canon digital rebel xs, Sports lenses

[Brantrock Bandit]

I need help!!  I'm nem to the digital revolution and have been using canon rebels all my life. I have the original  rebel and a newer version XTI. I have the regular lenses that come with each camera and have also purchased a 75-300 zoom lense. Its older and does not have a image stabilizer in it.
Does anybody have any suggestion on a lense that would help me take photo's of my children while they play in their hockey games. Most of the time they are in inside rinks with average lighting. Can you guys sugest a lense that will help me out. Obviously cost is an issue,but will pay whatever ythe cost to help take top quality photo's.


Thanks for the help
      Bandit

[Bob Atkins]

The "cost is not an issue" lens would be the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM. It's the fastest telephoto zoom available with Image Stabilization.

At lower cost I'd go for the newer EF 70-300/4-5.6IS USM. It's sharper than the old 75-300 lens plus it's stabilized.

For the best light gathering power (givening you the fastest shutter speed to stop action in low light), It would be the EF 85/1.8 USM, EF 100mm f2.0 USM or EF 135mm f2.0L USM. Obviously the disadvantage of these lenses is that they are fixed focal length, so following sports with them when you're shooting from a fixed position is more difficult.

[KeithB]

Also, you are in "P" mode and have the ISO cranked to the max, right?

[Brantrock Bandit]

thanks Keith and Bob. I took a bunch of shots last nite in all modes and have noticed that the P mode was the best. Even the sports mode was not all that good. I have raised the iso, and will try it again. We have many practices and games, so I will get it right soon enough. I was shooting with my EF 70-300/4-5.6IS USM Lense. It does not have image stabilizer. Do you think it would make that big of a difference? Would that increase in quality be justified in spending the $450 for the same lense but with image stabilizer?
Thank for the help.

Any other opinions would help in the proper adjustments in modes would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Bandit

[Bob Atkins]

The IS lens will help you get sharp shots if you're zoomed out and your shutter speed drops below about 1/400s, which is pretty likely indoors.

With the IS lens you should be able to get sharp shots (at least of non-moving subjects) at 300mm at 1/125s or even 1/90s. Of course if your subject iis moving fast than that may not be fast enough to freeze the action. The only solution then is to get a faster lens or a camera body that allows even higher ISO settings.

Try the P mode and ISO set to 1600 and see what the images look like. I'm not sure you can crank the ISO up to 1600 in sports mode, I suspect the XTi uses some auto ISO mode and they don't normally go as high as 1600.

[Brantrock Bandit]

Thanks for the help guys. I have narrowed it down to a few lenses. With all your help and searching through your site Bob these are them.
#1   Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM     $555
#2   Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM      $550
#3   Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM  $1250
#4   Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8l IS USM  $1700


Obviously, the best is #4, but I don't have that kind of money this early in my digital career. I'm thinking of getting #2. It is the cheapest, but I think I will get the most for my money for what I plan on usiing it for. Which is to take pictures of my children in their  hockey games.

Any suggestions on any of these lenses for practicality on taking sports photos indoors in a well lighted hockey rink?


Thanks again
Ken

P.S.  Is a lower Aperture number better for sports photos or is it the higher number?  2.8 or 5.6?
   Do you like a fixed aperture or a adjustable one?

Thanks