Zoom lens for 400D?

Richard_16v · 9 Jan 2008 at 19:17

Hello

I have just got a 400D and would like a zoom lens, most photography will be wildlife and motorsports (I know that the kit lens doesn't zoom as much as i'd like).

I am on a reasonably tight budget so can't afford to splash out on L lenses that cost hundreds/thousands etc!

Out of the following which is best? Also are these ok or are they a waste of money?

No 1 - Tamron 55-200mm F/4-5.6 Di ll - £69.99 New
No 2 - TAMRON AF70-300mm F4-5.6Di MACRO £70 2nd hand
No 3 - Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO £150 New
No 4 - Tamron 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 £129 New (may be the same as no 2?)
No 5 - Sigma 55-200mm f4-5.6 DC - £89.99 New
No 6 - Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG MACRO £94 New (same as No 3 but no APO?)

Sorry to sound like a total noob, I am learning but lenses and all the codes don't make much sense to me at the moment.

Many Thanks

Richard

tom_nieto · 9 Jan 2008 at 19:45

Had great results with my Sigma 70-300mm APO lens on the 400D.

A.N.Other · 9 Jan 2008 at 19:55

Out of the 300s, the Sigma APO DG Macro is the best. APO (apochromatic - wiki it) glass makes the optics far better than the other sigma and it is generally rated higher than the Tamron equivalent in magazines.

Hope that helps.

Mobius 1 · 9 Jan 2008 at 19:57

have you considered the Canon 55-250mm IS? it cost me 160 quid new. its a nice lens for the cost of it

FreeStream · 9 Jan 2008 at 20:12

70-300 USM IS.

Ever so worth it for £350 IMO.

Sharp, IS, better than all of them. Ok its expensive but I was in the same boat once.

philio16 · 9 Jan 2008 at 20:15

While lenses do hold their value quite well, so you could always resell the lens and upgrade to a better one in the future...you can save the trouble by buying good the first time

I'd second the 70-300 IS!

Richard_16v · 9 Jan 2008 at 20:22

Thanks, i'll take a look at the Sigma APO.

£350 is a bit much at the moment, i'm getting married this year so the Financial Director is keeping tabs on the finances

maybe next year i'll upgrade

GSXRMovistar · 9 Jan 2008 at 20:43

The Sigma APO is a fantastic budget lens that can be had for £109 delivered if you shop around. I'd go for that (well I did) and then at a later date if you decide you want to spend more on a lens of that range you can sell the Sigma on and lose very little cash.

Rob200sx · 9 Jan 2008 at 20:45

I can recommend the Sigma APO as well

These were taken with it on my 400D as an example

Balb0wa · 9 Jan 2008 at 20:48

Heres some sigma 70-300APO 400D shots, think it cost me £100 from the bay.

Tree 300mm ISO 200 F8

Tree 100% Crop 300mm

Fence 70mm ISO 200 F8

Fence 100% Crop 70mm

Fence 119mm IS0 200 F8

Fence 100% Crop 119mm

Fence 214mm ISO 200 F8

Fence 100% Crop 214mm

Fence 300mm ISO 200 F8

Fence 100% Crop 300mm

Mobius 1 · 9 Jan 2008 at 21:05

this is my first real attempt with my lens, i was in the same boat as you, and the camera shop advised me on the canon 55-250mm canon IS. for £170

stoofa · 9 Jan 2008 at 23:36

I have the Sigma 55-200mm f4-5.6 DC - in fact it was the first "extra" lens I bought for my 400d.
Starts where the kit lens finishes at 55 on then goes on.

It is a cheap and cheeful lens but I can honestly say it does give some really quite wonderful results.
It also seems to be quite a popular lens because there are usually a few of them floating around on EBay which means you can get a real bargain.
I paid £50 for mine all in - yes its second hand but it is in perfect condition.
I use my 50mm prime a fair amount, but I've taken the Sigma on a walkabout and it does the job nicely.

I'm not saying it is as good as some of the other lens you've mentioned, however check out EBay and you should be able to pick one up for < £50 and at that price it is a good way of getting into and used to a bit mroe zoom.

33L · 10 Jan 2008 at 07:49

another vote for sigma 70-300mm APO. was using it yesterday and it was locking on focus in very poor light whilst panning.

Richard_16v · 10 Jan 2008 at 07:58

Thanks guys, i'm going to have a shop around, by the sounds of it most lenses I get will be better quality than me for a while

Tauren - Nice picture there, thats the sort of thing i'm hoping to be able to take.

Mobius 1 · 10 Jan 2008 at 08:38

Richard_16v said:
Tauren - Nice picture there, thats the sort of thing i'm hoping to be able to take.

cheers!

im still only a novice as well. so i didnt have a clue as to which lens to go for. may i add, that you will probably benefit by buying a tripod, whether the lens has IS or not. i wish i had but dont have enough money this month, good luck in finding the lens you need!