which telephoto lens?

[Avas Mom]

So my 15 yr anniversary is coming up -- and i'd like to get a nice lens. My dream lens would be canon 70-200 2.8 with IS.

I want to be able to take pics of kids t-ball and school performances.

my current lens are 50 1.4 and Tamron 17-50 2.8

The 70-200 2.8 is is very expensive... does anyone have suggestions/or experience with a different lens. With my current lens, I feel like i'm to far from the action.

Thanks!

Carie

[esther_a]

That would be my dream lens, too
Combining telephoto and zoom and wide aperture does make it expensive (and heavy)!

[iUma]

A girl can never have enough glass. I believe this. I have the lens you want and it is totally worth it. I sold the first version so I could get the upgrade. If you feel the newest version is too expensive check the web for folks selling the first version. It is an amazing lens and much less expensive now that many want to upgrade. ... just an idea.

But I will say this.... get as much as you can afford... cause you are gonna want M.O.R.E.
sorry, but it is the truth.

[mccats]

I have the Tamron 18-270, f3.5, it does a nice job. You might want to check with a real camera store in your area-they might have a used one in perfect shape of the one you have your heart set on.

[Mariah]

I own the Nikon 70-200mm VR II lens and it's worth every penny. It's an incredible lens and I would say get it if you can at all afford it. You won't be sorry. I own several lenses but this one is on my camera most of the time. Hope this helps the decision making!

[dugarner]

I've only rented the 70-200mm 2.8 and it was a Sony, but boy, that was a gorgeous lens. If you're thinking about taking a lot of shots indoors with questionable lighting, I'd go with that lens in a heartbeat. The Sony version is $2000 . . . way out of my price range . . . and sadly, I've been in a hundred situations since October where I could have used that lens. Go for it!

[thessh]

Originally Posted by mccats

I have the Tamron 18-270, f3.5, it does a nice job. You might want to check with a real camera store in your area-they might have a used one in perfect shape of the one you have your heart set on.

I have the Tamron 28-300, f3.5-6.3, with what Tamron calls VC (vibration control).
This is my everyday-lens and it's mounted on my camera most of the time, because it gives me such versatility! When I travel, this is the one that ALWAYS goes with me! Along with a really wide wide-angle and my nifty-fifty...

But I also have a Canon 70-200, f2.8. I love it! And it would be hard for me to shoot weddings and concerts without it!
But it NEVER goes with me abroad on vacations, since I would have to pay overweight on my camerabag if I packed it...

My sister bought the Tamron 18-270 since I love my Tamron-lens, and she's equally satisfied with the weight and the versatility!

[beehive50]

Carie, for shooting kids and sport and indoor performances, you so need the 70-200 f2.8 IS... I've tried everything else and even rented that lens, thinking I didn't need it all the time. Wrong. I bit the bullet and bought it... used, though, from a reputable dealer and saved quite a bit of money. Even then, it was still expensive, but so very much worth it. I use it all the time and am just sorry I didn't have this when my kids were younger for those school performances! You seriously won't regret getting the 70-200!