need help deciding what lens to get

[cliff]

I was deciding between getting a minolta z3 or a digital rebel (because of budget), but have decided to go w/ the DSLR, and I was wondering which lenses i should get? I will be doing soccer, basketball (indoor), swim (indoor), tennis, volleyball (indoor), baseball, and track...basically all the sports @ school. I'm a senior in high school, and I want to just do everything, since I have a lot of time. In light of the fact that i want to do so many different sports, I was thinking that I should be getting at least two different lenses and a flash. I have been looking at lenses a bit, but I have no clue about flashes, so I was wondering if anyone could advise me on all of my equipment i should be getting. (i have been using a minolta z1 before, but i dropped it...yah...but than its been good, it made me get away from the P&S, and invest in a good DSLR...my aspiration is to continue in college, so i want to get good this year )

[SunnySideUp]

What most people are going to ask you is how much are you willing to spend. But if money wasn't an object. then you want 70-200 f 2.8 lens. This is a great all around lens. The f2.8 will help with the indoor lighting and the 70-200 will get you into the action for the outdoor sports.

You will notice that I didn't state what company makes the lens. That is because your bugdet will decide what camera and what company you can afford. If you go with the rebel, canon makes a wonderful lens... for about $2000 new. But Sigma makes a lens that is many will say is better for the money spent, I believe it is 3/4 the cost. You can also find a used lens for 1/2 the cost. That is if you want to buy used.

Now another thought comes to mind depending on how much you are shooting and where you live. This coming weekend I am renting about $5000 worth of lens for about $125. You cant beat that deal. If you are shooting twice a month, you can rent the lens for about $600 - $1200 a year, that is $25 per lens a day or in my case the weekend. You are getting top of the line lens and not having to pay an arm and a leg. Then you can also play around with different lens until you find the right lens for you.

Enjoy
Shane

[cliff]

thanks...i was thinking of getting the 70-200 f/4...do you think it would work well in a gym? that because, it's like half the price of hte 70-200 f/2.8 IS. my other thoughts were on the 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, or a 75-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM. does anyone know what the pros & cons of these lens are? especially concerning sports photography. and what kind of flash? I was hoping to buy today, so could everyone comment please! i'm really excited! hehe. o yeah...how about flashes?