need fast lens

[plantlady]

Need help!!
Like to purchase new lens. Have a Canon EOS Rebel 450D XSi. Want to be able to take fast action shots example soccer, football and car racing. Due to hands shaking, would like to have some kind FAST image stabilization.Can't afford a prime lens, any suggestions?

I was thinking a: Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD for Canon Digital SLR Cameras??

I'm trying out the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS usm but it seems a little slow to focus for fast cars.

I like what is said about the Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens (for sports and wildlife photography), but is out of my price range, USA.

Thanks
Plantlady

[OldBoy]

Anything over F4 is going to be slow in focusing and some lenses at the F6.3 end need good light to focus anyway. Suggest you look at the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 Di LD SP AF (IF) Macro Lens - Canon Fit. It hasn't got image stabilisation but only cost £628. Just need to push the speed upto 1000/s.

[thefonz78]

Sigma's 70-200mm f2.8 without stabilization is £567. on amazon. Which won a TIPA award this year. I'm gonna get it myself for the nikon. I should imagine the sigma with its hsm motor will focus faster and quieter than the tamron.

[plantlady]

Thank you both for your replies on the Tamron and Sigma I really appreciate it. This may seem like a silly question, but I'm teaching myself photography, if the lenses (Tamron f2.8 and the Sigma f2.8) are only listed with one f number 2.8, does that mean that you can only use f2.8 throughout the whole zoom range (70-200mm) with either lens? Or can either lens also be used at f5.6, f8, f22 etc.

[Cathus]

you can use f2.8 throughout the whole zoom range but can also use any other aperture too.

the confusion comes with cheaper lenses which quote apertures of say 4.5-5.6, this means they can be used at f4.5 at the low end (eg 70mm) but only as low as 5.6 when zoomed in (eg at 300mm), they can of course use all apertures above 5.6 at all ranges.

the aperture quoted for a lens is always the widest aperture available, though there are some lenses which have a fixed aperture, for instance mirror lenses which only have f8 but these are quite rare now.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by plantlady

Thank you both for your replies on the Tamron and Sigma I really appreciate it. This may seem like a silly question, but I'm teaching myself photography, if the lenses (Tamron f2.8 and the Sigma f2.8) are only listed with one f number 2.8, does that mean that you can only use f2.8 throughout the whole zoom range (70-200mm) with either lens? Or can either lens also be used at f5.6, f8, f22 etc.

As Cathus says, it means it will be a least F2.8 throughout the whole zoom range. You can stll set the aperture to anything from F2.8 to F22 on the Sigma and F2.8 to F32 on the Tamron.

[wavemachine]

Another option is the Canon 70-200 F4L which can be picked up for just under £500, not as fast as the Sigma but a cracking lens which is lovely and sharp at F4 if the conditions are a bit dull then you may need to bump up the ISO.