What focal length?

[mikes]

I am not looking for a critique as much as some lens advice. All I want to do is take some pretty good (not excellent.. family photo books only) youth soccer photos, but I'm struggling with focal length. Here's what I get today with my stock camera lens, and I'm looking to get a telephoto, but not sure what. I'd like to get the kinds of shots I've put the red rectangle around from the sidelines.

I do NOT have a lot of money to spend (budget < $600) but want to get shots like those identified here. Prime lens is cool, I'm happy to crop afterwards if I can get close enough!

Lens EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Focal Length: 42mm
f10
1/200
ISO 200

[Geodar]

Go for a 200mm or better the 300mm tele photo lens, shop around for the best price. Not sure what camera you got but Sigma or Tamron are ok. If you get one of these lenses you should get the shots you are after.
Geoff

[inkista]

EF 70-200 f/4L USM, or EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM are likely to be the two most-recommended lenses for what you want. They're both skirting the top edge of your budget, though. The 70-200 f/4L non-IS is the cheapest of the four versions on offer (watch the max. aperture and whether the lens has IS). Both of them are likely to require that you're shooting outdoors in sunlight, and won't be very usable without a tripod and non-moving subject indoors.

[bobby62914]

The Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 is a nice lens. B&H and Adorama have them for about your budget. Check both, either (or neither, or both) might have free shipping.

I also have the Sigma 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 and it is not nearly as sharp as the Tamron. Of course, it was one third the cost, too...

[mcdeegan]

I have a Tameron 200-500, which has been great for my older girls as they play on bigger fields and the refs limit where I can stand. I used a 28-300 when the girls were small and played on short-sided fields.

[Greendrake77]

I have a REFURB 70-300 IS coming from Adoroma tomorrow. Quite the discount, you should check them out.