exchanging but which lens??

N

nuttyhannah

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No
I bought the
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

But so far I not that impressed.
Im not sure if it because my camera does it now justice.. I have the 450D.
But i just thought it seemed very light and cheap.. Also its been making weird noises. Too loud for wildlife i think.. So i'm returning. Any ideas on what to swop it for.. ?

Its for a trip to Africa..
 
Difficult, because you'll want as long a lens as possible for wildlife.
An approximate budget would be good, a long with what you intend to do with the lens after the trip.

If it is purely for a trip I would consider contacting a company that hire lenses (lensesforhire is good) and see if you can work a deal on a nice lens that you'll get the most out of. Of course you'll have to tell them that you plan to take it to Africa!

Also, is there any particular reason you are not impressed? If you post some of the unimpressive shots, someone here may be able to pinpoint the issue.

Mike
 
Mike_J_Smith said:
Difficult, because you'll want as long a lens as possible for wildlife.
An approximate budget would be good, a long with what you intend to do with the lens after the trip.

If it is purely for a trip I would consider contacting a company that hire lenses (lensesforhire is good) and see if you can work a deal on a nice lens that you'll get the most out of. Of course you'll have to tell them that you plan to take it to Africa!

Also, is there any particular reason you are not impressed? If you post some of the unimpressive shots, someone here may be able to pinpoint the issue.

Mike
Click to expand...

just been looking at the prices for hiring.. I guess thats a good option.
Althou i do often find my self wishing i had a zoom lens anyway.. and i tend to travel quite a bit. So would find it useful. I spent £400 on this lens. But I prefer to have better quality images rather than zoom. Hence why I am now thinking of the 55-200 lens .. as its got so much great feedback and sounds like the images are good quality..

.. ahhh...
 
I think you will find the 70-300mm has both a better image and build quality than the 55-250mm. If you are travelling to Africa for wildlife then you will require as much zoom as you can afford. I would suggest you think carefully before changing to the 55-250mm.
 
I have a friend that use's the same set up as you have for wildlife but his lens is quite.

If you have just got the lens I would get it changed for another copy as both the 450 and 70-300 is can produce good images.
 
Agreed, if you want better image quality than the 70-300 without sacrificing length, then you're looking at the 100-400 or it's rivals. Would it be possible for you to post some example shots, it would be helpful in giving you advice. Are you using a filter, support, etc?

Chris
 
Is this your first 300mm Lens?

Examples would be handy before you go switching for something else. Shooting at 300mm takes some getting used to and some practise - unfortunatly is it rare to get instant great shots at that range, even with IS.
 
I posted on the other thread about the lens being noisy, but I'll re-iterate here...
You'll not get a better zoom for the money. Reviews of the lens refer to it a a hidden "L" in regards to IQ etc...
Is it just the fact that the lens is noisy that's putting you off, or are the pictures you're getting with it not that good? If it's just the noise, get it swapped. If it's the pictures, post up some example (with EXIF) and we may be able to help.
Your 450D will get some great pictures with the 70-300, but it take a bit of practice to use a long lens well. At 300mm, the slightest movement of the front optic will produce massive movement on the sensor. The IS will correct some of this, but it's not magic unfortunately.

As mentioned earlier, are you using a UV/skylight filter? Are you using a lens hood? Have you tried a tripod mounted shot (turn the IS off when tripod mounted). Have you got the IS in the correct mode for what you're shooting?
 
ok guys.. totally taking in all the info you've posted.. If you think its user error then your prob right.. as I have rushed my decisions and i have rushed trying it out... I know that most people rate this lens.

So maybe i need to get use to it.. I will try taking some shots and posting them.. I am still an amateur photographer.

So maybe its just the using of the lens..

how will a lens hood help with this lens..
 
I previously had the 75-300mm USM III which is an inferior lens to the one you have, but it still produced some good images.
75-300mm IS is a great lens and one i would have gone for when upgrading, but i just had to get a 70-200mm L.

Lots of good advice above. Most important thing is to take your time and enjiy your camera. Once you do this is great photo's will start happening.
 
Lens hood will stop stray light entering the lens and giving you flare and will protect the front element of the lens as the hood is very deep.
Cheap (and some expensive) filters can degrade IQ. Take it off if there's one attached to the lens, use the lens hood for protection instead.

Also bear in mind that you need to keep your shutter speed above 1/(focal length * crop factor). The 450D has a 1.6 crop, so at 300mm, your shutter speed needs to be faster than 1/480. You should be able to get slower than that due to the IS, but start there first and work down.

Then have a google for long lens techniques. You need to be holding the lens as steady as possible to get sharp shots.

Then it's just down to practice I'm afraid.

The motor sport stuff on my flickr (link in sig above) was all shot using this lens on a 450D if you want some idea of what sort of quality you should be getting.
 
There is some good advice been given here already.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is mabe get a monopod or a bean bag to practice keeping it steady with - in Africa these will be ideal to keep your camera steady and make life easier for you! Depending on where you go depends on whether to get a bean bag or monopod though.

As for the focal length, stick with the 70-300, or rent (or buy if you have enough cash) something like a 100-400.

Whatever you choose to do, enjoy your trip! Where abouts are you going?
 
