If you’re a sports photographer, your stock lens just won’t do. You need the best lens for sports photography and a Canon prime lens is what you should be saving up for. As a sports photographer, your aim is to capture the action up close from a distance. You need a telephoto lens to do this and Canon has several out in the market. These lenses not only expand your zooming capabilities but also capture pictures in perfect detail (which are otherwise lost in larger views of other lenses).
The thing with these telephoto lenses is that they can be expensive. Another consideration is the bulk that they carry. That’s why you need to know which ones to invest on. Read below on our review of these lenses.
Canon EFS 55-250mm f4/5.6 IS
This is Canon’s affordable telephoto lens but it’s not compatible with full-frame bodies (fits only on cropped bodies). It has an extended maximum coverage of 400mm but, due to its low price, does not have USM focusing but has Image Stabilization. The EFS 55-250mm is still a decent telephoto lens for beginners.
Canon EF 75-300mm f4/5.6 III
The EF 75-300 is Canon’s cheapest telephoto lens. It can fit in both cropped and full-frame bodies too. Its extended maximum coverage is 480mm but doesn’t have Image Stabilization capabilities. Another good lens for beginners.
Canon EF 70-300mm f4/5.6 IS USM
This is the high-end version of the above featured lens. It can also fit in both cropped and full frame bodies and has the same coverage. The only difference (aside from the more expensive price) is the USM focusing and Image stabilization capabilities.
Canon EF 70-200mm f4L IS USM
This lens produces superb quality pictures and is considered one of the more quality lenses from Canon. It does not have the same range as the 70-300mm but it more than makes up for it with the clarity it produces. It actually has a lower aperture (to allow more light) with USM focusing and Image stabilization.
Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II USM
This lens can be considered as the upgrade of the lens above. It’s a favorite of professionals because it can provide them with the shots they desire. What sets this lens apart is its constant 2.8 aperture, which is a bigger aperture than the f4 (the lower the number the bigger the aperture). This means it can get clearer shots because the lens can get more light in.
Canon EF 70-300mm f4/5.6L IS USM
This lens is the shorter version of the EF 70-300 line (albeit fatter and bulkier). It has USM focusing, Image Stabilization, full time manual focusing and great optical quality. The aperture might be smaller but it zooms 50% more.
Canon EF 200mm f2.8L II USM
This lens is more affordable than the 70-200m f2.8 lens because it’s fixed at 200m. If you’re always zooming in then this lens might just be more practical. It has the same specs as the above but cheaper.
Canon EF 300mm f4L IS USM
This lens has the same maximum coverage as most telephoto lenses, but aperture allows exposures that are twice as fast. This is a great option for capturing sports shots in mid-range. This lens also has USM focusing and Image Stabilization.
It can really get daunting when choosing the right telephoto lens for you. So read up on the reviews and check out the specs before heading to the store. The best lens for sports photography is the lens that satisfies your need in capturing sporting events.