Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Telephoto for Hoops and Golf? XSi users,I have read the reviews and am considering the purchase the Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Telephoto Lens. It looks great for catching my son's basketball action. Would it be good for golf swings as well as shot's of the Golf Course? I may be asking too much but would appreciate your advice! Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Telephoto for Hoops and Golf? XSi users,I have read the reviews and am considering the purchase the Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Telephoto Lens. It looks... » Read More Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Telephoto for Hoops and Golf? XSi users,I have read the reviews and am considering the purchase the Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM Telephoto Lens. It looks great for catching my son's basketball action. Would it be good for golf swings as well as shot's of the Golf Course? I may be asking too much but would appreciate your advice! « Show Less
1638908
Just purchased Canon T2i and am looking for a telephoto lens to shoot the family surfing vacations. Any suggestions???Thanks.
358880
I rented this lense to use with my Canon 350D. Shooting a 3rd grade basketball game at 1/250 sec,f2.8, ISO 1600 pics were a little grainy. Shooting at 1/200 sec,f2.8,ISO 800 pics were sharp but a few were just a little under exposed. I am going to buy this lense.
441826
I love this lens for cross country, track as well as basketball games. It is more of a midrange lens but it takes fabulous photos. If you are thinking football, soccer or any other similar range photos the answer is a definite yes. On occasion I do use a 75-300 at times because I want to catch more expression and less full body shots.
623352
i wouldn't recommend it for any sport photography,because it's wide angle and because it's manual focus. i would rather get a telephotolens
1270623
Hi, before buying this 55-200 I would rent the lens and try. After checking if this is enough for softball games, I would decide what to buy.You might be able to find similar prices for the 100-300mm as well.
2058092
I am using this lens primarily for sports - synchronized swimming. So far only outdoors (wish you would ask it a few months out -the indoor meet is coming up then). It is a beautiful lens for landscaping or nature shots, but so far i cannot say i am 100% satisfied with it for sports. Based on what i see, i can imagine it might be problematic with low-light conditions and sports as even outdoors it still hunts that focus point. But off course reflections can be the cause, at least for me. It probably as good as we can go at this price point, but definitely do not expect flawless photos. As to comparing it against Tamron - sorry, no experience there. I am using this lens primarily for sports - synchronized swimming. So far only outdoors (wish you would ask it a few months out -the indoor meet is coming up then). It is a beautiful lens for landscaping or nature shots, but so far i cannot say i am 100% satisfied with it for sports. Based on what i see, i can imagine it might be problematic with low-light conditions and sports as even outdoors it still hunts that focus point. But off course reflections can be the cause, at least for me. It probably as good as we can go at this price point, but definitely do not expect flawless photos. As... » Read More I am using this lens primarily for sports - synchronized swimming. So far only outdoors (wish you would ask it a few months out -the indoor meet is coming up then). It is a beautiful lens for landscaping or nature shots, but so far i cannot say i am 100% satisfied with it for sports. Based on what i see, i can imagine it might be problematic with low-light conditions and sports as even outdoors it still hunts that focus point. But off course reflections can be the cause, at least for me. It probably as good as we can go at this price point, but definitely do not expect flawless photos. As to comparing it against Tamron - sorry, no experience there. « Show Less
1770836
I have not taken any macro photos with this lens. For me, it is basically a zoom telephoto lens and will not focus well on close-up items. When I have attempted to use it for close-ups, it continues to cycle and will not focus properly. As a telephoto zoom, it is great for sports photos and brings in long distance subjects clearly. I am sure there are other lenses that are better designed for macro use. John Craighill
542012
I think Tom's answer is the right think to do, I was photographing off road races the last week and as. A test bring my Oly epl 3 with two prime MD lenses a 50 and 200, using the same adapter and works surprisingly GOOD, if you try everything and doesn't work may be its defective! good Luck always here to help if you need.
1294151
I had problems steadying the camera and this lens. It worked great on a tripod but my application was taking pictures at high school football games and marching band competions. I ended up returning it and purchasing the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens. The image stabilization on the zoom lens made a big difference for me.
1044866
The camera is very good but I have never tried it with sports. I use it only for domestic photos. Regarding the lens pack I felt it was useful for me.
