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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> which Tele lens is good for me?
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10/10/2006 06:14:30 PM · #1
Hi..
I'm planning to buy a telelens. Right now I've Canon 350 D, canon kit lens, canon 100 mm mancro and sigma 17-70.
Canon 350D has 1.6 crop factor..

I've theree lenses in mind.

1)Canon 70-300 IS
2)Sigma 100-300 F4
3) tamron 200 -500

I ve read photozone revies on them and it seems good.
But whats confusing is what exactly i want to shoot as I never had any telephoto lens before. I def want to try birding..but at the same time I want to use the lens for other kinds like candid (Cos people get conscious when go close with my non tele lens).

Please post your views or links related or previous posts.. anything would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

10/10/2006 06:24:56 PM · #2
Anything less than the 500 is going to be a little short for birding, but I don't have any experience with the tamron.
10/10/2006 06:29:25 PM · #3
You don't say what your budget is, but I'd toss two other options:

1. Canon 100-400 f4-5.6L (if you want the zoom)

2. Canon 400 f5.6L (if you'd like a prime)

Both are in the same rough ballpark (just north of $1000) and both have enough reach to be reasonable for birding/wildlife. There are many people on DPC who own one or the other so you can check out samples from us-folks.
10/10/2006 06:32:48 PM · #4
Originally posted by strangeghost:

You don't say what your budget is, but I'd toss two other options:

1. Canon 100-400 f4-5.6L (if you want the zoom)

2. Canon 400 f5.6L (if you'd like a prime)

Both are in the same rough ballpark (just north of $1000) and both have enough reach to be reasonable for birding/wildlife. There are many people on DPC who own one or the other so you can check out samples from us-folks.


I have the 100-400 L and it was OK with the 10D. Its now a little short on the full frame 5D
10/10/2006 06:51:37 PM · #5
Originally posted by honikum:


I've theree lenses in mind.

1)Canon 70-300 IS
2)Sigma 100-300 F4
3)tamron 200 - 500


There are two Canon 70-300 IS lenses (DO and non-DO version). Which one are you considering? I assume the non-DO version since it's priced similar to the other lenses. For me I'd probably get the Tamron since it has more "bang" with the 500mm length. That should be good for birding as well as candids. The Sigma would probably be my second choice.
10/10/2006 08:08:15 PM · #6
If it's length you want, try the Sigma Zoom 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO DG HSM. I would have bought it if I could have found it.
10/10/2006 08:18:52 PM · #7
Originally posted by honikum:

I def want to try birding..but at the same time I want to use the lens for other kinds like candid (Cos people get conscious when go close with my non tele lens).


I attract more attention when I'm walking around with my Sigma 50-500 "Bigma" than any other lens. Can't be candid with a big zoom lens -- it's too threatening.

I've had reasonable results with it birding, although that's not my general interest area. In good light, and with reasonable muscles, it can even be handheld.

10/10/2006 08:43:35 PM · #8
How about looking for a used prime lens for an FD mount (Or, for that matter, Nikon, Oly, Pentax, Contax(Zeiss), etc.)?

The FD 600mm 4.5L is probably great, although it's huge. Here's one on ebay:
//cgi.ebay.com/CANON-FD-600mm-f-4-5-SSC-LENS-TELEPHOTO_W0QQitemZ260039124753QQihZ016QQcategoryZ48552QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Message edited by author 2006-10-10 20:44:47.
10/10/2006 08:47:47 PM · #9
A few words on focal length: be careful with the advertised numbers! Some of the 3rd party telephotos are actually shorter on their long end than what the numbers indicate. Not sure about the lenses discussed, but *do* look for independent tests of actual focal length. The difference can be significant.
FWIW, the Canon 100-400 is a very highly rated zoom. The push-pull design puts some folks off, but doesn't seem to bother others. No personal experience to relate.
10/10/2006 08:51:02 PM · #10
Originally posted by MadMan2k:

How about looking for a used prime lens for an FD mount (Or, for that matter, Nikon, Oly, Pentax, Contax(Zeiss), etc.)?

The FD 600mm 4.5L is probably great, although it's huge. Here's one on ebay:
//cgi.ebay.com/CANON-FD-600mm-f-4-5-SSC-LENS-TELEPHOTO_W0QQitemZ260039124753QQihZ016QQcategoryZ48552QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


FD lenses only work with EOS cameras with an adapter in full-manual mode, meaning:
- No AF
- Stopped down metering
- Optics in the adapter mean image degradation
- The Canon adapter is no longer made, was never a real production item (sold mostly to pros for long telephoto lens use) and thus is expensive used.
- Adapters without optics are available, I believe, but you cannot focus to infinity using them
10/10/2006 09:59:47 PM · #11
Hmm.. are the infinty-enabled adapters that bad? I haven't really used one.
No AF might be hard for shooting sports or fast wildlife, but people managed before, didn't they?

It seems like the prime, even with a glass adapter, should give you better results than a cheap zoom...
10/11/2006 05:22:28 PM · #12
hi my budjet is areound $800..

I also considered the canon 70-300 is (non DO) and Sigma 100-300 F4, because Canon 350D has 1.6 crop factor I get upto 480 mm from these two lenses. IS 480 enough for Birding?......

Also I've never done anything on birds and never owned any telelens before. So I may not be buying any prime lens at this point of time.

And I feel canon 100 -400 is bit expensive for me..
So i wanted to know somebody who are using Tamron 200-500
And and how good is it.

Message edited by author 2006-10-11 17:23:05.
10/12/2006 06:32:08 AM · #13
Originally posted by honikum:

hi my budjet is areound $800..

I also considered the canon 70-300 is (non DO) and Sigma 100-300 F4, because Canon 350D has 1.6 crop factor I get upto 480 mm from these two lenses. IS 480 enough for Birding?......

Also I've never done anything on birds and never owned any telelens before. So I may not be buying any prime lens at this point of time.

And I feel canon 100 -400 is bit expensive for me..
So i wanted to know somebody who are using Tamron 200-500
And and how good is it.


You can check out results with this lens here or here.
10/12/2006 07:29:00 AM · #14
Originally posted by honikum:

but at the same time I want to use the lens for other kinds like candid (Cos people get conscious when go close with my non tele lens).


And when they notice you shooting with a long tele they surely will get pissed.
10/12/2006 07:50:49 AM · #15
If you intend to shoot at 300mm without a tripod I would take the IS lens any time. I have the Canon 75-300 IS, just recently replaced at it's long end with a 300mm prime. It's ok, and apparently the new model is better.

For street candids, try a superwide for fun. Stand real close and pretend to photograph something else. Nobody ever expects they are inside the shot with such huge field of view =). I have used my 75-300 for candids at a wedding though, it's not THAT huge a lens, but will stand out from the crowd. My advice when shooting candids is don't try to be descreet with a long lens, you will stand out even more while looking furtive and shifty. Be confident, obvious and try to look like it's your JOB to be there, people are much more likely to ignore you.
10/12/2006 08:16:34 AM · #16
Sigma 50-500, Sigma 135-400, Sigma 170-500...with the 2nd 2 and your budget, you can even add on a 1.4x teleconverter.
10/12/2006 09:21:41 AM · #17
I have the Tamron 200-500 for my nikon. It is a nice lens. Works great for Bird shots however a tripod is required if you are going to go all the way out to 500mm. I have a few shots in my portfoio taken with the 200-500 if you want to have a look. some were taken with my D50 some with the D200.
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