Budget Telephoto Lens

Sko77y

Sko77y

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Scott
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Hi all,

Need a little help with a dilema I've gotten myself into. I am just getting into motorsport photography and require a telephoto lens to get me started (so I can stop borrowing a family friends). I have 2 events to cover which are in the middle of August and September.

Budget is £100-150 - not a huge ammount but road tax/moving flats has made me poor again. I would imagine that 2nd hand is the only available route.

From what I have read USM is pretty much a must, but finding anything remotely close to my budget is impossible.

I already have a f2.8 17-50mm Tamron and my camera is a Canon 450D.

I have considered a few ranges of lens: 18-125mm, 55-200mm, 55-250mm, 70-300mm. I haven't looked into a tele-converter as of yet.

Its a case of I need a lens so which is going to suit me best and not hold me back too much.

Thank you in advance

Scott
 
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Hi,

To be honest, for that budget, you wouldn't get very much im afraid. Have you looked at the old Sigma 70-300? You could probably pick up a new one for your budget.
 
Nikon_Nick said:
Hi,

To be honest, for that budget, you wouldn't get very much im afraid. Have you looked at the old Sigma 70-300? You could probably pick up a new one for your budget.
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Thanks Nick, sadly I've no other funds - its asking a lot from my pennies. I have condsidered one but after looking into reviews tghe image quality drops off from 200-300. Perhaps a smaller range might be a trade off for better quality through the range.

Neil B said:
Canons best ever VFM lens

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/used-lenses/used-canon-fit-lenses/canon-ef-s-55-250mm-f/4-5.6-is/
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Thanks for the input Neil, I've looked at that exact lens a few times. seeems to be what I'm after but no USM - which is recomended for panning shots. I had to google what VFM meant :bonk: I think it mite be worth a punt at that sort of price though - money left for a monopod/filter etc.

Thanks guys.
 
Sko77y said:
Thanks for the input Neil, I've looked at that exact lens a few times. seeems to be what I'm after but no USM - which is recomended for panning shots.
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You don't need USM for panning, this was shot with the 55-250mm.

IMG_0680b900-1.jpg~original
 
jm2 said:
You don't need USM for panning, this was shot with the 55-250mm.
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Excellent, thanks Joe. I only said USM as I thought it was for easier focusing on moving targets. But if its more technique than anything, problem solved!

Thanks for all the input guys, if only all problems were this easily solved.

Scott

Edit: on closer inspection that lens is in pretty poor condition, missing half the filter thread. There is a complete lens for £99 which is still within budget so still good news.
 
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srichards said:
If it is only 2 events you could either borrow the one you have borrowed before and bung them a few quid or hire something decent.

These canon ones are £50 odd for 3 days hire http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/product/canon-ef-70-300mm-f4.5-5.6-do-is-usm

http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/product/canon-ef-100-400mm-f4.5-5.6-l-is-usm
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Thankyou for the suggestion but the owner of the lens is actually moving abroad, in terms of renting I'd rather use what little money I have to purchase a lens. Perhaps I'll rent in future though.

Dave1 said:
I would agree, you would struggle to get better IQ at even double the price.

Check the classifieds here, I'm sure there is at least one advertised at present.
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Thanks Dave, the one I looked at had sold but a 2nd had come back up for sale as of 4 minutes ago. Hopefully get that one, but excellent timing.

Thanks
Scott
 
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