Best budget telephoto for Canon?

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naxtek

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Andrew
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Hi everyone,

I'm fairly new to photography, but I'm building up my kit.

I've had an EOS 500D for about a year now, and in the mean time have accumulated (in addition to the 18-55 kit lens) a 50mm prime f1.8 portrait lens.

For the past few months I've borrowed a friend's Sigma 70-300 lens (it's the cheap, non APO version). I've captured some great shots with it, but I'd like my own now and something hopefully a little better. I find that lens slightly soft and the colours aren't always great.

The lens needs to be versatile - I have no specific purpose in mind. Perhaps a little motor sport photography.

Budget is up to around £300, ideally less.

I think I've narrowed it down to these options new:
£150 - Sigma AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG APO
£300 - Tamron SP AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di VC USD
£320 - Canon 70-300mm IS USM f4.0-5.6


Or second hand from my local London Camera Exchange, I could get:
£230 - Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM


What would be best? Or is there another option I've missed out?
 
Given the choices, I would be tempted to stump for the Tamron, it is by all accounts a truly excellent lens.

Give the 75-300mm a wide berth, they really are quite poor and you could pick up the superior 70-300mm IS used for about £260
 
Put the Canon 55-250mm IS on your list. Best value Tele lens on the (Canon) market.
 
Maybe consider the Canon 55-250 IS, very good for the price

*Edit* Just beaten to it there by Baz
 
The Tamron 70-300 VC is a very strong lens indeed, other than that I agree with these two.
 
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I'd also vote for the Tamron (or the Canon 55-250 if you can't stretch to it). The Tamron would be great for motorsports photography and is especially good at longer distances. I use the Tamron for motorsports instead of the Canon 70-200mm f/4 IS that I also own, as the extended range is very useful and the difference in quality is minor.
 
Another vote for the Tamron 70-300VC here.
 
Interesting, thanks for all your responses.

So it looks like either this one:
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-ef-s-55-250mm/MTIxMjc_A

or this one:
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/tamron-sp-af-70-300mm/MTMyNzQ_A

Choices choices. I think I'm swaying towards the Tamron - the extra 50mm at the wide end could come in really handy! Although the price of the Canon is great, if it is as good a lens as you all say it is!


By the way, do people rate DigitalRev? I've heard their name about a lot, but never bought anything from them. They seem cheaper than everywhere else...
 
naxtek said:
Interesting, thanks for all your responses.

So it looks like either this one:
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-ef-s-55-250mm/MTIxMjc_A

or this one:
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/tamron-sp-af-70-300mm/MTMyNzQ_A

Choices choices. I think I'm swaying towards the Tamron - the extra 50mm at the wide end could come in really handy! Although the price of the Canon is great, if it is as good a lens as you all say it is!


By the way, do people rate DigitalRev? I've heard their name about a lot, but never bought anything from them. They seem cheaper than everywhere else...
Click to expand...

Optically there doesnt look to be a great deal between them so the differences I see are...

1.The Canon gives you more width and links in directly with your 18-55mm, the Tamron more reach.

2.The Tamron is a full frame lens so would still work if you upgraded to a 6D/5D/etc sometime in the future, it performs well on FF aswell.

3.The Canon is 370g lighter than the Tamron, quite a signifcant difference, espeically on a 600D.

4.The Tamron is a bit better built with a metal rather than plastic mount.

5.The Tamron has a more advanced AF system, not in terms of speed but it should be a big quiter, you can always override AF without having to flip a switch and the front element doesnt rotate meaning you don't need to adjust a polarizer after focusing.

Digitalrev probabley have the best reputation of any of the foreign grey importers, beware though that sometimes manifactuirers will not honour warrenties for such imports.
 
naxtek said:
Interesting that no one said much about the Canon IS USM lens, is it best avoided?

http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-ef-70-300mm-f/OTE0
Click to expand...

The Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS is a great lens, probably just niks it in the performance stakes over the 55-250mm, but the reason why that always gets a mention is its price.

Depends if you want xx-200mm or xx-300mm The canon 70-200mm f4 knocks the socks off all of the budget lenses in this range on IQs and performance, used prices around the £380-400 mark.

Another lens to consider if you're willing to fork out abit more and buy used is the sigma 100-300mm f4, another very good lens, but £480-550 (used)
 
I have the canon 75-300 f4-5.6 IS and it's a great lens. Excellent quality and I would highly recommend :)
 
DTS said:
I have the canon 75-300 f4-5.6 IS and it's a great lens. Excellent quality and I would highly recommend :)
Click to expand...

