Odd zoom question - I don't want the best..

[stevewestern]

Hi,
I want a long-ish zoom for my EOS300d and soon to be 30d.
However, from what I read, the L 70-200f4 (2.8 way too much for me..) is the one to buy, BUT, I do not want a lens that says 'PRO' or Steal Me !
So, what is there in the 70-200/300 ish range that has IS and is close to the L in qualtiy, but looks like a 'normal' lens - I need a non-rotating front, so a filter won't turn, and f4 is fine by me (we have plenty of light down here in Spain !)
Many thanks,

Steve

[FranchiseJuan]

What is so 'PRO' looking about the 70-200? Is it the white paint? And what is wrong with just getting the right equipment and then insuring it?

[Joe T]

70-300 IS? Maybe its the 75-300 IS. Cant remember.

[stevewestern]

It is the white paint - it will also attract my wifes attention, and it says 'Expensive'
We are also in a rural area, so even a SLR stands out a mile..!

[Glen]

Have you thought of the Sigma route?

[stevewestern]

Glen - tell me more then...
What do they do - I'll do a search, but is there any particular model that is known to be a goodie ?

[Joe T]

If you can afford the 70-200 2.8 is a goodie! Also the 100-300 f4 is supposed to be very good.

White lenses are for attention whores ;)

[Glen]

erm.....:thinking:

Sigma are proberbly the most popular '3rd' party lens manufacturer.

They do have some very good models.

I've got the 70-300mm APO Macro lens, I think its a good all rounder, not up to quality of the 70-200mm L, but at around £150 mark you can't go wrong.

Some peeps have different models in the range you might want to see if anyone comes by to give opinions.

[mrgubby]

White lenses are for attention whores ;)

Nikonite jealousy rears its head again :nono:







:p


//edit//

I have a Tamron 28-300 , it gives pretty good results but I'd happily swap it for a 70-200 f4 if you want to trade :D

[stevewestern]

Well, being new here, I don't want to upset anyone, but I slightly agree with the attention whores bit - nothing wrong with being proud, but it also puts a certain pressure to come up with the goods, and I am not sure I am good enough to take that pressure...

Glen - I dodn't mean to imply that I had not heard of Sigma - it was more a question of what lenses do they do in that range that stand out..
JoeT - are you talking Sigma here - I guess so, but..
Better go check out prices, and another thing - what does APO mean (in day to day use - is it a range of fairly good lenses or what ?) Do they have image stabilisation ?
And, thanks for the replies !

[Glen]

here you go...

http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/support/abbriviations.htm

http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/lenses/telezoom/70-300mmAPO.htm

[stevewestern]

Cheers Glen, but the 70-300 does not have OS (or IS in canon terms..)
I feel that it is a vital requirement for me..

[Joe T]

Unfortunately, not all that many Sigma lenses have OS, and it seems that those that do arent Sigma's best lenses. Canon are really your only choice for a good range of stablised lenses. They do some cheaper ones like the one I mentioned earlier.

[chouglez]

Take a look here steveinspain

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=20965

These were shot with my 28-300mm Tamron and you can buy a used one for around £135 or less and they are OK for your kinda requirement I guess.

[chouglez]

Correction Steve, the Tamron doesn't have the IS either but then IS is surely dear m8.

[Cobra]

I use the Canon 70-300 f4/5.6 is usm a lot of the time. "Its a lot better than I am" but seems to be a little soft at times at 300mm It cost me under £350 from Kerso ( he has and ebay store and is a member here If your interested my gallery link is below "most" of the pictures there were taken with that lens apart from the obvious close ups

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&page=1&ppuser=1870

[dod]

(we have plenty of light down here in Spain !)


Which by definition reduces the need for IS unless you are particularly shaky. There are actually a number of white lenses that aren't expensive, I think it's cosina who makes them. Point being, nobody but you will know what it costs, A large lens is going to look expensive to someone who doesn't know anything about cameras anyway so you're as well getting the lens you want and sod the rest :p

[Richard T]

I have the canon 70-300IS tis a cracking lens and I think i got a good copy

[stevewestern]

Thanks - I have added a Canon 70-300 IS to my order with Kerso - now to get some filters sorted...

