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Chat GPT is steering you wrong, not surprising since these are just large language models that scrape the web and have the ability of a not so bright pre-teen in discarding bad/false information.
The 70-200 f2.8 is the most frequently used sports lens in the world because of its versatility, fast focusing, and ability to work well in low light. I have a lot of Canon lenses and I shoot sports using at least two camera bodies and lenses at every event; one of those bodies will have an EF 70-200 f2.8 and depending upon the event, 60 to 90 percent of the images captured will be with that body/lens combo. It is a GREAT sports lens.
The only downside to the 70-200 f2.8 for you is for field sports like football, it may be a little short at times but with the Rebel and its APS-C size sensor 200 mm on it provides an equivalent field of view to 320 mm on a full frame camera. For many years, I shot a lot of football and soccer with a Canon 300 f2.8 on one body and it did a great job (I do shoot from the sidelines so your distance from the field is a BIG consideration).
The 70-200 f2.8 is not "too powerful" (i.e. too long of a focal length) for most sports situations. Unless you are only a couple of feet from the action, it will be fine in terms of field of view at the 70mm end. And you definitely do NOT want the f4 or slower lenses with your Rebel XS when you get into low light situations because not only will it increase image noise, a narrower maximum aperture lens will also slow down the AF system. Even with my Canon 1DX III bodies which do exceptionally well in low light, I switch from the excellent Canon EF 200-400 f4 to a 400mm f2.8 prime for most night events. The EF 70-200 f2.8 is a versatile and highly capable sports workhorse whether you are shooting football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, or pretty much any sport indoors or out, day or night! Images below were all captured with a Canon 1DX III and EF 70-200 f2.8, the highly reliable Canon gear made it easy to do 🙂
Rodger
Chat GPT is steering you wrong, not surprising since these are just large language models that scrape the web and have the ability of a not so bright pre-teen in discarding bad/false information.
The 70-200 f2.8 is the most frequently used sports lens in the world because of its versatility, fast focusing, and ability to work well in low light. I have a lot of Canon lenses and I shoot sports using at least two camera bodies and lenses at every event; one of those bodies will have an EF 70-200 f2.8 and depending upon the event, 60 to 90 percent of the images captured will be with that body/lens combo. It is a GREAT sports lens.
The only downside to the 70-200 f2.8 for you is for field sports like football, it may be a little short at times but with the Rebel and its APS-C size sensor 200 mm on it provides an equivalent field of view to 320 mm on a full frame camera. For many years, I shot a lot of football and soccer with a Canon 300 f2.8 on one body and it did a great job (I do shoot from the sidelines so your distance from the field is a BIG consideration).
The 70-200 f2.8 is not "too powerful" (i.e. too long of a focal length) for most sports situations. Unless you are only a couple of feet from the action, it will be fine in terms of field of view at the 70mm end. And you definitely do NOT want the f4 or slower lenses with your Rebel XS when you get into low light situations because not only will it increase image noise, a narrower maximum aperture lens will also slow down the AF system. Even with my Canon 1DX III bodies which do exceptionally well in low light, I switch from the excellent Canon EF 200-400 f4 to a 400mm f2.8 prime for most night events. The EF 70-200 f2.8 is a versatile and highly capable sports workhorse whether you are shooting football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, or pretty much any sport indoors or out, day or night! Images below were all captured with a Canon 1DX III and EF 70-200 f2.8, the highly reliable Canon gear made it easy to do 🙂
Rodger
