[panik343]

Okay, so I've been dodging this bullet for quite some time now. I have a Digital Rebel XT with most of the accessories I can buy accept for a zoom lens. The Tamron 17-50mm just isn't cutting it when I need range. Overall I am very happy with the lens. If any of you can reccomend me a Canon mount zoom lens for a decent price for a high school student (350-700$) I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,
-Mike

 

[Mrvile]

The 70-200mm f/4L is about $500 and is one of the best zoom lenses you can get for the money. Following closely behind is the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS which is another great lens for about the same price. If you look hard enough you can find Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX for about $650 - $700 used, which is a step up from the other two lenses listed. And if you look really hard and stretch your budget a bit, you might be able to find a Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX for about $750 - $800 used, which is a better lens than any of the others I listed.

Anyway, what do you plan on shooting the most with this lens?

 

[panik343]

Basically I enjoy nature shots wether its a still subject or in motion. I figure for like family events and such I can just use the tamron lens. Basically just a general use lens with range is what im looking for.

 

[mbriant]

If you're looking for a longish telephoto (150mm and up) and can afford the premium attached, you'd appreciate the added hand-held flexibility an f2.8 lens will give you. An f4 will suffice in most situations, but I find that extra stop really comes in handy sometimes....especially for hand-held candids in natural light where you need a fast shutter speed to prevent blur. But again, there is an additional cost attached to that extra flexibility.

 

[Mrvile]

The 70-300IS is a pretty good "all-around" lens...it's surprisingly sharp, light, unobstrusive, rather inexpensive, has a pretty long focal range, and IS can be very helpful. The 70-200/4L is another great all-arounder, but comes with the extras that an L-lens offers such as better build quality, slightly faster/quieter autofocus, and almost unparalleled reliability. Unfortunately, you're limited to 200mm at the longest, and it doesn't have IS.

Lenses like the Sigma 70-200/2.8 and 100-300/4, which are barely in your budget, are more specialty lenses. The 70-200 is big, heavy, expensive, and only 200mm at the longest. However, its fast f/2.8 aperture is invaluable when shooting in lower light or when trying to isolate the subject. The 100-300 is bigger, heavier, and even more expensive, but is one of the only lenses in its class and it does a great job doing what it's supposed to do. However, due to its weight and focal length, it would probably be best to use with a tripod most of the time since it doesn't have IS.

Those are pretty much your options. All of the lenses listed are great lenses, so weigh out your priorities and go with one that will suit you the best.

 

[panik343]

Thanks Alot all of this info is very helpful in making my choice. I'm sure I'm going to have major trouble choosing between the 200 and 300mm lenses but overall all of these choices are very nice to have in one place.

 

[panik343]

I got one more question for you guys. What would be the difference between teh 200mm telephoto versus the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS as far as zoom? Does a telephoto lens do somehitng better than a regular zoom lens?

 

[GlendaleViper]

Zoom typically does nothing better than a fixed tele... but the flexibility a zoom provides can be invaluable and basically trump any benefits of a fixed lens, if you need it.

 

[Mrvile]

Fixed focal length lenses tend to be sharper than zoom lenses. The Canon 200mm f/2.8L lens is going to be much sharper than the 70-300IS zoom.

 

[Computerpro3]

Oh come one Mike, you need a new motherboard/chip before you get a zoom lens. You use the computer everyday and teh zoom lense a few times a year!

 

[jbloudg20]

Even though its not a Canon-made lens... I use a Sigma 70-300 DG Macro with my XT. I love it, and its VERY sharp.

 

[Mrvile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbloudg20 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Even though its not a Canon-made lens... I use a Sigma 70-300 DG Macro with my XT. I love it, and its VERY sharp.

That lens is a little out of his price range

 

[jbloudg20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif That lens is a little out of his price range

No its not?? I paid 200 for mine.

 

[Mrvile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbloudg20 /img/forum/go_quote.gif No its not?? I paid 200 for mine.

I know, I was kidding (note the winky). He originally stated his price range was $350-700.

 

[jbloudg20]

Ah ok. gotcha.