Canon lens questions

Partysub · 11-25-2007, 06:05 AM

I have a canon XT and love it so far. Im getting bored with the supplied lens and want to upgrade to something with a better zoom. I am new to this camera and am starting to learn alot about it. I use the camera for fun and have no plans of using it as work. A friend of mine who took photography in college suggested I get a sigma lens as a starter zoom lens. He suggested this one: Amazon.com: Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

Now, I have been reading on a few forums and everyone seems to think this is not worth it. While I was looking around I found this lens and really cant tell the difference between the two.
Amazon.com: Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

I dont want to spend a ton on a lens. I dont need super sharp or perfect pics, so I dont need a $1000 lens right now. I mostly want this lens for shooting outdoors so Im not too worried about the aperture value being high. Is there any other lens that I should consider in the same price range? I was playing with an old vivitar 100-300 lens and liked the zoom of the 300 so Im not sure I would want less. I didnt like how the lens had a very hard time focusing. Any suggestions or feedback would be appreciated. thanks

***Datadatum*** · 11-25-2007, 07:06 AM

Yes, it is a great camera.

The first lens I bought was for everyday use (28-135 IS):

Amazon.com: Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR*Cameras: Camera & Photo

Going with a 300mm zoom is asking for either a tripod or a stabilizer (or both). The lens that you linked has a relative lack of optical speed, which means that you will always have to use a tripod unless taking pictures in the sun.

If you want to spend more (3x) to lose the tripod and gain some flexibility, try this lens:

Amazon.com: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

Note that for the same price is an incredible lens (but without IS):

Amazon.com: Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

There is a great debate over which of the last two lenses I linked is better for the amateur photographer...

WRXTek · 11-25-2007, 09:48 AM

The Canon 75-300 is a rubbish lens.

Pic up a 70-300 IS USM or a 70-300 Sigma APO. You will be happy with the extra reach those lens have. And both wont make a dent in your wallet.

Partysub · 11-25-2007, 10:37 AM

datadatum - 99% of the time I would be using a tripod when outside. Those lenses look nice but are just outside of what I want to spend or ask for for Christmas.

wrxtek - isnt your second choice the lens I linked? Have you used it?

Also, would dropping down to a 200 be a better choice and still have enough reach?

WRXTek · 11-25-2007, 10:55 AM

yes the Sigma APO is the same on the link you posted. I haven't used it non. But I own the later. 70-300 IS USM.

with reach it all depends on what you want to shoot. But yes. You could go with a 200 now. and if its not enough reach you can always add an extender.

mattd · 11-25-2007, 11:08 AM

300mm is a very nice zoom.

I have a nikon slr which I bought a 18-135mm and a 55-200mm and it's definitely enough of a zoom for me. The only downfall, the nikkor lenses are twice as much as Canon.

***ELD4AU6*** · 11-25-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Datadatum

Yes, it is a great camera.

The first lens I bought was for everyday use (28-135 IS):

Amazon.com: Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR*Cameras: Camera & Photo

This was my first lens as well. Pretty good for the price.

**Parker** · 11-25-2007, 10:07 PM

if you're looking at the Canon 70-200 f/4 non IS lens, it is a great choice. probably hailed as one of the best telephoto lenses available, especially for the price. the difference between 200mm and 300mm can be significant in some situations but in others, it could mean YOU moving in closer instead of using a zoom.

blk rex · 11-26-2007, 11:57 AM

The 75-300 is absolute junk. I'd rather crop when I need the zoom. (Which is not ideal).

My next lens is a 70-200.

**Ben** · 11-26-2007, 01:15 PM

I'd definitely advise the 70-200, and if you really need the extra reach, throw on the 1.4x extender, get closer, or crop. Even with the 1.4x extender, your results with the 70-200 (at an effective 280mm) will look much better than with the 300.

myoung321 · 11-26-2007, 01:23 PM

Anyone have the new Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens?

Curious how much better it is than the normal 18-55

**Ben** · 11-26-2007, 01:28 PM

I'm not sure, but if you want an AWESOME lens in that focal range you should check out the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. It's one of the sharpest Canon lenses out there.

**Parker** · 11-26-2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

I'm not sure, but if you want an AWESOME lens in that focal range you should check out the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. It's one of the sharpest Canon lenses out there.

if you don't have the money for this, take a look at the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8

Partysub · 11-26-2007, 02:23 PM

so would the sigma be a total waste of money or ok for now? Is there anything out there for under 300 that is just ok? Remember, I dont need anything super crazy.

blk rex · 11-26-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

I'm not sure, but if you want an AWESOME lens in that focal range you should check out the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. It's one of the sharpest Canon lenses out there.

How come that isnt an L lens?

