Which tele zoom lens you will choose?

wenx · 26th July 2005

Hi all, need your help again

. Recently, I am thinking of getting a relatively cheap used tele zoom lens. Below are those I shortlisted. I know these aren't great lens but hope to get the best out of my money. I am looking more importantly at image quality and AF speed (Ha... Don't suggest L lens because I ain't ready for it!) Hope owners of such lenses can shed some light on them. Thanks for your help!

1) Canon 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 USM

2) Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

3) Tamron AF 70-300MM F/4-5.6 LD Macro

4) Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro Super II

5) Sigma 100-300mm F4.5-6.7 DL

Which one will you choose?

PS: Any canon users who want to off-load their tele zoom lens can PM me too.

Denosha · 26th July 2005

This month's (July) Practical Photography recommended the Sigma 70-300 II APO Macro Super over a whole bunch of other lenses. Take note that this is the APO version, not the non-APO one u mentioned (the APO version has a red ring around the lens barrel, like a L rip-off). It's supposedly more expensive but much sharper.

sumball · 26th July 2005

70-200 f2.8 IS

+evenstar · 26th July 2005

Originally Posted by sumball

70-200 f2.8 IS

Thread starter already stated not to suggest L lens....

PM-ed you!!

DEADMETAL · 26th July 2005

Sigma 70-300mm, some mag stated value for money. Rated quite high.

mpenza · 26th July 2005

Originally Posted by wenx

4) Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro Super II

Go for the APO version. some pictures I've taken with the lens on a 300D:

http://mpenza.clubsnap.org/gallery/paragon03-1
http://mpenza.clubsnap.org/gallery/face2003

The focussing speed is actually pretty ok. The next step up (in terms of performance and cost) would be the 70-200 F4L, 70-300 DO IS, and the various 70-200F2.8 (from Canon and Sigma)

sumball · 26th July 2005

Originally Posted by +evenstar

Thread starter already stated not to suggest L lens....

PM-ed you!!

Ops, missed that. Then Sigma 70-200 f2.8 as mentioned by mpenza.

Garion · 26th July 2005

First off. What is your budget (i.e. max $$$ that u want to spend on the lens). Secondly, what do you want to use the lens mainly for? Sports, nature, wildlife, general purpose, indoor shoot, portraits, streets/candids, etc?

sumball · 26th July 2005

Originally Posted by Garion

First off. What is your budget (i.e. max $$$ that u want to spend on the lens). Secondly, what do you want to use the lens mainly for? Sports, nature, wildlife, general purpose, indoor shoot, portraits, streets/candids, etc?

Garion will sure recommend u a 100-400mm (or 100-300?).

trlnlty · 26th July 2005

i have the sigma 100-300 if you are interested.

wenx · 27th July 2005

Denosha: Thanks for the recommendation, actually out of the 5 lenses I mentioned, I am leaning towards 1 and 4 (which is what you recommend)

Sumball: HaHa... Guess you miss one line! And got hammered by +evenstar! I love that 70-200 L too but it has to wait...

+evenstar: Thanks for the offer man, give me some time to consider about it. Will get back to you.

Deadmetal: You talking about the APO version? Looks like Sigma is the one...

mpenza: Thanks... Looks like Sigma APO is a real winner here. Everyone is voting for it!

Garion: Budget ~ 200-250 for used lens. Purpose ~ Sports, Nature and Streets (though these lenses may have their limitations)

trlnlty: Can PM me your offer? Best if you can provide a link for your pics. Thanks...

jsbn · 27th July 2005

Naturally, I'll go for 70-200 f/4L if I'm the one choosing.

I have the Canon EF 28-105 F/3.5-4.5 II USM, but I dun think that hardly qualifies as 'telephoto' category.

The Sigma APO is rated quite good, especially if u wanna do nature.

wenx · 27th July 2005

Originally Posted by jsbn

Naturally, I'll go for 70-200 f/4L if I'm the one choosing.

I have the Canon EF 28-105 F/3.5-4.5 II USM, but I dun think that hardly qualifies as 'telephoto' category.

The Sigma APO is rated quite good, especially if u wanna do nature.

Wah... another vote for Sigma APO! I already have the Canon 28-105 but I felt I need a longer range for sports and nature. Thanks for you suggestion...

wenx · 27th July 2005

Anymore comments??

holeinone · 27th July 2005

Originally Posted by wenx

Anymore comments??

Get the Sigma. It costs only $250 for a used one and new just over $300. Cheap and good.... really!

goering · 27th July 2005

Originally Posted by wenx

Anymore comments??

I think there are enough replies for you - if you have to choose from that list my vote goes to 1) and 4) as well

However, you may want to note that all your choices are very slow lenses - so they will only be usable in good lighting. Moreover, these lenses do not perform well at the tele end of 250mm - 300mm and you will need to stop down some more. That means a lot of light is needed. If you are forced to take in good lighting, then you might be better off with a FZ20, S2 IS or some other P&S telezoom

For this reason, I feel that if you have no urgent need for this lens, then save up to get something faster. Even a 70-200 F4 with a 1.4X TC would give better pics than the various choices here

wenx · 27th July 2005

Thanks guys for your helpful replies, this thread does serve it purpose well. There are some who PM me offers but please give me some time... Haha.

I shall now close the thread.

26th July 2005	#1
wenx Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 505	Which tele zoom lens you will choose? Hi all, need your help again . Recently, I am thinking of getting a relatively cheap used tele zoom lens. Below are those I shortlisted. I know these aren't great lens but hope to get the best out of my money. I am looking more importantly at image quality and AF speed (Ha... Don't suggest L lens because I ain't ready for it!) Hope owners of such lenses can shed some light on them. Thanks for your help! 1) Canon 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 USM 2) Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM 3) Tamron AF 70-300MM F/4-5.6 LD Macro 4) Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro Super II 5) Sigma 100-300mm F4.5-6.7 DL Which one will you choose? PS: Any canon users who want to off-load their tele zoom lens can PM me too.

26th July 2005	#8
Garion Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: West side of S'pore Posts: 5,512	First off. What is your budget (i.e. max $$$ that u want to spend on the lens). Secondly, what do you want to use the lens mainly for? Sports, nature, wildlife, general purpose, indoor shoot, portraits, streets/candids, etc? __________________ [ deviantart selections \| Photoblog ]

27th July 2005	#12
jsbn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Planet Eropagnis Posts: 2,977	Naturally, I'll go for 70-200 f/4L if I'm the one choosing. I have the Canon EF 28-105 F/3.5-4.5 II USM, but I dun think that hardly qualifies as 'telephoto' category. The Sigma APO is rated quite good, especially if u wanna do nature. __________________ "Wonders of the Human Mind. Unfathomable to the highest degree."

26th July 2005	#2
Denosha Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bukit Timah Posts: 1,298	This month's (July) Practical Photography recommended the Sigma 70-300 II APO Macro Super over a whole bunch of other lenses. Take note that this is the APO version, not the non-APO one u mentioned (the APO version has a red ring around the lens barrel, like a L rip-off). It's supposedly more expensive but much sharper.

26th July 2005	#3
sumball Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4,224	70-200 f2.8 IS

26th July 2005	#5
DEADMETAL Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 953	Sigma 70-300mm, some mag stated value for money. Rated quite high.

26th July 2005	#10
trlnlty Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 488	i have the sigma 100-300 if you are interested.