compact zoom lens

Hello All,  I am in the market for a compact zoom lens to be mainly used on my SL1.  My main use will be for in a arena to capture some shots, Monster Jam, Hockey and maybe some other well let events.  My problem is the venue only allows cameras with a lens length of less than 3 inches. l would like a little more reach than my 18-55 and my other lens are to long. I'm leaning towards the sigma 18-250 not sure how this image quality is on this lens.  My other option is to use my 60 macro and do some cropping. Any suggestions would be great.

Jim

I did some hockey shots when I started using digital cameras. The problem of these long lens is that they are slow at the long end (not too bad at the short end). Taking some action shots at f6.3 is difficult. Even at f5.6 it is. Also, and I own the sigma 18-200 f3.5, is that at the long end, mine has a tendency of "chasing the subject", meaning long to focus (and lots of missed shots if your subject moves).

I haven't read the reviews on the 18-250 however but I know my 18-200 would have a hard time taking fast shots.

On the other hand, if you are limited to three inches (bizarre rule if you ask me), then I guess you may have to settle for something like that. Too bad the Canon 70-200 f2.8 is longer than that because it would have made a great lens for you.

Maybe someone else with think of another lens for you because I don't know all of them (far from there).

Jimsip wrote:

Hello All, I am in the market for a compact zoom lens to be mainly used on my SL1. My main use will be for in a arena to capture some shots, Monster Jam, Hockey and maybe some other well let events. My problem is the venue only allows cameras with a lens length of less than 3 inches. l would like a little more reach than my 18-55 and my other lens are to long. I'm leaning towards the sigma 18-250 not sure how this image quality is on this lens. My other option is to use my 60 macro and do some cropping. Any suggestions would be great.

Jim

Hi Jim,

IMHO the 60 Macro wouldn't work very well as a sports lens (even if the focal length was appropriate).   The racking in and out at full travel would cause many missed shots.

It's too bad that the 70-300 DO is just 1/4 inch too long!  That would give you much more reach.  That Sigma is indeed a possibility, but I don't have any personal experience with that one.

OTOH the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 comes in at just under 3 inches (without any filter).  The AF is miles faster than my 60 Macro.  I've shot lots and lots of indoor sports with it (just don't shoot into any light sources).  It's too short for any distant stuff of course, so you'd need to crop substantially, but it's a great lens.

Good luck with your search!

R2

Jimsip wrote:

Hello All, I am in the market for a compact zoom lens to be mainly used on my SL1. My main use will be for in a arena to capture some shots, Monster Jam, Hockey and maybe some other well let events. My problem is the venue only allows cameras with a lens length of less than 3 inches. l would like a little more reach than my 18-55 and my other lens are to long. I'm leaning towards the sigma 18-250 not sure how this image quality is on this lens.

Sigma 18-250 is 3.5" long

very similar to the EF 85 f/1.8 USM, the EF 100 f/2 USM is also just under 3".

Lemming51 wrote:

Jimsip wrote:

Hello All, I am in the market for a compact zoom lens to be mainly used on my SL1. My main use will be for in a arena to capture some shots, Monster Jam, Hockey and maybe some other well let events. My problem is the venue only allows cameras with a lens length of less than 3 inches. l would like a little more reach than my 18-55 and my other lens are to long. I'm leaning towards the sigma 18-250 not sure how this image quality is on this lens.

Sigma 18-250 is 3.5" long

very similar to the EF 85 f/1.8 USM, the EF 100 f/2 USM is also just under 3".

Even the 18-200 is too long: four inches long. If the 3 inches rule is strictly enforced (I really wonder why!!!), then your choice is very limited. I have an old Canon 28-105 USM f3.5-f4.5 and this one is flush at three inches (it works quite well too).

Lemming51 wrote:

Jimsip wrote:

Hello All, I am in the market for a compact zoom lens to be mainly used on my SL1. My main use will be for in a arena to capture some shots, Monster Jam, Hockey and maybe some other well let events. My problem is the venue only allows cameras with a lens length of less than 3 inches. l would like a little more reach than my 18-55 and my other lens are to long. I'm leaning towards the sigma 18-250 not sure how this image quality is on this lens.

Sigma 18-250 is 3.5" long

very similar to the EF 85 f/1.8 USM, the EF 100 f/2 USM is also just under 3".

That's even better!  With less CA to boot.

R2

Jimsip wrote:

RedFox88 wrote:

Why not buy a superzoom p&s with a much longer zoom for probably less than a new lens?

LOL I never thought of that.

Probably because you’d be shooting action with a slow lens and a tiny sensor at very high ISO’s, indoors.  Not a great recipe for the best IQ (depends on what your output requirements are though).

In these situations I’d much rather be shooting with a DSLR (or similar mirrorless), than a P&S.

R2