Telephoto lens?

Mobius 1 · 28 Mar 2007 at 18:43

Hi! Quick question..

What would be the best telephoto lens within or just over the £100 mark for a canon EOS 400D? As i am finding the bog standard 18-55mm lens a bit limiting. It doesn't have to be a canon specific lens. Any user experience and reccomendations would be very much appreciated. Cheers all whom reply.

alexisonfire · 28 Mar 2007 at 18:48

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro can be had for £110-120.
Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro can be had for £100-£110.

Can't comment on either of these lens as i've never used them, but it might be worth reading up on them and checking out some reviews.

Mobius 1 · 28 Mar 2007 at 19:11

alexisonfire said:
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro can be had for £110-120.
Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro can be had for £100-£110.

Can't comment on either of these lens as i've never used them, but it might be worth reading up on them and checking out some reviews.

thanks, i'll give those two a look. i dont really know what im looking for but thanks for steering me in the right direction

Rooky007 · 28 Mar 2007 at 20:21

-Tauren- said:
thanks, i'll give those two a look. i dont really know what im looking for but thanks for steering me in the right direction

tamron is a good one for it money as that i what i have at the moment till i buy myself a canon 70 - 200 L IS 2.8

Nazbit · 28 Mar 2007 at 20:28

The 70-300 APO DG macro is a decent lens for the money.

Auto focus can be slow and it can hunt about a bit in low light, but apart from that its good for the money.

Mobius 1 · 28 Mar 2007 at 23:03

Thanks guys. I will pick one up asap. In reality... will i really need a lens going as far as 70-300mm? or will anything going up to 200mm be enough?

Nazbit · 28 Mar 2007 at 23:15

-Tauren- said:
Thanks guys. I will pick one up asap. In reality... will i really need a lens going as far as 70-300mm? or will anything going up to 200mm be enough?

What are you shooting?

Mobius 1 · 28 Mar 2007 at 23:17

Nazbit said:
What are you shooting?

I'm not entirely sure, i want to get some close up's on some birds and creatures, because if they notice you when you try to get close they fly off etc.. the only creature i have managed to get close to with my standard lens is this tame duck, and even then its not a very good one lol.

alexisonfire · 28 Mar 2007 at 23:36

The only reason i went for 200mm over 300mm was because the particular lenses i was looking at, the 300mm was 3 times the price, and i simply couldn't afford it. I hadn't used a telelphoto lens before, and wasn't exactly sure if 200mm was going to be adequate, and it isn't really. I really wish i had that little bit more zoom. Unless you don't mind cropping your photos to 70-80%, go for the 300mm.

A.N.Other · 29 Mar 2007 at 01:24

I have the sigma lens. When mags compare the sigma and the tamron, they give very similar results, but the sigma is normally picked out as the one to get. If you're looking at the sigma, make sure you get the APO (apochromatic) lens rather than just the 70-300 DG Macro.

My experiences with it are good. In mist I've had it hunting about for focus quite a bit, but I can't say I've had too much trouble with just low light conditions (using a 350D fyi). Shots are sharp enough, but it isn't amazingly fast (f/5.6 @ 300), so if you're in a wood photographing birds or something, then you aren't going to be getting fast shutter speeds without a fairly high ISO. The macro function on it is good and I use it quite a bit.

As above, I've got my eyes set on either the Canon 70-200 f/4 L or f/2.8 L, depending on funds, as an upgrade.

Mobius 1 · 29 Mar 2007 at 09:21

A.N.Other said:
I have the sigma lens. When mags compare the sigma and the tamron, they give very similar results, but the sigma is normally picked out as the one to get. If you're looking at the sigma, make sure you get the APO (apochromatic) lens rather than just the 70-300 DG Macro.

My experiences with it are good. In mist I've had it hunting about for focus quite a bit, but I can't say I've had too much trouble with just low light conditions (using a 350D fyi). Shots are sharp enough, but it isn't amazingly fast (f/5.6 @ 300), so if you're in a wood photographing birds or something, then you aren't going to be getting fast shutter speeds without a fairly high ISO. The macro function on it is good and I use it quite a bit.

As above, I've got my eyes set on either the Canon 70-200 f/4 L or f/2.8 L, depending on funds, as an upgrade.

ok so by the sounds of it im best going for a 70-300 or something similar. cheers guys, i'll have a look round my local lens shop. or try the net. I just hope it doesnt get sent to me and get damaged.

boycee · 29 Mar 2007 at 09:36

Why would it get damaged, I got mine from a well known chinese outlet, perfect condition and has an international waranty.

Massive thumbs up for the Sigma 70-300APO as well, took it out for the first time on paddys day.

I took all my pics in my sig with that lens, and was very impressed!! Can be had for around £100 as well.

Mobius 1 · 29 Mar 2007 at 09:57

boycee said:
Why would it get damaged, I got mine from a well known chinese outlet, perfect condition and has an international waranty.

Massive thumbs up for the Sigma 70-300APO as well, took it out for the first time on paddys day.

I took all my pics in my sig with that lens, and was very impressed!! Can be had for around £100 as well.

Really? thankyou. i shall look for that lens now. You have some really nice pics. around the 100 mark was exactly what i am looking for. cheers bud