What lens next?!

James306

James306

Messages
418
Name
James
Edit My Images
Yes
I am currently shooting with a 10D and Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and am shortly buying a 40D. I'm now wondering what lens to invest in.

I would like something with a bit of reach as i'm currently limited to 50mm. I've been (naturally) looking at the 70-200mm f2.8 IS USM L as I have borrowed one for an event and fell in love with it ,but that is a little way off my budget at the moment, so am also looking at the 70-200 f4 IS L as a possibilty until the budget goes up. I know i'm looking at the higher end of the spectrum but I have this horrible habit of thinking why settle for less.

What other lenses would people recomend looking at in this sort of focal range? I'm quite happy to consider third party brands but there are quite a few out there so wanted to hear from people who own/use them to see how they compare.
 
How about adding to the 17-50 with a Canon 55-250 IS, a suprisingly good sharp lens and cheap as chips!
 
well you have the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 but apparently it has slow AF. If it as me then i would really have to think 'do I need f2.8?' some people like to have the availability of going to f2.8 but they very rarely go below f5.6. I would probably go for the f4 especially as it's lighter and cheaper. have you tried them out in the shop because handling is very important and you need to realise the sort of weight your comfortable carrying, it's all well and good buying a heavy f2.8 but if it's too heavy for you to cope with then you won't take it out much and thus you'll get no pictures compared to carrying the lighter f4.
 
Is 200mm the maximum focal length you require, do you need to go further, what are you intending to take photo's of, do you need a f2.8 or an f4 lens?, what's your budget and have you considered a 2nd hand lens. Are you specifically after a zoom?

Camtech, MPB, ffordes, Mifsuds, Park Camera's, Digital Depot are good places to get 2nd hand equipment.
 
The 55-250mm IS is a good budget option, but I would like to stick with EF fit lenses so I can still use with the 10D.

The weight of the f2.8 isn't an issue, I have borrowed one for a weekend event which included wondering around shooting most of the day. I don't mind a bit of weight.

To be honest, I don't need f2.8 but it would be useful, I do some motorsport when I go to track events so it useful for panning shots to get the slower shutter speed. I know there are ways around this but I would like the option to stop down to 2.8

I am intending to buy second hand for sure, better lens for the money.

I don't know if I would use it much past 200mm for the time being, if I went for an L series lens from the higher price bracket I would eventually invest in an extender perhaps.
 
Just thought worth adding I will be doing some sailing photography with it also. Another reason the f2.8 would be great being weathersealed. Not sure if the f4 is.

Why do I always try to talk myself into buying the most expensive option... :cuckoo::bonk:
 
Most L lenses are weather sealed to an extent, but the 40D isn't sadly.:bang:
 
James306 said:
Just thought worth adding I will be doing some sailing photography with it also. Another reason the f2.8 would be great being weathersealed. Not sure if the f4 is.

Why do I always try to talk myself into buying the most expensive option... :cuckoo::bonk:
Click to expand...

Let's face it James. You're only ever gonna be satisfied with the 2.8.
You'll have to find a way to own it !!
 
trevorbray said:
Let's face it James. You're only ever gonna be satisfied with the 2.8.
Click to expand...

Agree on that, however I can't afford it at the moment.

I guess the real question is (without me trying to convince myself to get a loan/sell a kidney) what is affordable in the interim. I would be willing to spend up to £5-600. Preferably with IS, and that focal range is a rough guide on what I want. I would consider going longer.

The canon 70-200 f4 is going to be a bargain if I pick one up within the price range, but very unlikely to do so.

Tamron 70-200 f2.8, someone said has a slow autofocus.

Main uses for this lens are going to be Motorsport, track events, sailing and possibly some candid.
 
James306 said:
Worth considering, anyone with experience with the non-IS version?
Click to expand...

Its a great lens, optically as good, if not slightly better than the IS MKI version, but probably nothing noticeable, if you don't need IS (and for motorsport you don't) is a cheaper alternative to the more expensive IS version.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top