Zoom lens recommendation for Canon Rebel T2i

The Canon 55-250mm would be a good lens.  They are less than $100 (USD) used.  There are better lenses, but they are more expensive.

I couldn't easily find a soccer sample picture taken with my Canon T2i (550D) camera and the Canon 55-250mm lens (without spending a lot of time looking through old photos).  But I did find one people picture with some action with that camera and lens, just to give you an idea.  It was taken in Reno, Nevada over six years ago.  For this image I used 179mm focal length.

I'm thinking I will recommend the 55-250 f/4-5.6 IS STM to my nephew.

The 70-300mm F/ 4.0-5.6 IS II USM would certainly be step up from that, but with the larger zoom range using a full frame lens on an APS-C body I think he might need a monopod/tripod to photograph his kids playing soccer.

All that might overwhelm and hinder his wanting to take photos, coming from the simple use of an iPhone.

One thing I should mention is that the Canon 55-250mm lens is very lightweight and easy to handle.  I also use a Tamron 150-600mm lens.  At yesterday's air show I took pictures with both lenses; the smaller lens (although less powerful in terms of focal length) was so much easier to compose images of fast moving airplanes.

When I have taken pictures at soccer games, I take the easy route.   I wait for the players to come to me, rather than chase them all over the field.  Staying by the goal is also a good place to be.  For my style of picture-taking I'll keep the focal length short and stop down the lens, so all the players are in focus.  We can capture some very intense expressions when they come close to us.

RKwasi wrote:

My nephew has a Canon EOS Rebel T2i he got from his in-laws about 8 years ago. Being a millennial, he always took photos of his kids with his iPhone rather than the Canon.

Now that the kids are playing soccer he wants a lens with more reach than the 18-55mm kit lens.

Soccer during the day or under lights at night?

Recommendations?

He doesn't want to spend a whole lot. Used, refurbished, new are all options.

Plus I'm a Nikon user so Canon gear isn't something I follow.

THANKS