Lens Recomendation For 300D (telephoto zoom)

[Mekong]

I really want a 70-200 f4 L series lens but its just not in my price range.

I am looking for somthing that would be good for both my 300D and my 35mm canon rebel.

I am looking at these:

55-200 USM
75-300 USM (not sure if IS is worth it, I heard it just makes things blurry most of the time)
and possibly the sigma 70-300 lenses

I am not looking for a reef tank photography lens, I am looking for somthing more versitile.

[bamann345]

I like the IS lenses for shooting by hand..... if you use a monopod or a tripod you dont need an IS lense.

Also remember, with the 300D you have a 1.6x factor too....so, the lenses will be longer, but with the film rebel, it wont.


HTH

[Navyblue]

It seems that the pricey IS version of the 75-300 is optically the same as its much cheaper brethren, which is not that impressive.

Heard that the DO IS version is nice, cost a bomb of course.

I used a Sigma 70-300 macro DL and like it, I don't want to repeat my rant for the third time this week to bore everyone again (have done twice already). They are found in the recent thread if you care to read them.

[Mekong]

I heard that all of these lenses appear soft at the max zoom, is this true and is it noticeable enough to be annoying? From a professianl perspective I could see yes, but I am not looking for somthing like that cause of $$

I am really trying to find out if I should set my sites on getting a sub $300 zoom or save up for the $500+ canon 70-200 f4 L

I have a tamron 80-300 zoom for my pentax 35mm and its garbage, HORRIBLY slow AF and the pictures are soft and fuzzy from 200-300mm even when stopped down past f8

[Navyblue]

That's what I've heard about the Canons too, soft at 300 mm and wide open. In this aspect my Sigma 70-300 appears to be better.

[Mekong]

How is the AF on the sigma 70-300? I noticed it doesnt have any for of HSM/USM

Fast AF is a must...

Has anyone used the IS version of the canon 75-300?

[Navyblue]

AF is just ok, not very fast but not very slow either, but hunts in low light (is this camera's fault or the lens'?)

[Navyblue]

I'd suggest you to go down to the store and test them out and bring the images home and see which of them you like.

[chiapet]

I have to say that the Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS by far the best lens I own! If there is any way you can swing the cash....do it.

I also have a Canon 100-400 f4L IS, but use the 70-200 much more.

[Mekong]

Please read the whole post...

The first thing I said was that even the 70-200 f4 was way out of my price range... So that would lead most to belive that there was no way in hell I could afford a 1000$+ lens. Sure it may be great but that goes with out asking...

So please no one suggest a lens over 350 please cause its just clogging the message.

I am inbetween to much more affordable lenses, the sigma 70-300, which seems to have better macro and glass, or the canon 75-300 which seems to have better AF. So I guess I am leaning towards the sigma. I am gonna go try em both out this weekend.

[chiapet]

Originally posted by Mekong
Please read the whole post...

The first thing I said was that even the 70-200 f4 was way out of my price range... So that would lead most to belive that there was no way in hell I could afford a 1000$+ lens. Sure it may be great but that goes with out asking...

So please no one suggest a lens over 350 please cause its just clogging the message.

I am inbetween to much more affordable lenses, the sigma 70-300, which seems to have better macro and glass, or the canon 75-300 which seems to have better AF. So I guess I am leaning towards the sigma. I am gonna go try em both out this weekend.

I also have the Canon 75-300 & it takes nice pictures...collects dust now...but takes nice pictures. At some point you have to make a decision....cost or quality. It is rare that you will get both at the same time. Canon's EF series lenses are very good. If cost is your driver, go with Sigma or Tamron. If you want quality...you know the rest.

[Mekong]

looks like the sigma 70-300 APO is gonna be my choice, looks like not that bad of a lens for reef photos as well...