DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> zoom or telephoto budget of ~500
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 12 of 12, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 03/18/2005 03:38:34 PM · #1
I'd like to get something for doing some tele-shots with. I don't think I'm a super critical eye(I don't seem to be able to pick out soft shots vs sharp ones as well as everyone else). For the near future(like the next year) I can probably only budget about 500$ at the most for this lens(although obviously if I can get away with less that'd be great). I think it'd be nice to have the flexibility of a zoom, but I'm fine with just a fixed lens too. I'd like not less then 200mm I think, I was aiming for the 300mm range range, I dont' mind a little slower lens so f4-5.6s are fine, I think I'll be outside in good lighting most times I'd use it anyway.
Suggestions? Thanks!
03/18/2005 03:44:12 PM · #2
see this site - Lens Performance Survey

The looking i have done i am liley to get eth Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO Super 2. b&h for $209. Most reviews rate it better than the canon at image quality, but a tad slower in focus (it isn't USM afterall). The Tamron 70-300 LD is a close second, but i can find less info on it, it is cheaper at $149 and seems to be about as good.

They are the two best rating wise unless you have $800+.
 03/18/2005 03:45:28 PM · #3
Originally posted by colema19:
I'd like to get something for doing some tele-shots with. I don't think I'm a super critical eye(I don't seem to be able to pick out soft shots vs sharp ones as well as everyone else). For the near future(like the next year) I can probably only budget about 500$ at the most for this lens(although obviously if I can get away with less that'd be great). I think it'd be nice to have the flexibility of a zoom, but I'm fine with just a fixed lens too. I'd like not less then 200mm I think, I was aiming for the 300mm range range, I dont' mind a little slower lens so f4-5.6s are fine, I think I'll be outside in good lighting most times I'd use it anyway.
Suggestions? Thanks!


If you could save up and additional $100 (max) you could get a Canon EF 70-200MM F/4.0 L USM lens. (Great value by most accounts... and it wouldn't impede your 20D's capabilities.)

Message edited by author 2005-03-18 15:47:21.
 03/18/2005 03:47:06 PM · #4
if $500 is the max amount then the Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 EF IS might be a good choice.

BUT for the extra $70 you can get the 70-200L f4 wich is top of the line, then just get a cheap 1.4x or 2x converter :)
 03/18/2005 03:56:26 PM · #5
I'd suggest the 70-200 f4 L over any of the other options you have laid out. That extra $70 will be well spent.
 03/18/2005 03:59:55 PM · #6
Originally posted by DanSig:
if $500 is the max amount then the Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 EF IS might be a good choice.

BUT for the extra $70 you can get the 70-200L f4 wich is top of the line, then just get a cheap 1.4x or 2x converter :)


Why screw up a good lens with a TC? You lose the F4 part right off the bat, and most TCs will soften the image. and the extra cost...it all comes in a bit over the $500!
 03/18/2005 04:04:29 PM · #7
Could consider the Sigma 135-400 APO, is under your budget price.

Steve
 03/18/2005 04:05:34 PM · #8
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
Why screw up a good lens with a TC?


The 70-200 still maintains high image quality with the Canon 1.4X TC. This was taken handheld through plate glass with that combo-



Message edited by author 2005-03-18 16:09:52.
 03/18/2005 04:06:39 PM · #9
I'm interested in the Tamron 28-300. Sure, it's not L glass, but what a range! It's only about $329.
 03/18/2005 04:07:59 PM · #10
My experience with the Canon 70-200 F/4L and the "cheapo" Tamron 1.4 converter is this--
If I'm not worried about the actual image size,(for printing), I find that cropping the image taken "without" the converter is sharper than same size with the converter on.
(Hope that made sense??)
With that said, for everything I have see/read, the canon converter doesn't lose hardly any detail.
03/18/2005 04:15:29 PM · #11
Originally posted by scalvert:
I'm interested in the Tamron 28-300. Sure, it's not L glass, but what a range! It's only about $329.


I love the reviewer's quote i read about this lens "The best way to turn you multi-thousand dollar dSLR into a cheap point and shoot."

I was interested in this lens too - but decided against it. It is handy for traveling - only one lens to carry, and not real expensive (compared to L glass anyway) if it gets stolen/busted.
The link i posted earlier has too few reviews to 'trust' the rating, but poor or worse is the current rank.
 03/18/2005 04:23:08 PM · #12
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
...poor or worse is the current rank.


Dang! Now I'll have to sell one of my kids for the Canon 35-350L.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 09/15/2025 07:04:21 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/15/2025 07:04:21 AM EDT.