What lens should I buy?

I am a amateur photographer who takes lots of pictures of grandkids. I also like to take nature pictures and kids sporting events. I have a Canon 20D and I am looking to add a couple of lenses. First I am look at the 70-200L lens, my question is would it be better to buy the f/4L with IS or the f/2.8L without IS? I am also looking for a lens with something around a 28mm, 35mm, 50mm or85mm with an f stop around 1.2 to 1.8. Suggestions on standard or Marco? f stop? I know this kind of a general question and you might say, it depends but just looking for suggestion for general use.

What lenses do you have currently? And what is your budget?

I have a Canon 17-85mm 4-5.6 with IS and a Sigma70-300 4-5.6. I would lke to stay below $2K for the 2 lens. Am I dreaming?

When you say kids sporting events do you mean daytime or nighttime outdoors or indoors?

you're going to need go go with primes if you want that wide an aperture. and you just listed you're lenses in your post 28, 35, 50, and 85.. if you go with the USM, non L models you can have all 4 for your budget. 28 1.8 new is around $500, the 50 1.4 is $400 new, and the 84 1.8 is about the same at $400, the 35 f2 is under $325.

if you go big, you could get the latest L of any one of these lens, and be within budget, perhaps even to buy a non L of the other 3.

I have a 28,50, and 85 for sale, if you're not afraid of used equipment (its all in good shape, but there is a personal preference involved.)

Indoor and outdoor, basketball, football, baseball.....6 grandkids so a lot of events to go to.

I am wanting to buy the telephoto soon. Debating between the f/4 IS ($1200) and 2.8 no IS ($1250) the 2.8 IS is $1700 which is a little more than I want to spend. Thoughts?

Rbryant wrote in post #9696039
Indoor and outdoor, basketball, football, baseball.....6 grandkids so a lot of events to go to.

f/2.8 at least is required, then. No need for IS because you'll be shooting at a fast enough speed and it doesn't stop motion anyway.

Basketball - I shoot in a well lit area so f/2.8 is fine but others have to shoot with primes to get a decent shutter speed. Football - at night i shoot at ISO 3200, f/2.8, 1/400. Any slower and you might get motion blur. Baseball - a difficult sport, especially at night, 200mm might not be enough.

I use the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8, which is $800 new.

Rbryant wrote in post #9696087
... $1700 which is a little more than I want to spend. Thoughts?

Buy used. When you resell, you'll most likely sell it for the same price you bought it for.

Rbryant wrote in post #9696087
I am wanting to buy the telephoto soon. Debating between the f/4 IS ($1200) and 2.8 no IS ($1250) the 2.8 IS is $1700 which is a little more than I want to spend. Thoughts?

Get the 2.8 non-IS. You'll need the wider aperture to get the shutter speeds for sports. The 85/1.8 is an excellent lens for indoor sport/performances as well, although it can be a little long or short depending on where you are in the crowd. For that reason, I would also get a 50/1.4 when you need a little wider.