1877494
This lens would be great for baseball and basket ball, but may be a bit too zoom-y for wrestling. If you want someone more versatile about the same price you could get the 24-70mm
1742136
If you want sharper images and faster focusing, you might instead consider getting one of the Canon 70-200mm f/4L USM models. The difference in image quality can be quite a startling. Back (WAY back) when I was looking to upgrade my old telephoto lens, someone gave me excellent advice that the difference between the newer telephotos I was considering was relatively small - too small to agonize over - and that if I really wanted to upgrade, I should just bite the bullet and get the L. One of the best pieces of advice on equipment I ever got. Once I tried the L, I never looked back. The one drawback is that the lens will spoil you forever.
138092
Hello Hugh, It focuses super fast, zooms from wide-angle to super-telephoto, and gets close enough for macro shots. However, this is not a replacement for macro lens. Suggestions for Canon macro lens - Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS or Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L. If you looking for cheaper options - Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM or Canon EF 50mm f/2.5.
224454
this camera is GREAT for any and everything!! i've taken some great sports pictures with the lens it came with, but i'm sure it would be even better with a special lens. also, it really depends on the amount of light; if there's lots of light, no problem!! it's trickier the less light there is. the camera is amazing. i couldn't be happier with it in any way!! good luck!!
537012
Thanks a million, Tech.I cut teeth on a Pentax K1000. My zoom lens went up to 200/250mm. When I needed a long range I used what would be similar to an Opteka 500mm telephoto cannon lens. If you have a steady hand and can pan well you can get action shots with it. I have some amazing Air Force Thunderbird and Navy Blue Angels shots (when they visited Chas. Air Force base back in the day).I was hoping a teleconverter would get me close to this strength of magnification while keeping AF. An Opteka 500mm MF might be a cheap solution to getting to power I need. I'm just not sure if, with the megapixels the Canon can pump, the shots would be acceptable.Thanks for your time.Peace Thanks a million, Tech.I cut teeth on a Pentax K1000. My zoom lens went up to 200/250mm. When I needed a long range I used what would be similar to an Opteka 500mm telephoto cannon lens. If you have a steady hand and can pan well you can get action shots with it. I have some amazing Air Force Thunderbird and Navy Blue Angels shots (when they visited Chas. Air Force base back in the day).I was hoping a teleconverter would get me close to this strength of magnification while keeping AF. An Opteka 500mm MF might be a cheap solution to getting to power I need. I'm just... » Read More Thanks a million, Tech.I cut teeth on a Pentax K1000. My zoom lens went up to 200/250mm. When I needed a long range I used what would be similar to an Opteka 500mm telephoto cannon lens. If you have a steady hand and can pan well you can get action shots with it. I have some amazing Air Force Thunderbird and Navy Blue Angels shots (when they visited Chas. Air Force base back in the day).I was hoping a teleconverter would get me close to this strength of magnification while keeping AF. An Opteka 500mm MF might be a cheap solution to getting to power I need. I'm just not sure if, with the megapixels the Canon can pump, the shots would be acceptable.Thanks for your time.Peace « Show Less
1611418
I haven't had any problems shooting at 200mm without the IS. Including pretty good shots of breaching whales in hawaii from a distance. Definitely worth the price.
2058093
I am using this lens primarily for sports - synchronized swimming. So far only outdoors (wish you would ask it a few months out -the indoor meet is coming up then). It is a beautiful lens for landscaping or nature shots, but so far i cannot say i am 100% satisfied with it for sports. Based on what i see, i can imagine it might be problematic with low-light conditions and sports as even outdoors it still hunts that focus point. But off course reflections can be the cause, at least for me. It probably as good as we can go at this price point, but definitely do not expect flawless photos. As to comparing it against Tamron - sorry, no experience there.
1089498
I have used this camera for shooting my little brother's basketball games. It has done the job pretty well. It has the shutter speed to take clear, crisp pictures, even during quick basketball games. The camera also has a sports setting designed to shoot multiple successive pictures while holding your finger down. All-in-all, it's done the job for me nicely. That being said, I have not used a telephoto lens yet because I haven't been that far away from the action. It's my next goal. Hope this helped a little bit!