August.M.Norman Loc: Rosholt, Wisconsin

I'm trying to decide what lens would be best for doing some winter sports photography for a few local ski/snowboard teams with a budget of $300. A prime lens is much sharper and faster and I figured that it would be nice to have the extra speed for shooting moving things. the problem is that my T3i is a crop sensor camera so I have to figure for the 1.6 extension of the focal length. Anyone have some advice on which lens to buy?

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

First off you don't need a "Faster" lens for snow photography becasue you will always have plenty of light to work with. Basically there will be three different shots, the ultra wide shot, so something like to Nikon 10.5 f-2.8 for wide fisheye type close stuff and then the mid shots so something like the 12-24 range for semi-wide and then the long shots so something like the 70-300 range.

With your budget the first two are out of the question due to price. So you need to decide what you can live with or what you intend to shoot most of and buy lenses towards that rnage or one good lens with that zoom range.

I have a Nikkor ED 70-300 f4-5.6 D zoom lens for sale because I just bought a new Nikon 28-300 zoom at just over a $1,000 but it is an excellent lens. So now I have to get rid of some lenses. I was looking to get $145 for the 70-300 in case you are interested. My other two lenses will be too expensive for your budget.

Basically get one longer tele lens and then one wide angle zoom. That should cover all your needs. You only need a fast lens if you are shooting in low light situations. And if you shoot ski shots at night you'll be using a flash anyway, so again a fast lens will not be needed.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Ohh I just realized, I don't think you have a Nikon camera anyway, so forget about my lenses.

dasloaf

In your price range would be an 85mmf1.8 but you would have to get close. You can save up and get a 70-200mmf2.8. they range in price from 700-1200 for a tamron, sigma, canon. Or go to lens giant and rent one for a few days. Photography is like every hobby, it isn't cheap!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Something else to consider is the Hero GoPro - the small, wearable camera. http://gopro.com/products/?gclid=COarxM_N77ECFUff4AodbwEAMw

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

He was asking about lenses for his digital still camera, not a video camera.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Jerry, it's nice to have someone around with enough intelligence and common sense to "think outside the box" and offer a completely different alternative.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

"Thinking Outside the Box" is my middle name.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

I own the Hero2 and it is a great camera but will cost him over $300 with shipping, and only give super wide angle and a somewhat narrower focal length and that's all.

If it was video he was considering then there are other good wide angle HD video cameras out there that are cheaper than the GoPro.

I'm all for thinking outside the box however, suggesting a video camera, when someone states what still camera he has and is asking about what lenses to purchase with a $300 budget, is not really thinking outside the box. It is more like suggesting a metal lunch box, when someone is asking whether they should go for paper or plastic at the grocery store.

All meant in a nice way Jerry.