im honestly so fed up with this kit lens that came with my T7. i went to my nephews soccer game yesterday and literally every single shot is just a tiny blur in the middle of a field. its like i bought this fancy camera and it cant even zoom in more than my iphone and i feel like such a fool standing there on the sidelines trying to get a decent action shot but the 18-55mm just isnt doing anything at all. i actually missed the winning goal he scored because i was trying to run closer to the sidelines to get a better view and i almost tripped over a cooler and got yelled at by the ref for being too close to the line. it was so embarrassing.
i need something with actual reach but i dont have a ton of money to drop right now since i just had to pay for some unexpected car repairs last week which totally drained my savings. im looking at that canon 75-300mm because its super cheap on amazon but then i started reading reviews online and everyone says its basically garbage and a waste of money so now im just confused and annoyed. is it really that bad or are people just being gear snobs? i have another game coming up next saturday here in ohio and i really want to actually see his face in the photos this time instead of just a little green and white blob in the distance.
my budget is super tight like 200 or 250 max and i need to order something by tuesday at the latest to make sure it gets here in time for the weekend. i saw someone mention the 55-250mm stm version is better but i cant tell if it will fit my t7 or if i need an adapter or something? i just want something that works and wont make me look like an idiot next weekend. does anyone know which one is actually worth the money for a beginner who is broke or should i just give up on the soccer photos entirely? it feels like every time i try to upgrade this thing i just get more frustrated with how expensive lenses are...
In my experience, the internet isnt just being snobby about that 75-300mm—it really is that bad for sports. Ive tried many budget lenses over the years, and if youre shooting soccer with a T7, you 100% want the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM. It fits your camera perfectly with no adapter needed because your Rebel uses EF-S lenses natively. Heres the deal based on what Ive used:
- Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM: This is the gold standard for budget telephoto. The STM motor is silent and focuses way faster than the kit lenses, which is huge for action. Plus, the Image Stabilization actually works for handheld shots when youre zoomed in.
- Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III: Honestly, skip this one. It has no stabilization, so unless youre shooting on a tripod in bright sun, your shots will still be blurry. The image quality gets really mushy at the long end too.
- Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II: This is the older version. Its better than the 75-300mm, but the focus is much slower and louder than the STM version. Basically, if you want to see his face and not a green blob, get the STM. Its worth every penny over the cheap one. Itll get you those clear shots without needing to stand on the actual field and get yelled at by the ref again... check used sites if the new price is too high right now. Just make sure it specifically says STM on the ring.
