I have the canon rebel T5.

[Jenred]

I used it for my sons outdoor lacrosse. The pics

were not good. Football season is here. What is a lens that isn't that expensive to get decent photos?

[ebiggs1]

What you are asking is going to be difficult with the limit of "isn't that expensive to get decent photos".

Probably the best answer is the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Lens.  A better lens but a little shorter focal length would be the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens.  Then hope for good daylight !

I don't recommend AI-Servo for beginners.  Use just the center focus point for now and One Shot. I would put the T5 in Av mode and fix the lens wide open.  AF/MF switch in AF.  Set your ISO to 800.  Follow and track the player you want carefully.

This way the camera will gather all the light it can and give you the fastest SS possible.  This combo should work well for day time games.  For night time or evening games, it is going to be more of a challenge with low cost gear.  All cameras have a limit to what they can do.

[ebiggs1]

"it says zoom lens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II"

I have never shot lacrosse or even seen a game but I do a lot of football so maybe it is similar.  Your lens is too short in focal length.  If you could swing it, the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 SP Di VC USD for Canon would be perfect.  Still it is going to be a day light solution.  Use the same set-up as I stated before.

Perhaps the most important thing to consider it where you are shooting from.  This is the main most important thing.  It can determine whether you will be successful or not.  It is much more difficult to shoot from the stands or bleachers than field side.

[Waddizzle]

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@Jenred wrote:

i purchased the Rebel T5

EF-S 18-55 IS II

it says zoom lens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

Im just using the lens that came with the camera

---

Okay, that's what the folks around here need to know.  I would suggest going on line and taking a look at the lenses in Canon's Refurbished Store.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-s-55-250mm-f4-5-6-is-stm-telephoto-zoom-lens-refurbishe...

This lens has great image quality, and is a great deal at the current sale price.

[kvbarkley]

I think the 55-250 is going to be more in her league. She mentioned budget as a concern, so I think a $1000 lens is out of the question. But then one of the recent OP's was willing to buy an L lens to fit her teleconverter, so who knows?

[Jenred]

thank you! appreciate the info!

[Jenred]

thank you!!

[jrhoffman75]

55-250STM is very good value if purchased as a refurbished model. Essentially ½ price. 

[Jenred]

thank you!

[Jenred]

thank you and yes $1000 isdef  not something i can get right now. Hopefully in the future

[kvbarkley]

But please post some images so we can tell just what the problem is.