Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS Rebel T3i

[connor_y123]

Hey everyone! I’m a 17-year-old amateur photographer currently shooting on a Canon EOS Rebel T3i, and I’m looking for advice on a good telephoto lens upgrade. I’ve been saving money from working a summer job for the past year, and I only have around $700 total to spend.

I mainly shoot:

• Sports
• Events

Right now I’m trying to find something with:

• Good zoom range
• Sharp image quality
• Decent autofocus

Since I’m an amateur and don’t have unlimited money, I’d really appreciate any recommendations.

Thanks so much!

[LeeP]

"It might not have the reach of the 400 or 500mm range, but it's well within your budget."

A person should stay within their budget. If the lens is within your budget, it's the "right" lens.

Not everyone has unlimited resources to keep up with the cameras as jewelry crowd.

[Waddizzle]

“ You post is pretty vague. However, if you intend on shooting any outdoor sports I.E. soccer, football, baseball, track, etc., 200mm FL isn't going to be enough.  It does depend on what you are satisfied with since it may not be what I would consider to be good and OK.”

A 70-200mm on a crop sensor would be equivalent to a 116-360mm, which worked great on my 7D2.  However, I was shooting from the sidelines, not the stands.

[LeeP]

^^THIS^^

[connor_y123]

I'm primarily a swimming photographer.

[connor_y123]

I'm trying to get into concert photography and currently do some sports photography

[stevet1]

Connor_y123,

I was lucky enough to have been gifted a Canon 18-135mm f/3.5 -5.6 IS USM lens a while back.

It stays on my T8i camera maybe 90-95% of the time. It's a sharp, well rounded lens that can be used in a variety of situations. It has image stabilization and sells for about $600 now.

It's an EF-S lens, which means it was made for crop sensor cameras like your T3i or my T8i.

Steve Thomas

[Waddizzle]

“ I'm primarily a swimming photographer.“

Reset. What lenses do you currently own?  From where, what shooting location, do you use for swimming?

[ebiggs1]

"Not everyone has unlimited resources to keep up with the cameras as jewelry crowd."

Even more of a reason to not buy solely on," If the lens is within your budget, it's the "right" lens." 

You could buy a 50mm f1.8 which is within almost everybody's budget but if shooting the Moon is your goal no matter how "within the budget" it is, it is a total waste of limited money supply. 

[ebiggs1]

"A 70-200mm on a crop sensor would be equivalent to a 116-360mm,..."

Well I certainly have no objection to anyone buying a 70-200mm and it might do a reasonable job with football and/or soccer, etc., and if swimming is the op's goal it should work well. I did swim meets about 50😁 years ago and that is what I used. Actually a Vivitar 70-210mm F/4.5.