing lens, but it can produce a few keepers and works well as a portrait lens.

If "outdoor football" means shooting under "Friday Night Lights," then I think a 70-200 2.8 would better serve your needs. Obviously, it's more expensive than it's f/4 counterpart (a used one is probably double) and would require waiting and saving more pennies. Another option is the 200 2.8, which I believe is around the same price as the 70-200 f4 non-is. All that said, if you're still leaning towards the 70-200 f/4, you could learn how to use flash for nighttime football or simply crank the ISO on your 7d and go for it.

You bring up an interesting point. I have a brand new 580EXII on it's way, should be here this week. High speed sync would be a good option. Do they usually let you use flash at nighttime football games? I know that it is probably out of the question for indoor basketball..... Anyone shed some light on this? (No pun intended)

43 North wrote in post #9420504
I have a brand new 580EXII on it's way, should be here this week. High speed sync would be a good option. Do they usually let you use flash at nighttime football games?

Short answer: speedlite flash works great for night football... off-camera cord helps a lot (mainly to reduce red-eye). Don't use HSS. Just set SS at max xsync and let the strobe stop the action.

See https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=564196

What are you going to do with your photos?
Personal use or sales?

43 North wrote in post #9420504
You bring up an interesting point. I have a brand new 580EXII on it's way, should be here this week. High speed sync would be a good option. Do they usually let you use flash at nighttime football games? I know that it is probably out of the question for indoor basketball..... Anyone shed some light on this? (No pun intended)

Just like indoors, make sure its kosher with the officials, coaches and whoever is in charge. I know alot of schools frown on any flash photography. I like you, have a real tight budget, and I sell my pictures, so to offset the cost I rent a few lenses here and there and plan to get as many events during the rental period. eventually the orders I get will pay for a new lens...just a suggestion from a learning photog like you.

wyofizz wrote in post #9420840
What are you going to do with your photos?
Personal use or sales?

My goal is to sell the photos to the athletes and their families or friends.

43,
First off could you please put your name in your sig so I can quit calling you 43...unless you like it ofcourse.
Forget about high speed sync. for reasons stated above = many more. If it takes you a bit to save the extra money try to get the 70-200 2.8 or not even if you can get a used one. Its a workhorse and I would never think of getting rid of it and it takes well to a 1.4 TC depending on the situation but with field sports comming like soccer you will want the extra reach. Even with baseball comming unless you have field access you will sometimes want more reach. My 70-200 is my "MOST" used lens. Even over my 200 1.8 with extender on it, unless its football season and your using a strobe. You can learn strobes and football later this year when everyone starts gearing back up for that.
If you really want to get in some BB right now the 85 1.8 would be your next go to lens IMHO. But the 70-200 can be used for this also exspecillay if you get some strobes by next season.
Just my .2 worth...did I mention the 70-200 2.8?

I have always been a fan of buying Canon lenses.......but are the Tamrons any good? I can get one of those in a 70-200mm 2.8 for a reasonable price......

43 North wrote in post #9423006
I have always been a fan of buying Canon lenses.......but are the Tamrons any good? I can get one of those in a 70-200mm 2.8 for a reasonable price......

I can not speak for the Tamron's I have only used the Canon I do not know the IQ with the 1.4 on a Tamron. You do what you can afford (or want to spend) to do and you go with that.
Sports action photography is not a cheep hobby I can assure you that.
Keep in mind you have to produce results (images) better than what the M's and D's with dslr can produce to make sales. And you will need premium access and the ability to get out of the way of arrent balls comming at you extreemly fast and they look really close when your looking through the view finder.
And you cant sell what you dont have. You must be ready for every shot its easy to get sucked into watching the game and miss the shot.