IS is essential and indispensable. I would suggest the 70-200 f/4 IS but it's $1k.


I'd say the 70-200 f/4L would cover outdoor sports (among other things) for $600 and the 85 f/1.8 would cover indoor sports (among other things). That's a solid combo for about $900 total.


Don't expect to get a quality indoor/outdoor sports package for $500. For indoor sports an aperture of at least f/2.8 is required. f/2 is great. But unless you can pay $5000 for the 200 f/2L you can't cover both uses with one lens.


Idea #2: Look at the 200 f/2.8 prime. It won't give you the versatility of the 70-200 f/4 zoom but it will give you that extra stop of light.


brendan