11-25-2007, 06:05 AM	#1
Partysub Professional STI Driver Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: All of them Location: Wappingers Falls, NY Posts: 499 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	Canon lens questions I have a canon XT and love it so far. Im getting bored with the supplied lens and want to upgrade to something with a better zoom. I am new to this camera and am starting to learn alot about it. I use the camera for fun and have no plans of using it as work. A friend of mine who took photography in college suggested I get a sigma lens as a starter zoom lens. He suggested this one: Amazon.com: Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo Now, I have been reading on a few forums and everyone seems to think this is not worth it. While I was looking around I found this lens and really cant tell the difference between the two. Amazon.com: Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo I dont want to spend a ton on a lens. I dont need super sharp or perfect pics, so I dont need a $1000 lens right now. I mostly want this lens for shooting outdoors so Im not too worried about the aperture value being high. Is there any other lens that I should consider in the same price range? I was playing with an old vivitar 100-300 lens and liked the zoom of the 300 so Im not sure I would want less. I didnt like how the lens had a very hard time focusing. Any suggestions or feedback would be appreciated. thanks This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

11-25-2007, 07:06 AM	#2
*Datadatum* 100% More Wingless Car: 05 STi + 08 OBXT Fav Mod: baby seats Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 5,530 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Canon lens questions Yes, it is a great camera. The first lens I bought was for everyday use (28-135 IS): Amazon.com: Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR*Cameras: Camera & Photo Going with a 300mm zoom is asking for either a tripod or a stabilizer (or both). The lens that you linked has a relative lack of optical speed, which means that you will always have to use a tripod unless taking pictures in the sun. If you want to spend more (3x) to lose the tripod and gain some flexibility, try this lens: Amazon.com: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo Note that for the same price is an incredible lens (but without IS): Amazon.com: Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo There is a great debate over which of the last two lenses I linked is better for the amateur photographer...

11-25-2007, 09:48 AM	#3
WRXTek Senior STI Driver Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Ecutek'd GT30R Posts: 345 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Canon lens questions The Canon 75-300 is a rubbish lens. Pic up a 70-300 IS USM or a 70-300 Sigma APO. You will be happy with the extra reach those lens have. And both wont make a dent in your wallet.

11-25-2007, 10:37 AM	#4
Partysub Professional STI Driver Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: All of them Location: Wappingers Falls, NY Posts: 499 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Canon lens questions datadatum - 99% of the time I would be using a tripod when outside. Those lenses look nice but are just outside of what I want to spend or ask for for Christmas. wrxtek - isnt your second choice the lens I linked? Have you used it? Also, would dropping down to a 200 be a better choice and still have enough reach?

11-25-2007, 10:55 AM	#5
WRXTek Senior STI Driver Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Ecutek'd GT30R Posts: 345 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Canon lens questions yes the Sigma APO is the same on the link you posted. I haven't used it non. But I own the later. 70-300 IS USM. with reach it all depends on what you want to shoot. But yes. You could go with a 200 now. and if its not enough reach you can always add an extender.

11-25-2007, 11:08 AM	#6
mattd Amateur STI Driver Car: 04 PSM STi Location: Easthampton, MA Posts: 39 Join Date: Aug 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Canon lens questions 300mm is a very nice zoom. I have a nikon slr which I bought a 18-135mm and a 55-200mm and it's definitely enough of a zoom for me. The only downfall, the nikkor lenses are twice as much as Canon.

11-25-2007, 10:07 PM	#8
Parker Photography Mod Car: 06 SGM STI Location: San Diego Posts: 2,912 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Canon lens questions if you're looking at the Canon 70-200 f/4 non IS lens, it is a great choice. probably hailed as one of the best telephoto lenses available, especially for the price. the difference between 200mm and 300mm can be significant in some situations but in others, it could mean YOU moving in closer instead of using a zoom.

11-26-2007, 11:57 AM	#9
blk rex Spec C Club Car: 00 Legacy GT LTD Fav Mod: Projectors. Location: Fitchburg, MA Posts: 1,124 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Canon lens questions The 75-300 is absolute junk. I'd rather crop when I need the zoom. (Which is not ideal). My next lens is a 70-200.

11-26-2007, 01:15 PM	#10
Ben Retired Admin Car: 2006 Audi S4 Fav Mod: Weight Loss Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,831 Join Date: Dec 1969 Trader Rating: (11)	Re: Canon lens questions I'd definitely advise the 70-200, and if you really need the extra reach, throw on the 1.4x extender, get closer, or crop. Even with the 1.4x extender, your results with the 70-200 (at an effective 280mm) will look much better than with the 300.

11-26-2007, 01:23 PM	#11
myoung321 Junior STI Driver Posts: 68 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Canon lens questions Anyone have the new Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens? Curious how much better it is than the normal 18-55

11-26-2007, 01:28 PM	#12
Ben Retired Admin Car: 2006 Audi S4 Fav Mod: Weight Loss Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,831 Join Date: Dec 1969 Trader Rating: (11)	Re: Canon lens questions I'm not sure, but if you want an AWESOME lens in that focal range you should check out the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. It's one of the sharpest Canon lenses out there.

11-26-2007, 02:23 PM	#14
Partysub Professional STI Driver Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: All of them Location: Wappingers Falls, NY Posts: 499 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Canon lens questions so would the sigma be a total waste of money or ok for now? Is there anything out there for under 300 that is just ok? Remember, I dont need anything super crazy.