[dougdarter]

Have a hunt around, and see if you can find an old 100-300 5.6L.

It has a non rotating front element (push pull), and an older linear AF motor.

These lenses can still be found in perfect nick for around £150, and best of all, it's a real 'L' lens.

Spares are easy, because you can buy the non L version for £100 or so.

Old fashioned maybe, but it's a brilliant lens. I only sold my copy a few months ago when I bought the 500 5.6.

[stevewestern]

Doug - you say 'have a hunt around' - where ? are there any good S/H sites that you know of ?

[dougdarter]

I don't know if they have any at the moment, but when I sold mine, LCS had two in stock, one at £99!!!!!, and one at £159. Must be worth giving them a ring.

Keep looking. It's a BRILL lens for the dosh!

Here's a review:

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_100300_56/index.htm

[stevewestern]

LCS - what ?
Please explain - a google came up with lots of tosh, and nothing to help..

[dougdarter]

LCS - what ?
Please explain - a google came up with lots of tosh, and nothing to help..

Sorry Steve. Typo error. Should have been LCE (London Camera Exchange).

I had a quick search of all my favourite suppliers, but couldn't find one. They do crop up quite often though.

Doug

[Bolerus]

always worth having a look on ebay. often get a good selection on there, and most users are decent people who will do their best to answer your questions etc

[stevewestern]

Well, I have now ordered a canon 70-300, so am sorted on that, have emailed teamwork about filters, and am getting help on a bag to lug it around in.
Seems like all I need to do is start learning how to use it.. Worst bit is that it will start arriving at Mums in London soon, and I am still in Spain for another 10 days...
oh wel, down to the beach to help while away the time till then (if only - I am working hard till then, but did have lunch on the beach in my shorts today - I gather it has been raining recently in the UK..?)

Cheers all, and any more help much appreciated !
Steve

[Shorn]

Where abouts in Spain ??

[stevewestern]

Shorn - near Almeria - about an hours drive east, inland a bit - away from tourists, surrounded by peasant farmers and a little different from east London where we moved from...

[Dark Star]

Steve - anywhere near Torrox?

[stevewestern]

Dark Star - Where ??
Guess that's a NO then..
Never heard of Torrox

Do a google for Lubrin - wade past the vaginal lubricant and you will find my village. Inland of Mojacar, a tourist spot some may have heard of, but still fairly Spanish, laid back and gentle,. and if anyone ever says 'Sunny Spain', then kick them in the whotsits - it is bloody cold in winter, and much more extreme, and then after a few minutes of spring, it is bloody hot, and 23,000,00000000000000000000000000 flies and wasps appear. Then the tourists arrive. Not sure which is worse, but going shopping in the summer makes a 3 hour return journey a 7 hour test.
Wouldn't leave unless I really needed to though.

[Shorn]

Thanks Steve, I visit Mojacar on a regular basis, we have several friends out there, Turre and Sopalmo also.
Will be moving our arses over there within the next three years.

[King_Boru]

Also the 100-300 f4 is supposed to be very good.

Aye, very good indeed :-) (check sig).

Would you consider the new Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 (http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/lenses/dclenses/50-150mmEX.htm)? It is small, got a fast aperture and is said to be one of the best Sigma lenses to date, image quality is superb and it is very affordable. On your 300D/30D it will have a field of view of 80-240mm (on 35mm equiv.). I will actually be rdering one for my D200 soon.

King.

EDIT: It looks biger than it actually is (no jokes now lads). I tested it out in a local shop and it is no bigger than a standard 70-300 zoom,... Nice, covert zoom.

[stevewestern]

Thanks Steve, I visit Mojacar on a regular basis, we have several friends out there, Turre and Sopalmo also.
Will be moving our arses over there within the next three years.

Shorn - not wanting to be too clever, but why not move all of your body out here - just your arse might be a bit of a bum move...

[BBW]

Steve - DO A GOOGLE FOR TORROX.

:|