Canon 500d lense advice

[EVLXGE]

Firstly hello. I'm new to this section and new to the DSLR world.

I've had canon ixus point and shoot jobs for a few years, on the newer ones I've started experimenting with different settings but find myself increasing frustrated that I can't do more. Especially when it comes to motorsport photography.

I'm just about decided on upgrading to a canon 500d but I'm still trying to get my head round all the different lenses.

What would you guys advise as a good starting lense for someone wanting to take fast moving motorsport stuff when your generally a fair way back from the action.

I'm trying to watch tutorials and read plenty of books for advice at the moment but some help from people on a car forum would be helpfull.

[RobDickinson]

How much do you want to spend?

Entry price is probably the sigma 70-300f4.5-5.6 APO, but I'd go for the canon 55-250IS if budget was small (in lens terms!)

Stepping up theres the canon 70-300IS then 70-200's and 100-400 but thats a lot of money for those.

[EVLXGE]

Thats half the problem..im not sure how much I need to spend. Under 300 I would think.

The canon 55-250 IS seems like a good start.

[z06tim]

I have the 500D and i bought the Canon EFS 55-250 for the longer range stuff. Ive found it to produce good results for me on the 500D. I don't have experience of the other more expensive alternatives, which reading alll the specs and reviews I'm sure will produce better results, but, to be honest, for the price of the 55-250 I'm sure you won't be dissappointed.

[rob200sx]

< £300 can net you either the Sigma 70-300 or the Canon 55-250 with cash to spare, I've used both and I've still got the 55-250, for me, it's much better than the Sigma but only because Sigma's suffer from poor quality control so it's pot luck if you'll get a good one.

The Sigma doesn't come with IS but you do get that extra 50mm but I can honestly say I've not been in a situation where I've needed that extra length

I can post up some shots from both lenses if that'll help?

[Crafty_]

as said 55-250 is great.

if you need a bit more reach look at the 70-300 canon.

If that sstill not enough look at the 150-500 Sigma or if you have loads of cash the 100-400 canon.

[EVLXGE]

Just popped to jessops for another look. They advised me to go for a Tamron 70-300. There doing that for £119 reduced from £169. Is it typical we need to shift them salesman crap or is it any good?

[EVLXGE]

rob200sx said:

< £300 can net you either the Sigma 70-300 or the Canon 55-250 with cash to spare, I've used both and I've still got the 55-250, for me, it's much better than the Sigma but only because Sigma's suffer from poor quality control so it's pot luck if you'll get a good one.

The Sigma doesn't come with IS but you do get that extra 50mm but I can honestly say I've not been in a situation where I've needed that extra length

I can post up some shots from both lenses if that'll help?

That would be great thanks.

It really is a minefield when it comes to lenses. Im more confused than i was to begin with..

[rob200sx]

Here you go

Sigma 70-300


Canon 55-250

[telford_mike]

EVLXGE said:

Just popped to jessops for another look. They advised me to go for a Tamron 70-300. There doing that for £119 reduced from £169. Is it typical we need to shift them salesman crap or is it any good?

If it doesn't have Image Stabilisation (and I don't think it does), get the Canon 55-250 IS. Image Stabilisation is brilliant - you'll get lots of shots that otherwise would have been blurred.

[cbcbcb]

EVLXGE said:

Just popped to jessops for another look. They advised me to go for a Tamron 70-300. There doing that for £119 reduced from £169. Is it typical we need to shift them salesman crap or is it any good?

I bought the Tamron 70-300 with my 400D. It's sharp enough when stopped down, but the focus mechanism is quite slow, so there's a bit of a knack to getting good shots with it.

Massa through the fence at Silverstone 2008:


Fennec T-28 at Duxford:


As you can see, it does the job, and if you really only have 120 pounds to spend on the lens, it's a reasonable option. If you can spend more, then you will get more with the 55-250 IS.

[Crafty_]

EVLXGE said:

Just popped to jessops for another look. They advised me to go for a Tamron 70-300. There doing that for £119 reduced from £169. Is it typical we need to shift them salesman crap or is it any good?

I would go for the 55-250 over this lens.

Have a browse over at www.talkphotography.co.uk and photography-on-the.net, the former is a uk site with loads of info, the latter has a forum with sample shots of all the lenses you could possibly think of (for a canon anyway).

[XG332]

Did you go into a Jessops today? If so was it in redditch?

Just Curious,

[EVLXGE]

Yes but not in redditch. It's a little far to travel!

I'll can the idea of the tamron. Just remembered the guy in jessops told me the extra for IS wasn't worth it and that's why I should go for the tamron.

Would you say it worth biting the bullet and spending the extra on a Canon 70-300 rather than go for the 55-250?

[cbcbcb]

EVLXGE said:

Would you say it worth biting the bullet and spending the extra on a Canon 70-300 rather than go for the 55-250?

I would think you'd be better off getting the 55-250, taking some photographs and then seeing what else you want from a lens. The 70-300 is expensive, and there's no point buying it to discover that what you really want is a 200mm f/2.8 prime lens (for example).

[EVLXGE]

Thanks for the advice everyone I've bought a 500d with 18-55 and 55-250.

Just a small matter of learning how to use it.

[XG332]

EVLXGE said:

Yes but not in redditch. It's a little far to travel!

I'll can the idea of the tamron. Just remembered the guy in jessops told me the extra for IS wasn't worth it and that's why I should go for the tamron.

Would you say it worth biting the bullet and spending the extra on a Canon 70-300 rather than go for the 55-250?

Oh ok just wondering as i was speaking to a customer in the same story.

[Mojocvh]

Pretty comprehensive lens reviews here:-

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012913dpreview...

Mo.