Take pictures at soccer field

[aoisora]

Hello,

Since I don't know much about DSLR yet, but would like to know what len is good to take picture during a soccer match? I currently have a Canon Rebel XS DSLR but with 18-55mm len only.

The reason I ask is I'm going to join a soccer team at next summer, but would like to help the team to take the pictures during the game. It means there's many fast moving objects.

Any len you guys recommend?

Thanks.

[kiz5]

Soccer and field sports (football, rugby, etc.) are the most expensive ones out there to shoot. The widest I actually can live with shooting soccer, is 200mm. And that focal length, is only when they're basically right in front of you.

While I know you're not after the best of shots, enjoy the game, rather than trying to capture the action.

[adblink182]

I used my 70-200mm + 1.4x and it was pretty decent.

[aoisora]

Soccer and field sports (football, rugby, etc.) are the most expensive ones out there to shoot. The widest I actually can live with shooting soccer, is 200mm. And that focal length, is only when they're basically right in front of you.

While I know you're not after the best of shots, enjoy the game, rather than trying to capture the action.

How about the EF 75-300mm len? I know this one is not an IS len, but will it make a better result?

[Kasakato]

IS wont help stop motion. You need a fast shutter speed.

[frogger]

Not familiar with the camera's functionality.. but a consumer level lens should be adequate if it has catch/trap focus capability and you keep it focused on one area then let it automatically snap away when players come into focus in that area. You can let it do its thing even while you are playing. Just boost the ISO to 800 or 1600 and put it on a tripod. Hopefully you'll get some keepers and can crop others to suit.

[Vascilli]

How about the EF 75-300mm len? I know this one is not an IS len, but will it make a better result?

Avoid that lens like the plague. It's terrible. (I hate mine..) Instead, get either the Canon 70-200 f/4L or 70-300mm IS. Both are great for sports.

[bob0]

Avoid that lens like the plague. It's terrible. (I hate mine..) Instead, get either the Canon 70-200 f/4L or 70-300mm IS. Both are great for sports.

agreed, the 70-300 IS while older, is a much better lens. however it probably wont be good for soccer as the AF is a little slow and i believe it was like f5.6 at 300. but for about the same price you can get the 70-200 f4. while you do lose out on the focal range. you do get a stop and faster AF.

so i'd go for the 70-200. and since you're on the team you can probably get pretty close to the playing field so you might not need as much reach

[aoisora]

agreed, the 70-300 IS while older, is a much better lens. however it probably wont be good for soccer as the AF is a little slow and i believe it was like f5.6 at 300. but for about the same price you can get the 70-200 f4. while you do lose out on the focal range. you do get a stop and faster AF.

so i'd go for the 70-200. and since you're on the team you can probably get pretty close to the playing field so you might not need as much reach

Yeah, actually it's for my team and I can just stand beside the white line and shoot some photos. How much would be around for the 70-200 f4?

[KorruptioN]

Lens *

[bob0]

Yeah, actually it's for my team and I can just stand beside the white line and shoot some photos. How much would be around for the 70-200 f4?

i see a couple on craigslist going for 525 and 700 but i would lean more towards the 525 side.

[aoisora]

i see a couple on craigslist going for 525 and 700 but i would lean more towards the 525 side.

How do you identify if the second hand len is in good condition or how many have been used? I heard that if the len has been taken many times, and it will not generate a good result.

[Kasakato]

How do you identify if the second hand len is in good condition or how many have been used? I heard that if the len has been taken many times, and it will not generate a good result.

Lens *

When checking a used lens, I look at:
-CPU contacts are clean
-Mounting ring is not damaged
-Filter threads are not damaged, test screw a filter
-Front element is clean
-Rear element is clean
-Shine light on aperture blades, check for oil
-Take a few test shots, check sharpness

[bob0]

How do you identify if the second hand len is in good condition or how many have been used? I heard that if the len has been taken many times, and it will not generate a good result.

well yes and no... a lens can fall out of calibration after awhile and of course the moving parts can wear out...but that equates to a lot of use, a lot.

in anycase here are some things to check
- physical appearance, scratches/marks on the glass, shine a light through the lens and look for cloudyness and dust, any dents/scratches/etc on the lens itself, etc... this will give you an idea of how well it was maintained.

- ask the seller for the date code and research to see if there were any common issues with that production run

-mount the lens on your camera, and close the aperture to the smallest and press the DOF button and check the blades. make sure the movement is smooth and the blades look good. ie no oil on them

- test the AF make sure it's running smootly and not making any noises

- test the zoom if it has it, make sure its smooth

- test MF and make sure it's smooth

- test IS/VR if it has it

- shoot test shots at both ends of the zoom range and the middle at wide open aperture and stopped down to f8-f11 for sharpness. check the images for sharpness, vignetting, back focusing

- shoot at smallest aperture and check for dust


that's about all i do to check a lens. if you do find some minor issues... you can always try to knock down the price and then take it in for a cleaning/calibration.