Canon Telephoto Zoom lens suggestions?

05/04/2007 11:03:33 AM · #1

Hi everyone. I am graduating college and can now afford a decent lens for my camera. I think I have decided to go with a 70-300mm or 100-300mm zoom and have it narrowed down to these lenses below. Which one of these would you get and why? Also if you have any other suggestions in the same price range feel free to list those too. Thanks!

Sigma APO DG 70-300mm Macro

Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

TechnoShroom

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/04/2007 03:14:32 PM · #2

Originally posted by svt_gEEk:

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

If I had to choose between the three it would probably be this one.

jemison

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/04/2007 03:42:08 PM · #3

Have you considered the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8? A bit pricey, but a really, really fine lens.

chimericvisions

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

05/04/2007 03:43:45 PM · #4

Originally posted by jemison:

Have you considered the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8? A bit pricey, but a really, really fine lens.

$2000 is "a bit pricey"?

I want your allowance.

ExcaliburVT

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/04/2007 04:30:35 PM · #5

Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

Originally posted by svt_gEEk:
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

If I had to choose between the three it would probably be this one.

I agree. I have used mine far more than I thought I would have. Its great for outdoor shots, and the IS makes a huge difference, especially if your like me and handhold everything.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

05/04/2007 04:31:09 PM · #6

Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

Originally posted by svt_gEEk:
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

If I had to choose between the three it would probably be this one.

I agree I also own the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS and love it. Nice and sharp and the IS comes in very handy.

most of the pics in my portfolio are with that lens...

-dave

jemison

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/04/2007 05:39:26 PM · #7

Originally posted by chimericvisions:

Originally posted by jemison:
Have you considered the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8? A bit pricey, but a really, really fine lens.

$2000 is "a bit pricey"?

I want your allowance.

HehHeh...someone in this thread called it a "budget lens"

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II

05/04/2007 11:39:23 PM · #8

Haha, thanks for all the comments! That one lens IS indeed "a bit pricey" lol. I think I'll stick around the <=$500 range. Most of you confirmed what I already thought though, I think I will go with the Canon. :)

surfdabbler

Canon EOS-5D

05/04/2007 11:47:09 PM · #9

Yes, I've been looking at these myself. The biggest issue I'm finding is that there are no tele lenses in this class that will take a polarising filter. They all have rotating fronts.

But, that aside, the Canon 70-300 IS USM is far and away the leader of this pack. Go for it!

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

05/05/2007 12:39:57 AM · #10

Originally posted by surfdabbler:

I havn't tried them but have been thinking of trying one of the circular polarizers, or are they pretty much useless?

-dave

TechnoShroom

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/05/2007 01:03:29 AM · #11

Doesn't make the CP useless it makes it more work.

Telehubbie

05/05/2007 01:55:08 AM · #12

I would take a look at the Canon 70-200 f/4 (non IS). It's a very nice and sharp lens and just about in your price range, has a constant aperture, internal focusing/non-rotating front element, much better build quality, etc.

Check out the reviews at Fred Miranda.

05/05/2007 06:04:59 PM · #13

My roommate actually had the 70-200 f/4L lens and loved it but I think I'd like that extra 100mm of zoom so I would rather have the 70-300mm, and the IS is always a plus. So I think I have decided on that Canon 70-300 IS and my next lens purchase after that will be the Sigma 10-20 :)

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

05/05/2007 06:06:23 PM · #14

70-200 F4 and a 1.4TC would be better than the 70-300. Own everything just mentioned, used it all many times. No comparison between the two lenses and the 1.4 TC has negligible impact on image quality with the 70-200.

Message edited by author 2007-05-05 18:06:42.

splidge

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/05/2007 06:35:49 PM · #15

Of course, the 70-200 f/4 and 1.4X will cost quite a bit more than the 70-300 IS...

Personally I went for the 70-200 f/4 IS and will add the TC later if I really want the length - but that ends up costing quite a bit more :). But the images that come out of the 70-200 f/4 IS are flat out awesome...

splidge

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

05/05/2007 06:59:05 PM · #16

Originally posted by splidge:

Of course, the 70-200 f/4 and 1.4X will cost quite a bit more than the 70-300 IS...

Unless things have changed dramatically in the past 6 months or so, I'm pretty sure the 70-300 IS was a 900 dollar lense when I bought it. 70-200 F4 is 600 and change, TC is a hundred bucks.

edit: I see you are talking about the IS f4. Below they were talking non-IS.

Message edited by author 2007-05-05 19:01:15.

05/05/2007 11:23:59 PM · #17

I swear....you guys are about to make me change my mind, lol. I'm leaning more towards the 70-200 f/4L now!

Telehubbie

05/05/2007 11:49:30 PM · #18

I just saw on B+H they have an excellent condition used Canon F/4L for $479, that's saving $100. I've never bought used, but I guess coming from B+H you'd be pretty safe. I can't find the teleconverter on there though, it only brings up Tamrom and Kenko TC's for some reason.

splidge