Choice of Zoom Lens?

[desewer]

Hi guys, newbie here.

I'm thinking of getting a telezoom lens to take wildlife shots, sports photography, macro shots, etc. So I narrowed my choices to these lenses:

1. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM
2. Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Zoom Macro Super II
3. Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL MACRO SUPER

L lenses are out of the question as I do not need that kind of performance, (nor can I afford them )

Online prices for these lenses, #1 costs about $500, #2 costs $528 (non-II version) and #3 $398.

Can anybody recommend which lens is the best buy for me? I'm using a Canon 20D body. IMO, the APO on #2 will held reduce chromatic aberrations, and the MACRO in the name will also make for good macro shots, right? Lens #3 should come with hood, etc, as it is a Deluxe lens?

Also, I've seen in this forum people posting that lens #2 can be bought for around $335 at CP/AP.

Suggestions and comments are most welcome!

[+evenstar]

Originally Posted by desewer Hi guys, newbie here. I'm thinking of getting a telezoom lens to take wildlife shots, sports photography, macro shots, etc. So I narrowed my choices to these lenses: 1. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM 2. Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Zoom Macro Super II 3. Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL MACRO SUPER L lenses are out of the question as I do not need that kind of performance, (nor can I afford them ) Online prices for these lenses, #1 costs about $500, #2 costs $528 (non-II version) and #3 $398. Can anybody recommend which lens is the best buy for me? I'm using a Canon 20D body. IMO, the APO on #2 will held reduce chromatic aberrations, and the MACRO in the name will also make for good macro shots, right? Lens #3 should come with hood, etc, as it is a Deluxe lens? Also, I've seen in this forum people posting that lens #2 can be bought for around $335 at CP/AP. Suggestions and comments are most welcome!

I bought my Sigma 70-300 APO Macro SUper II at TCW for $330. Comes with hood

[nickmak]

Originally Posted by desewer Hi guys, newbie here. I'm thinking of getting a telezoom lens to take wildlife shots, sports photography, macro shots, etc. So I narrowed my choices to these lenses: 1. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM 2. Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Zoom Macro Super II 3. Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL MACRO SUPER L lenses are out of the question as I do not need that kind of performance, (nor can I afford them ) Online prices for these lenses, #1 costs about $500, #2 costs $528 (non-II version) and #3 $398. Can anybody recommend which lens is the best buy for me? I'm using a Canon 20D body. IMO, the APO on #2 will held reduce chromatic aberrations, and the MACRO in the name will also make for good macro shots, right? Lens #3 should come with hood, etc, as it is a Deluxe lens? Also, I've seen in this forum people posting that lens #2 can be bought for around $335 at CP/AP. Suggestions and comments are most welcome!

If you want quiet operation, go for Canon.
If you want everything else except quiet operation, get the others.
Have you considered the EF100-300?

[nickmak]

Originally Posted by +evenstar I bought my Sigma 70-300 APO Macro SUper II at TCW for $330. Comes with hood

If you want quiet operation, go for the Canon.
If you want better quality in terms of image quality etc., go for the others.
Have you considered the Canon EF100-300?

[erwinx]

Originally Posted by desewer Hi guys, newbie here. I'm thinking of getting a telezoom lens to take wildlife shots, sports photography, macro shots, etc. So I narrowed my choices to these lenses: 1. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM 2. Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Zoom Macro Super II 3. Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL MACRO SUPER

These lenses will be fine for travel photography, taking pictures of your pets and other general use. However, none of these lenses can be recommended for wildlife, sports and macro. You'll most likely be wasting your time using these lenses to do so.

[dkw]

Originally Posted by desewer Hi guys, newbie here. I'm thinking of getting a telezoom lens to take wildlife shots, sports photography, macro shots, etc. So I narrowed my choices to these lenses: 1. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM 2. Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Zoom Macro Super II 3. Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL MACRO SUPER L lenses are out of the question as I do not need that kind of performance, (nor can I afford them ) Online prices for these lenses, #1 costs about $500, #2 costs $528 (non-II version) and #3 $398. Can anybody recommend which lens is the best buy for me? I'm using a Canon 20D body. IMO, the APO on #2 will held reduce chromatic aberrations, and the MACRO in the name will also make for good macro shots, right? Lens #3 should come with hood, etc, as it is a Deluxe lens? Also, I've seen in this forum people posting that lens #2 can be bought for around $335 at CP/AP. Suggestions and comments are most welcome!

