Which lens to buy?

lorinser220 · 2nd May 2003

Hi!, newly born CS member here...

Anyways, I was hoping to get some advice about which lens to buy? I'm a Canon user and usually end up using my EF 24-85 USM lens. I also have a Tokina AF 100-300mm F5.6-6.7 Macro lens.

I want to upgrade my Tokina lens but I'm not too sure what to get. The purpose of this lens is for taking photos mostly at the zoo, birdpark, etc. My budget is around $600.

BTW, what do you guys think of this Tokina lens? Any good?

Prismatic · 2nd May 2003

Eh? If you've got $600, why don't you get the 75-300mm EF?
What do you mean by upgrade? Do you mean getting something similar or do you want a better lens?

By experience and lotsa of user feedback, Tokina lens don't work very well for Canon systems.

mervlam · 2nd May 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Prismatic
By experience and lotsa of user feedback, Tokina lens don't work very well for Canon systems.

If Tokina is bad, then Sigma lenses are worse.

lorinser220 · 2nd May 2003

Thanks Prismatic

I'm looking for a better lens with better optical quality. The range need not be the same as that of my Tokina lens. I was considering the 70-300mm EF also. How about the 70-200mm USM? I'm guessing that's gonna cost a lot more right?

Also, do you think $600 is sufficient for getting a new 75-300mm EF or second hand? Pardon my knowledge on the cost of lenses.

lorinser220 · 2nd May 2003

mervlam, I thought Sigma better than Tokina? Aren't they more expensive too?

Prismatic · 2nd May 2003

So moral of the story, get Canon original. Even if 2nd hand.
Especially if you are shooting birds, you will need the focusing speed.

For your range of $600,
You can get the 75-300mm f4-5.6. ( 3 versions: Non-USM, USM, and USM IS). For the non-USM, starts at around $320 or so.

Or if you still can find it, a 100-300mm f4.5-5.6 USM.

If you really want to go all the way, and throw in a few thousand dollars. You can get.

100-300mm f5.6L
100-400mm f4.5-5.6L USM IS
Or prime options, 300mm f4L USM

Prismatic · 2nd May 2003

A 75-300mm USM cost around $460.
If you are interested in 70-200, can get the F4L version.
It's about $1200.

lorinser220 · 2nd May 2003

Thanks a lot Prismatic

I'm quite keen on the 75-300mm f4-5.6 USM IS. Think I'll probably need the IS. BTW, if I'm going to the zoo/bird park on a sunny day do you think its possible to take w/o tripod?

xmen1977 · 3rd May 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by lorinser220
Thanks a lot Prismatic
BTW, if I'm going to the zoo/bird park on a sunny day do you think its possible to take w/o tripod?

dun worry usually such bright daylight will get u up to a speed of above 1/500

sufficient for handheld shooting

though most ppl would usually like to carry a tripod ard just in case when using long lenses

akdwivedi · 3rd May 2003

With a budget of 600 you have a couple of choices -

1) 75-300 USM IS: Fairly good lens and IS is handy (first IS lens).

2) 100-300 4-5.6 USM: It has been rated better than 75-300 and has the advantage of non-rotating fron element. That makes the use of polarisers much easier with it. you can find a used one for 300-350.

3) 100-300 5.6L: This was the first L lens and is optically much better than the above two. However it doesn't have USM and is slow. I guess I saw one in TCW forgot the cost. Should fall within ur 600 budget.

But if you are looking for optics, then I should advise u to save a little and by 70-200 f/4L. Its way ahead of the all the three lenses mentioned.

lorinser220 · 3rd May 2003

Thanks a lot guys!!

Think I'll probably wait and see if anyone in CS has any good offers to tempt me

Keen on the 75-300 USM IS still cos I think I might need the extra zoom compared to the 70-200 f/4L.
Anyways think I'll have to think it over again.......and make sure I make the right decision.

2nd May 2003	#1
lorinser220 New Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 43	Which lens to buy? Hi!, newly born CS member here... Anyways, I was hoping to get some advice about which lens to buy? I'm a Canon user and usually end up using my EF 24-85 USM lens. I also have a Tokina AF 100-300mm F5.6-6.7 Macro lens. I want to upgrade my Tokina lens but I'm not too sure what to get. The purpose of this lens is for taking photos mostly at the zoo, birdpark, etc. My budget is around $600. BTW, what do you guys think of this Tokina lens? Any good?

2nd May 2003	#2
Prismatic Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: In the void. Posts: 1,215	Eh? If you've got $600, why don't you get the 75-300mm EF? What do you mean by upgrade? Do you mean getting something similar or do you want a better lens? By experience and lotsa of user feedback, Tokina lens don't work very well for Canon systems.

2nd May 2003	#4
lorinser220 New Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 43	Thanks Prismatic I'm looking for a better lens with better optical quality. The range need not be the same as that of my Tokina lens. I was considering the 70-300mm EF also. How about the 70-200mm USM? I'm guessing that's gonna cost a lot more right? Also, do you think $600 is sufficient for getting a new 75-300mm EF or second hand? Pardon my knowledge on the cost of lenses.

2nd May 2003	#8
lorinser220 New Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 43	Thanks a lot Prismatic I'm quite keen on the 75-300mm f4-5.6 USM IS. Think I'll probably need the IS. BTW, if I'm going to the zoo/bird park on a sunny day do you think its possible to take w/o tripod?

3rd May 2003	#10
akdwivedi Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 790	With a budget of 600 you have a couple of choices - 1) 75-300 USM IS: Fairly good lens and IS is handy (first IS lens). 2) 100-300 4-5.6 USM: It has been rated better than 75-300 and has the advantage of non-rotating fron element. That makes the use of polarisers much easier with it. you can find a used one for 300-350. 3) 100-300 5.6L: This was the first L lens and is optically much better than the above two. However it doesn't have USM and is slow. I guess I saw one in TCW forgot the cost. Should fall within ur 600 budget. But if you are looking for optics, then I should advise u to save a little and by 70-200 f/4L. Its way ahead of the all the three lenses mentioned.

3rd May 2003	#11
lorinser220 New Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 43	Thanks a lot guys!! Think I'll probably wait and see if anyone in CS has any good offers to tempt me Keen on the 75-300 USM IS still cos I think I might need the extra zoom compared to the 70-200 f/4L. Anyways think I'll have to think it over again.......and make sure I make the right decision.