Hopefully you mean the 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS not the 75-300mm f4-5.6 which is a truely rubbish lens. Its Very confusing as canon make several xx-300mm lenses
 
Maybe I will try the 55-250 for now and upgrade to something better in the future. It's so cheap I wouldn't mind so much if I needed to replace it in 18 months with something better. Also, the Tamron does look like a big heavy beast - I thought the Sigma I have been using was heavy, but the Tamron is another 215g heavier than that!

My only concern with the Canon is the 50mm loss at the wide end. I'm just not sure if I'll miss it - especially as I've been using my friend's Sigma 70-300.

Every review I read sings the praises of the Canon 70-200mm f4 but I just can't justify spending that much, and I don't think 200mm at the wide end is enough.
 
pete.rush said:
Hopefully you mean the 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS not the 75-300mm f4-5.6 which is a truely rubbish lens. Its Very confusing as canon make several xx-300mm lenses
Click to expand...

Yes your right I was adamant it was 75mm so I went and checked and your right :S perhaps I should check I really have a 450d while I'm at it lol
 
naxtek said:
Maybe I will try the 55-250 for now and upgrade to something better in the future. It's so cheap I wouldn't mind so much if I needed to replace it in 18 months with something better. Also, the Tamron does look like a big heavy beast - I thought the Sigma I have been using was heavy, but the Tamron is another 215g heavier than that!

My only concern with the Canon is the 50mm loss at the wide end. I'm just not sure if I'll miss it - especially as I've been using my friend's Sigma 70-300.

Every review I read sings the praises of the Canon 70-200mm f4 but I just can't justify spending that much, and I don't think 200mm at the wide end is enough.
Click to expand...

Hi

Yes the Canon 55-250IS is a great lens and def worth a purchase, my daughter has one and gets some great shots with it. We've also the Canon 70-300IS lens at the moment and I'd certainly recommend one if funds allow.

Best advice if you can is to try them out and see what you think about them...
 
hi mate you dont have any worries ordering from digital revs! there prices beat most out there, delivery is outstanding!! ive ordered my 55-250 from them and it was here within a week, my friend ordered his 7d from them and it came in 2 days!!! even better then some uk crappy postage times! :) if you think some of these lenses are heavy have you seen this bazooka!!!!!!!!

http://www.digitalrev.com/product/sigma-apo-200-500mm-f2/MzU4NA_A_A


sigma-200-500 by tingting44, on Flickr
 
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I went for the Tamron in the end. Very pleased with it so far. Image quality is excellent, and the VR feature seems to work well. The only downside is the size and weight. It's a hefty beast. I might have to get a new camera bag :(

I'm worried about attaching such a heavy lens to the front of my 500d body. When hand holding, I will definitely support the lens which I think will be OK, but what about for tripod use? It seems like it will be putting a lot of pressure on the tripod screw and the lens mount... am I worrying about nothing?
 
It will be fine, Canon's 70-200 f/4 doesn't need a tripod ring and pretty sure it will be heavier than your new lens
 
naxtek said:
I went for the Tamron in the end. Very pleased with it so far. Image quality is excellent, and the VR feature seems to work well. The only downside is the size and weight. It's a hefty beast. I might have to get a new camera bag :(

I'm worried about attaching such a heavy lens to the front of my 500d body. When hand holding, I will definitely support the lens which I think will be OK, but what about for tripod use? It seems like it will be putting a lot of pressure on the tripod screw and the lens mount... am I worrying about nothing?
Click to expand...

Don't worry about it. Honestly. The lens mounts are pretty tough, as are the tripod screws. Although it pays to make sure your tripod plate covers as much area front to back on the base of your camera.

My canon 70-300mm weighs more than that Tamron, and I would have no concerns about tripod/monopod mounting.
 
Amazon in the end. I had some gift vouchers there, and I wasn't sure about warranty issues if buying it from DigitalRev. Cost me £285, but £35 of that was vouchers so cost me £250 in actual money :D

Thanks all for putting my mind at ease about the mounting.

By the way, that bazooka is crazy!
 
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nice one then mate :) look forward to seeing some pics :)

yes the bazooka is bladdy nuts lol i dont even think ive got long enough arms to be able to lean back enough to get my eye on the view finder lmao, id need a helper to help me lmao even take a single shot with the bazooka lool
 
I've been considering the Tamron. Today, had the chance to take some shots. Very impressed! It's focussing is fast and very quiet. I put it on my 600D with the battery grip. The balance is excellent. I'm disabled, and have osteoarthritis, but this lens was a pleasure to use. With the build quality and current price, I'm having one. I hope this helps??
 
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