When buying a lens???

[pagebypaige]

When you are buying a lens do you usually purchase from a local store or buy online?? I have dRebel XT and I really don't care for the standard lens it came with. I'm thinking about the 50mm f/ 1/8 lens and possibly one other... I need a lens that will take shots when I'm sitting in the bleechers watching dd at gymnastics or watching a school program on stage (I have missed so many photo ops at these type of events because I'm too far away to get a good shot)...any suggestions on which lens would be good for this??? Anyway just wondering where the best places are to buy a good lens!
Thanks

[Lauren]

You'll need a longer telephoto for the event shots, something that starts around the 50-70mm range (so you don't have a big gap from your kit lens) and ends in the 200-300mm range. What's your budget?

I almost always buy online as my lenses are expensive and the savings are considerable compared to my overpriced local store. If I had a decently priced store though, I wouldn't have a problem buying from them. In the US, reputable online stores are B&H, Adorama and even Amazon often has good deals on Canon lenses.

[KirstyB]

I was gonna recommend B&H too...heard lots of good things about them!!

[GingerT]

I bought mine at a local store because the price wasn't much difference and I like the security of knowing if something went wrong, I could walk into the store for help / fix.

I bought the 75-300mm and I really like it. I think it would do the job for what you are looking for -- I hate my kit lens and never use it now except for when I need a wide angle lens because I only have the 50mm and 75-300

[Kim2002]

I usually buy from B&H or Adorama. I used to live in New York City and bought from B&H frequently. They have the best customer service, especially when you are there in person.....it's like the photo mecca. I just drool thinking about being there. LOL

Anyway, I think the 50mm 1.8 is not the right choice for your daughter's gymnastics and bleechers type stuff. That lens is meant for doing close-up photos like portraits, flowers, small insects, etc. A telephoto/zoom lens would be a better choice. The only thing to keep in mind, though, is that often times the zoom lenses have a limited f-stop range - often only 1 stop and often only around 4.5 to 5.6. So you may have to fiddle with your shutter speed to get adequate light. If you are able to move your location to close to the stage or the area where she is performing, that would really help too.