Between the 3, #2 has been rated as the best optically, and I really liked it for the short time I had it. Go to DPReview.com for some more info. Its a good all around lens for the price (new should be about $330), but don't expect too much in terms of sports or wild-life photography.

My recommendation--> Bite the bullet now and buy a Sigma 70-200/2.8 HSM or Canon 70-200/4L. New will be about 1.2K, used maybe sub 1K. A world of difference in responsiveness and image quality.......and you will eventually buy it anyway! Its a crying shame to own a 20D and not fit it with a decent lens to maximise its qualities, like putting diesel into a Ferrari

Regards,

[user111]

200mm on digital body may not be long enough for wildlife..but for the rest (sports, macro, portrait) should be ok. best is to go to the store try the lenses out

[nightwolf75]

with a 20D, its a crying shame to use mid-level lenses, as listed down by u. do consider wat dkw has suggested abt the sigma?

btw, wat wildlife are u shooting and where? if u talking abt zoo, 70-200mm might not be long enuf to frame the animals properly unless u (a) dun mind cropping in PS, or (b) use extender tubes. i saw some animal shooters in CS use 100-300mm lenses, minimum. my colleagues, who are also wildlife and sports shooters, get round by stacking extender tubes.

zoom lens does not make good macro lens. suggest u get a dedicated macro lens like the tamron 90mm/f2.8 to shoot macro. u can refer to sites like www.fredmiranda.com or www.pcphotoreview.com for reviews and references on lenses.

[desewer]

power... power...

Thanks for all the advice. Cannot get L lens now lah brudders... If I do so then definitely got no $$$ for my wedding later.

Sigh... got 10k++ in cash/nets but cannot BUY BUY BUY

lol

[Adam Goi]

Originally Posted by desewer power... power... Thanks for all the advice. Cannot get L lens now lah brudders... If I do so then definitely got no $$$ for my wedding later. Sigh... got 10k++ in cash/nets but cannot BUY BUY BUY lol

Very sensible indeed!

Save up for the event of the lifetime! Photography is just an interest ... there'll always be a time and place for it!

[desewer]

Not to mention my wife2B will 'kok' me on the head for spending the $$$ like that! Wait wedding nite never "get" liao... sad sad sad hahahhaha

[nickmak]

Originally Posted by desewer Not to mention my wife2B will 'kok' me on the head for spending the $$$ like that! Wait wedding nite never "get" liao... sad sad sad hahahhaha

Life's more important. Photography captures life onto a piece of film... or memory card...

[Virgo]

"get" liao then buy. This is what I did.

Originally Posted by desewer Not to mention my wife2B will 'kok' me on the head for spending the $$$ like that! Wait wedding nite never "get" liao... sad sad sad hahahhaha

[jsbn]

Well, if one is not really demanding or is juz shooting for a hobby, a Sigma will do. Honestly.

But if one's taking photos seriously, and ur life and rice bowl depends on it and u and ur clients demands nothing but the best of the best, den dun hold back liao. Buy-buy-buy.

My 2 cents on it.

[Stoned]

Ok another shameless advertisment

Sigma 100-300/4 with IF and HSM available! Less expensive than Ls but performance is top notch. 1k only for a great sporting and wildlife lens PM if interested

I'm also clearing the AMSII (your 2nd option) at $280

[desewer]

Originally Posted by jsbn Well, if one is not really demanding or is juz shooting for a hobby, a Sigma will do. Honestly. But if one's taking photos seriously, and ur life and rice bowl depends on it and u and ur clients demands nothing but the best of the best, den dun hold back liao. Buy-buy-buy. My 2 cents on it.

I agree totally... I won't suffer from unemployment if I don't have an L lens!

Thanks guys! I've decided to get the Sigma AMS II after all...