is this lens any good???

smurf123

smurf123

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Rob
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Ok I am still new to this but was looking at upgrading my kit lens Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DC Lens & Canon EF-S 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III DC Lens I got the twin lens pack from jessops. Most of my photography is short oval motor sport and general family stuff

I was looking at getting a http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-55-250mm-Telephoto-Selected-Digital/dp/tech-data/B000V9D5LG/ref=de_a_smtd but was also thinking about something to fit in the gap between what have

Somebody on another forum (not a photography one) has recommended this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamron-AF-28-300MM-F-3-5-6-3-XR-Di-LD-IF-Lens-Canon-/260893700756?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item3cbe79f294#ht_540wt_1270as a better all rounder than the 2 lens I have at present . So what do people think is it any good or should I stick with my first idea then look for a proper macro lens (after saving up again)

thanks in advance Rob
 
smurf123 said:
Ok I am still new to this but was looking at upgrading my kit lens Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DC Lens & Canon EF-S 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III DC Lens I got the twin lens pack from jessops. Most of my photography is short oval motor sport and general family stuff

I was looking at getting a http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-55-250mm-Telephoto-Selected-Digital/dp/tech-data/B000V9D5LG/ref=de_a_smtd but was also thinking about something to fit in the gap between what have

Somebody on another forum (not a photography one) has recommended this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tamron-AF-28-300MM-F-3-5-6-3-XR-Di-LD-IF-Lens-Canon-/260893700756?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item3cbe79f294#ht_540wt_1270as a better all rounder than the 2 lens I have at present . So what do people think is it any good or should I stick with my first idea then look for a proper macro lens (after saving up again)

thanks in advance Rob
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First off don't buy that Tamron, its awful as far as I know. The Canon 55-250 is a good value lens, I used to have it and its possible to get some good results out of it.

Other alternatives without busting the bank are 70-300 4-5.6 IS, and Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SP Di VC USD. If you want to go a step further then think about the 70-200 F4L.
 
hmmmm I'm a nikon but no. Don't do the 28-300.

In theory its good - all in one lens
And if you are just starting its probably good.
But if you've had a taste of crispness / iq in pictures then you wont like them.


For Canon and oval racing a fair distance? have a look at the 100-400?
If lighting isn't going to be great, perhaps a static f# (like a 300 f4? or towards a 2.8).

If you can, before buying either hire the lens you want or see if someone on a meet near you would let you borrow it for a short time. You'd get to see whether you want the lens or not.
 
Hi Rob

The 55-250IS lens is a cracker of a lens for the price

If you can stretch a bit more the Canon 70-300 IS is a belter of a lens
 
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I've had a Tamron 28-300, it's not a bad lens as such. Its just not very sharp at either end, but from 50-250ish its pretty good. The vibration control is very good on it but from your link to the listing it's not VC anyway.
If you want a good, sharp lens at a good price the canon 55-250 IS is the one to get. I brought mine for a 550D and 7D and mine is sharp from end to end. The only problem with mine is that the wife has got my 550D now and she's nicked it.
As for the Sigma 50 I haven't used one but by all accounts it's a good quick lens with good IQ. Might just have a punt on that myself if it stays that low.
 
smurf123 said:
just been looking this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280772262872?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_577wt_1270 has anybody used this and have any idea what its like .............. I know I should be spending as much as I can afford but as I'm still quite new to photography I don't want to spend too much to decide it's something I'm not interested in as my main thing is Motorsport and we need a new race car for next year as the kids want to race lol

Rob :thumbs:
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Hi

We've the Sigma 50mm macro lens and it is very good. Wonderfully sharp and nice colour rendition. It's a great lens to start your macro work off with.
 
Depending on budget you could go for a Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS at about £230, or a Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS at about £300 (which would be my choice if you can get a good one) or a Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM at about £650 if money is no object. If I could get the Sigma 17-70 to go on a full frame I'd have got one with my 5D2 instead of a 24-105 f4 L, cause it would of been perfect with a 70-200 f4 L for me.
 
If you can afford it you could also consider going the route I did and get a set of Kenko DG AF extension tubes and a 50mm f1.8 lens - gives cracking macro shots very cheaply compared to alternatives:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/sets/72157625975281497/

You can also use the extension tubes on telephoto lenses for a variable macro lens.

If you can wait I personally would go for the 70-300mm L IS USM lens for the best of all possible worlds - coupled with the Kenko tubes you can take excellent close up shots from a few feet away of things like butterflies etc:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20926615@N05/sets/72157623715955928/

the last 25 or so shots of that set were all taken with a combination of the 70-300mm L IS USM lens.


Or the 70-300mm IS USM lens is an excellent alternative (Non IS) at a much lower price and also gives very good close up pics with the Kenko tubes.

.

.
 
thanks peter I will say the 70-300L is way out of my price range but would be nice :) the tubes are a nice idea as i have been thinking about getting a 50mm so for relatively little extra cost I would have a nice step into Macro

Thanks again guys Rob
 
Got to ask - all this talk of new lenses but what are you missing from your current lineup.

Filling the gap in the range really is not that important...

Now getting that macro lens - well that is different. Gives you a chance to try something new :)
 
smurf123 said:
more than anything i am wanting IS and stepping up from the kit lens but I also want a try at macro but dont want to spend a fortune,but I think thats the yorkshire man in me lol
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Get a Raynox DCR-250 or 150 (£40 Amazon) and pop it on the 55-250 - might be all you ever need for macro. Here's a selection of images I prepared earlier :D http://www.flickr.com/groups/raynoxdcr250/
 
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