Cannon Rebel XS -- Action/Sports Zoom Lens

[a924713]

Beginner (in training) and would like to take better (action/sports) with my Cannon Rebel XS. The stocked lens (F-S 18-55mm) doesn't cut the mustard for close up action shots. Could anyone recommend a good (action/sports) lens in the price range of $250 - $325 .

Thanks in advance for the help. I have attached a recent game photo taken from about 50 feet away (top bleachers) with my current lens.

[OsmosisStudios]

The problem with sports is speed. A variable aperture lens is cheaper, but not fast enough to help you freeze motion.

You're likely out of luck with that budget.

[inkista]

Also the XS is using an older autofocus system, equivalent to the old Canon XT. It is a slight handicap when it comes to fast action photography. If you were shooting daytime sports, you might be able to get away with a $250 55-250 IS, but for night-time sports you're up against it with the maximum aperture, and an f/5.6 consumer zoom just won't work. What you really want is a good f/2.8 USM telephoto.

The closest I can think of is about $100 more than your budget: the EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, and it's not a great outdoor sports lens, since you can't change the focal length and it's a little short of what you want. Ideally, you're probably looking at the 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM ($2k) or its non-IS brother ($1300).

Low-light sports is probably the most demanding subject, lenswise, because you want both reach and a large max. aperture, and neither one comes cheap; and in combination the cost is pretty astronomical. Even the lower-cost Sigma/Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 equivalents start around the $800 mark.