BetterPhoto Q&A
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BetterPhoto Member		Lens I have purchased a Canon Digital Rebel XT. I am looking a good fast zoom lens for shooting highschool football games at night. I really do not know where to begin looking? Can anyone help or suggest a lens? I would really appreciate your input! J. Defelice To love this question, log in above August 19, 2006

Bob Chance		If you find one that doesn't require a mortgage, let me know. Canon makes two versions of it's 70-200mm with a fast maximum aperature of f/2.8. One lens is an 'L' series, the other isn't. The non aspherical lens is $1100 at B&H. The 'L' series is $1700. They make another 'L' series 70-200 for about $600, but it will cost you a stop as it's only an f/4.0. Sigma makes a 70-200 f/2.8 apochromatic lens for less then $900 at B&H. This is a good zoom choice for shooting sporting events at night because of the large aperature. Anything longer in focal length, you'll loose in speed as the max aperature might only be f/4.0 or f/5.6. Any other zoom lens with an aperature as wide as f/2.8, will be too short a focal length to be of any use for the type of shooting you want it for. There may be other lenses from other manufactures that someone else may suggest. I only scanned B&H for you, and this is what I found that would best suite your particular needs. To love this comment, log in above August 19, 2006

Jon Close		Slight correction: Canon makes three 70-200 zooms, all of them are professional-grade L series. there are 2 f/2.8 versions. 1The ~$1700 f/2.8 has Image Stabilization (IS), the $1100 version is non-IS (not "non-aspherical). Otherwise, totally agree with Bob. The Sigma f/2.8 is a good economical alternative to the Canon f/2.8. The f/4L is just as sharp and well built as the f/2.8s, but is much lighter weight. To love this comment, log in above August 20, 2006

Bob Chance		Thank you Jon, I stand corrected. Yes, Canon does make three versions of that same lens, but I didn't bother to metion the 70-200mmf/4.0 because author asked for a fast zoom lens. I don't consider f/4.0 fast, certainly not fast enough for the type of shooting she has in mind. Another factor to consider, although f/2.8 is relatively fast, at the longer focal lengths, DOF will be virtualy nothing at wide open aperatures and sharpness will be less than desirable too. It's really going to depend on how well lit the field is and how close you can get to the action. And of course, flash is out of the question. Before making a decision to purchase any zoom, you may want to try shooting the first game with whatever lens you have just to see what exposure settings you have to work with. If it's pretty bright and you use a high ISO, you may be able to get away with an f/4.0 lens. As Jon pointed out, it's much lighter than the f/2.8, cost less and is just as sharp. I fear that if you spend the extra money for a 2.8, and shoot at wide open aperature to maintain a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the action, you may be dissapointed with the results because of the extremely shallow DOF and the fact that no lens is going to be at it's optimal sharpness at wide open aperature. It's just a nature of glass and the laws of physics. Most lenses are at there sharpest when stopped down two stops from maximum. So there are other things to consider here other than speed and price. To love this comment, log in above August 20, 2006

Sandy E. Homer		Oh Canon 70/200 2.8f where have you been all my life. If only it would come down in price. It is but a dream for me :) I am saying my money for the Canon 70/200 2.8f. I feel it would be worth every penny. Macro, telephoto, portrait. What more can you ask for. If only it was wide angle it would be the perfect lens. But I will forgive it the lack of the wide angle and take the 2.8 f stop. WOW. But to answer your question I believe the Canon 70/200 2.8f would be the most ideal lens for high school football games. If you have the money get it. I think you would get frustrated with the 4.0f stop of the other Canon lens. To slow. Cheaper, but remember you get what you pay for. To love this comment, log in above September 02, 2006

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