Strangways said:
I think you will find the 70-300mm has both a better image and build quality than the 55-250mm. If you are travelling to Africa for wildlife then you will require as much zoom as you can afford. I would suggest you think carefully before changing to the 55-250mm.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I disagree! The 70-300mm IS, may be slightly better than the 55-250mm IS, but certainly not the 70-300mm! I have the 55-250mm IS and it is a cracking lens for the money! I have never regretted selling the 70-330 and buying this lens. IF you can go to the 70-300mm IS, then by all means go for that, but remember the length/weight/etc! The 55-250mm IS on the other hand is quite a bit more compact, and would you really miss the extra 50mm?
 
wontolla said:
Sorry, but I disagree! The 70-300mm IS, may be slightly better than the 55-250mm IS, but certainly not the 70-300mm! I have the 55-250mm IS and it is a cracking lens for the money! I have never regretted selling the 70-330 and buying this lens. IF you can go to the 70-300mm IS, then by all means go for that, but remember the length/weight/etc! The 55-250mm IS on the other hand is quite a bit more compact, and would you really miss the extra 50mm?
Click to expand...

Just an observation.

OP already has the 70-300mm IS, so I don't think there is any question of him going for it or not. I think Gordon was referring to op's current lens as the 70-300mm
 
The problems arise because there are several similar variations of this lens, please clarify which one you have.

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM lens
The above 2 are mediocre at best the the IS version is actually discontinued. Cheap budget lenses usually thrown in as part of the camera bundle.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Lens
There's the DO version, which uses Diffractive Optics, compact, useful for a holiday lens, but soft and not worth the extra $$$$$

Then there's the Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Lens. Budget zoom, but a little gem of a lens, OK probably not L series optics, but for the $$$$ its a very good budget zoom

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

The 55-250mm is an ok budget lens, but wouldn't class it with quality optic's, and is behind the 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM lens in my opinion.

As for a wildlife lens, it depends whether you're going to a private game reserve or a national park like the Kurgar in South Africa. You might get away with a 300mm lens in the private reserve as you can get reasonably close to the animals, but 300mm definitely not long enough for the national parks.

Even 2nd hand you're probably looking at £500 for something like the sigma 120-400mm f4.5-5.6
 
nuttyhannah said:
I bought the
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

But so far I not that impressed.
Im not sure if it because my camera does it now justice.. I have the 450D.
But i just thought it seemed very light and cheap.. Also its been making weird noises. Too loud for wildlife i think.. So i'm returning. Any ideas on what to swop it for.. ?

Its for a trip to Africa..
Click to expand...

Hi,

This must be the lens you just bought for your trip to the Gambia a few days ago? If I remember correctly, in that post you were getting it for £340 from a company you have a business account with?

Perhaps post some photo's that you took there for guidance before deciding to change the body or lens? Could be that you have just not got used to it as you have not had it very long.

Cheers,

Tracey
 
Tinkie said:
Hi,

This must be the lens you just bought for your trip to the Gambia a few days ago? If I remember correctly, in that post you were getting it for £340 from a company you have a business account with?

Perhaps post some photo's that you took there for guidance before deciding to change the body or lens? Could be that you have just not got used to it as you have not had it very long.

Cheers,

Tracey
Click to expand...


Hi Tracey

thanks for your reply..

Need to understand photography more i think, judging by everyones comments.. As everyone thinks the lens is great but the user is not.. lol..
I just thought it seemed cheap. I returned it today.. and i can buy one at a later date
My trip as been postponed so i have time now..

Thanks for all your feedback..
 
I would say it obviously depends on budget but the Canon EF70-200 F4 would be around £400 used, a Sigma 100-300 F4 would be a great option for the Safari.
If you have a large budget the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 wuld be ideal.
 
Hi,

Don't be too hard on yourself; us beginners can't expect to run before we are walking!

Sorry the lens didn't work out for you and that your trip has been delayed.

Give you chance to consider what to get next though; good luck with that.

Best wishes,

Tracey
 
For Africa I would seriously consider fully weather sealed lens and body. Sand storms and otherwise bad weather can do a lot of damage. Sand is perhaps the worst.

In that case we have 70-200mm L IS lenses (f/4 and f/2.8), and a a few more, and 1-series or 7d bodies.
 
Jim.R said:
Lens hood will stop stray light entering the lens and giving you flare and will protect the front element of the lens as the hood is very deep.
Cheap (and some expensive) filters can degrade IQ. Take it off if there's one attached to the lens, use the lens hood for protection instead.

Also bear in mind that you need to keep your shutter speed above 1/(focal length * crop factor). The 450D has a 1.6 crop, so at 300mm, your shutter speed needs to be faster than 1/480. You should be able to get slower than that due to the IS, but start there first and work down.

Then have a google for long lens techniques. You need to be holding the lens as steady as possible to get sharp shots.

Then it's just down to practice I'm afraid.

The motor sport stuff on my flickr (link in sig above) was all shot using this lens on a 450D if you want some idea of what sort of quality you should be getting.
Click to expand...

what about the wildlife on flickr.. what camera were you using..? Wicked wildlife pics..
 
nuttyhannah said:
Need to understand photography more i think, judging by everyones comments.. As everyone thinks the lens is great but the user is not.. lol..
Click to expand...

No-one's having a go at your ability, just suggesting you take some time to get used to using the lens.
Think of it as being like buying a new gun, then taking it back because you don't hit anything with it on your first shooting trip. There's nothing wrong with the gun or the shooter, but until you've learnt how best to use it, zeroed the sights as it were, you're not going to get the best results out of it.

nuttyhannah said:
what about the wildlife on flickr.. what camera were you using..? Wicked wildlife pics..
Click to expand...

Yeah, all the wildlife stuff on there was taken using that lens as well, apart fro mthe cat ones (well, she can be wild sometimes!).
To give you an idea how important length is when shooting wildlife, the squirrels were no more than 6 feet from me (greedy little so-and-so's at centre parcs, not phased by human presence at all!!) and I still had to crop slightly to get them to fill the frame.

And thanks for the compliment on the pics :D
 
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