Looking for soccer lens

[alarmc]

I have a T1i and the 55-250 mm lens. I actually really like the lens, but my children are moving to a more competitive team and I want a better outdoor lens with more reach. I already move around to field a lot, and I will continue to do that but I really find myself needing more reach. Looking for any suggestions. I am not worried about indoor at this point I have the 580exII and already play in a well lit field.

Want to stay under $2000 for sure. I want sharper pictures and extra reach as I am not pulling in from side line to sideline shots. I have am considering the canon 100-400 plus l would love a lens with that reach and f4 max. Looking for better than 50-250 and brand does not matter.
Thanks

[Cardiiiii]

You need to specify your budget.

[zona5101]

Also how much are you missing at 250??? You want to get clloser or a lot closer? 500mm? 600MM? And do you want a zoom lens?

SLR Camera Lenses

[OsmosisStudios]

The only option I can think of is a 100-400L. So there goes $1600.

[Henry Wilt]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

The only option I can think of is a 100-400L. So there goes $1600.

I was about to suggest the same. A member of the West Ham United fans forum uses this lens at matches and gets some superb shots which she posts on the site. She is a fan not a member of the press or anything so is restricted to her seat but doesn't seem to have any problem with reach.

[alarmc]

Originally Posted by Henry Wilt

I was about to suggest the same. A member of the West Ham United fans forum uses this lens at matches and gets some superb shots which she posts on the site. She is a fan not a member of the press or anything so is restricted to her seat but doesn't seem to have any problem with reach.

Want to stay under $2000 for sure. I want sharper pictures and extra reach as I am not pulling in from side line to sideline shots. I have am considering the canon 100-400 plus l would love a lens with that reach and f4 max. Looking for better than 50-250 and brand does not matter.
Thanks

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by alarmc

Want to stay under $2000 for sure. I want sharper pictures and extra reach as I am not pulling in from side line to sideline shots. I have am considering the canon 100-400 plus l would love a lens with that reach and f4 max. Looking for better than 50-250 and brand does not matter.
Thanks

You mentioned that - verbatim - in your original post. We're telling you that you had the right idea in the first place: get the 100-400L. It's not a f/4 max, but it's not gonna get much better without going way above your budget.

[inkista]

100-400L, or EF 300 f/4L IS USM with a 1.4x tc are probably the two choices you want to look at.

[karen_s]

I was debating this very topic a few months ago and opted for the straight 300mm L f/4 IS over the 100-400mm L zoom. I got to try a 100-400 on my Canon 50d and while a nice lens considering it's zoom range, it was not as sharp at the long end as I had hoped. I asked for advice from the DPS community and several recommended I take a look at the straight 300mm so I read the reviews and ended up buying that one. It is SHARP! I use this lens pretty much exclusively for shooting rugby. For soccer though, it's a bit long at times so I switch back and forth between it and my 70-200. For me, it came down to sharpness. But, if flexibility is more important to you, then the 100-400 might be the better choice.

You might try renting both and shooting a match with them to see which you like best.