Canon Zoom Lens Options

[TomE]

Hi all, I'm posting this on behalf of a friend who has been asking advice about which Canon zoom lens he should buy. I'm afraid I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to these things so I thought I'd throw it open to the floor.

He would like to use it primarily for motorsports but also for some wildlife photography, and he has a budget of £400 max. The following are the ones he has picked out so far, can anyone offer any opinions/alternatives for him? I've so far reasoned that he would find the 200mm lacking in zoom and also that if he can afford the price then the IS USM is the one to go for, would those in the know all agree, or is the extra cost of that lens not really justified?

Canon EF 55-200mm f4.5-5.6 USM II - £215 http://www.waltersphotovideo.co.uk/products/canon-...

Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM - £370 http://www.martinscamerashop.co.uk/canon-ef-70-300...

Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 USM III - £206 http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5...

Canon EF 100-300mm f4.5-5.6 USM - £279 http://www.jacobsdigital.co.uk/p-37068-jacobs-digi...

[Gemm]

Out of the 4, I'd definitely go for 100-300mm. This is the only one with ring USM (faster and quieter AF) and full-time manual focus capability. It's built better too. I know from this forum that this lens doesn't get a lot of attention but I've used it and it's a great option for this price range.

[Rich K]

I recently purchased this for my Nikon D7000.

I'm a keen amateur and been very pleased with it. A bit slow on occasions but the vibration control reaaly boosts low speed useability

The close up (Macro) function is great also.
Being 29-432mm in 35mm money, it's the only lens I now use (reducing the chance of dirt getting in)

This lens is a little over budget but shouldn't be dismissed, give it a try

Edited by Rich K on Friday 10th June 16:43

[MonkeyHanger]

If Motorsports = Circuit Racing then the 100-300 is easily the best budget option and gives some reach for wildlife.

If Motorsports = Rallies in dull forests then none of the above are ideal.

[TomE]

MonkeyHanger said:

If Motorsports = Circuit Racing then the 100-300 is easily the best budget option and gives some reach for wildlife.

If Motorsports = Rallies in dull forests then none of the above are ideal.

Generally circuit racing I would have thought.

Thanks for the other replies so far, the Tamron looks interesting I'll send him through the link. The 100-300 seems to be the pick so far then, does anyone know how the image quality will compare between the 100-300 and the 75-300 will there be any discernible difference at 300mm or will they both be fairly similar?

I'm just trying to get my head around the differences between them apart from IS and USM if possible!

[Cabinet Enforcer]

A second hand sigma 100-300mm F4 might fit in the budget, as would an older sigma 300mm F4 telemacro, though you'd need to check for digital compatibility.

The tamron 70-300 has a proper USM and IS, slightly cheaper than the canon one.

Fast 300mm glass is expensive

[Chicken Pox]

TomE said:

MonkeyHanger said:

If Motorsports = Circuit Racing then the 100-300 is easily the best budget option and gives some reach for wildlife.

If Motorsports = Rallies in dull forests then none of the above are ideal.

Generally circuit racing I would have thought.

Thanks for the other replies so far, the Tamron looks interesting I'll send him through the link. The 100-300 seems to be the pick so far then, does anyone know how the image quality will compare between the 100-300 and the 75-300 will there be any discernible difference at 300mm or will they both be fairly similar?

I'm just trying to get my head around the differences between them apart from IS and USM if possible!

I have a Tamron 70-300mm non VC/IS if want to dabble with length cheaply i.e. will he really use it alot as I went from the Tamron to Canon 70-200mm f2.8L when I knew what I really wanted for 95% of the time and extender for the other 5%, few pics for comparison here >>> click for some pics<<<

If you want reviews of the Canon lenses you mentioned they are all here (from a quick scroll down)
http://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/lenses

[RobDickinson]

Forget these two:

Canon EF 55-200mm f4.5-5.6 USM II - £215 http://www.waltersphotovideo.co.uk/products/canon-...

Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 USM III - £206 http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5...


Will £400 get you a 70-200f4L used?

[Chicken Pox]

RobDickinson said:

Forget these two:

Canon EF 55-200mm f4.5-5.6 USM II - £215 http://www.waltersphotovideo.co.uk/products/canon-...

Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 USM III - £206 http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5...


Will £400 get you a 70-200f4L used?

Good call MifSuds have one for £450

[LongQ]

Which body does he have?

There is potential, in some combinations of body/lens, to buy a shorter lens, i.e. 70-200 f4 L with a 7D, and still get much the same or even better results as a typical 300 with a lower end/older body as far as resolution detail goes when cropped. On the other hand that does not imply exactly the same focal length look of course.

[RobDickinson]

True. IMO 200mm is no good if you need the FOV of 300mm, but then if you dont its going to be a better option.

How much is a used 100-300f4 sigma?

[Gemm]

RobDickinson said:

How much is a used 100-300f4 sigma?

Here's one for £550.

http://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/Used_Sigma_100-300...

[Dogsey]

Surely the cheap zoom missing from that list is the Canon 55-250 IS?

[dubzter]

I would be considering this, might find it slightly cheaper elsewhere.

Tamron SP 70-300 F/4-5.6 Di VC USD