topic Zoom lens recommendations for soccer and hockey for EOS Rebel T6 in EF & RF Lenses

Zoom lens recommendations for soccer and hockey for EOS Rebel T6

srengdahl — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 15:56:37 GMT

I am looking for recommendations on a new lens for my Canon Rebel T6. I use the camera primarily for sports so I would like something with strong zoom for the hockey rink or soccer field. Any help is appreciated!

Re: Zoom lens recommendations for soccer and hockey for EOS Rebel T6

kvbarkley — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 17:52:35 GMT

What lenses do you have now?

What is your budget?

The Canon EF70-300 II is good.

If you need more reach, you can look at the Sigma/Tamron 150-600 lenses.

If you are doing this at night, or with limited light, and budget is no object, you can look at the Canon 100-400.

Re: Zoom lens recommendations for soccer and hockey for EOS Rebel T6

Tronhard — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 18:41:22 GMT

As my colleague Keith alluded to, it's hard to make practical suggestions if we don't know what you can afford. Since the action can get really distant in those environments, I would suggest either:
Canon EF 100-400L f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM - not cheap, but brilliant
Sigma 100-400mm F/5-6.3 DG OS HSM contemporary lens with Canon mount
Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary.

When you say hockey rink, may I assume you mean ice-hockey. In my part of the planet we also play a lot of field hockey in daylight, which is quite different lighting conditions.

Re: Zoom lens recommendations for soccer and hockey for EOS Rebel T6

srengdahl — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 19:30:14 GMT

I currently have Canon EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 III.
I would like to keep the price under $1000 if possible.

Re: Zoom lens recommendations for soccer and hockey for EOS Rebel T6

kvbarkley — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 19:47:35 GMT

Why do you want to replace the 75-300?

Re: Zoom lens recommendations for soccer and hockey for EOS Rebel T6

srengdahl — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 20:16:45 GMT

To get additional zoom to get closer to the athletes from the stands.

Re: Zoom lens recommendations for soccer and hockey for EOS Rebel T6

kvbarkley — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 21:30:34 GMT

Then the 150-600 is what you want. You can rent it from LensRentals to see if it does what you want, and if you like the one you get, you can buy that one from them.

Re: Zoom lens recommendations for soccer and hockey for EOS Rebel T6

Tintype_18 — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 22:58:26 GMT

I have a Sigma 150-600mm lens. However, it is very heavy to hold, needing a tripod or monopod. I have a Canon 75-300mm lens that I use for baseball games.

Re: Zoom lens recommendations for soccer and hockey for EOS Rebel T6

Tronhard — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 01:31:37 GMT

The ability to hand-hold a camera is down to our physical state - age, fitness, etc. I'm almost 72 and still hand-hold heavy glass and bodies, but I train for it. My point is ability to hold the gear is a very personal thing.

Re: Zoom lens recommendations for soccer and hockey for EOS Rebel T6

ebiggs1 — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 17:34:35 GMT

"I'm almost 72 and still hand-hold heavy glass and bodies, ..."

I am 5 years your senior and I still hand hold my big Siggy S 150-600mm on a IDX body. Now I know some folks have physical limitations and that is OK but for the average person hand holding one of the super zooms is entirely possible. Maybe avoid the S model but certainly possible with the C model.

Which makes the second part of Trevor's post paramount, "... but I train for it." If this is indeed not possible perhaps you need to select a different hobby. It's just part of being a photographer.

Another point I would consider if buying one of the super zooms today, I would get the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. It's just a better lens.