Need advice on deciding on a zoom lens

[Xross.Fire]

Hi Guys,

First and foremost, I must say this forum is a treasure chest full of knowledge and tips on photography.

Currently, I have a Canon 40D and a 18-55 IS, Recently came back from a holiday longing for a greater reach so now i am looking around for a zoom lens.

I am looking at 1) 55-250 is 2) 70-200 F4L IS and Non-IS ones.

Btw, I love to shoot landscape, wildlife.

Can I have advice on other lens to lookout for?

Thanks for any advice!

[flipfreak]

70-200 f/2.8 IS, 300 f/2.8

[Fragnatic]

if u have a tight budget, the 55-250 makes a rather gd telephoto lens. plus u would have full 18-250mm coverage (28.8 - 400mm coverage on ur 1.6x crop 40D body).

if u have the money, get the 70-200 f/4L or even the f/2.8L. IS recommended. it really works. but u would lose a bit of range in between. (ie. 55-70mm) not very impt range unless u r taking portraits. portraits above 70mm also can la.

EDIT: of cos, the 70-200 L series lenses give much better IQ, build, etc etc.. (all the usual stuff for a L lens)

[ykia]

Get the 70-200 F/4 IS.

You might be tempted to get the EF-S 17-85 IS or the 24-70 F/2.8 later and the 55-250 might hold you back

[Xross.Fire]

I did consider selling the 18-55 for th 17-85 but for that price (new), it would be more sensible to get a 55-250. However, I am rather impressed with the 70-200 f4l. The IS version is about 700 more, is this worth to get?

Since its f4, low light action is hard to capture so is the IS one justified?

[conquer500]

Originally Posted by Xross.Fire I did consider selling the 18-55 for th 17-85 but for that price (new), it would be more sensible to get a 55-250. However, I am rather impressed with the 70-200 f4l. The IS version is about 700 more, is this worth to get? Since its f4, low light action is hard to capture so is the IS one justified?

get the canon 17-55 instead.

get the 70-200 IS f2.8 version instead, its worth the price. you will regret getting the f4

[Fragnatic]

Originally Posted by ykia Get the 70-200 F/4 IS. You might be tempted to get the EF-S 17-85 IS or the 24-70 F/2.8 later and the 55-250 might hold you back

hmm.. that's true.

Originally Posted by conquer500 get the canon 17-55 instead. get the 70-200 IS f2.8 version instead, its worth the price. you will regret getting the f4

the f/2.8 IS is like $1k more than the f/4 IS la. poor ppl like we would go for the f/4 IS.
oh, just to mention, the f/2.8 IS is heavy!

[N15M0]

Originally Posted by conquer500 get the canon 17-55 instead. get the 70-200 IS f2.8 version instead, its worth the price. you will regret getting the f4

Not true. I did not regret getting the f/4 IS. First, the light weight really make handheld shooting a pleasure and secondly, the f/4 image is a tad sharper then the f/2.8. The 4 stop IS on the f/4 IS is a pleasure esp shooting without a tripod.

[ykia]

Originally Posted by Xross.Fire I did consider selling the 18-55 for th 17-85 but for that price (new), it would be more sensible to get a 55-250. However, I am rather impressed with the 70-200 f4l. The IS version is about 700 more, is this worth to get? Since its f4, low light action is hard to capture so is the IS one justified?

I assume you travel quite a bit? And you mentioned landscapes and wildlife, so yes the 70-200 F/4 IS will be light enough and the IS adds to your handholding advantage if a tripod is not handy.

[Bcool]

You have a nice lens for landscape in the 18-55 IS.
The 70-200mm F4 or F2.8 is the next lens you should look at.
Where the F4 is a good walkabout lens, the F2.8 is on the heavy side...

These two images were taken with the 70-200mm F4 non IS






Pretty sharp for me.
F4 IS or non IS.....that's your call to make.

[SilverPine]

Originally Posted by Xross.Fire Hi Guys, Currently, I have a Canon 40D and a 18-55 IS, Recently came back from a holiday longing for a greater reach so now i am looking around for a zoom lens. I am looking at 1) 55-250 is 2) 70-200 F4L IS and Non-IS ones. Btw, I love to shoot landscape, wildlife. Can I have advice on other lens to lookout for? Thanks for any advice!

70-200mm f/4 L Non-IS will be a good choice for walkaround lens and for landscape & wildlife.

Same like you, I like to shoot landscape and wildlife and sport. 70-200f/4 L is a must, it is light, fast and very sharp when wide open.

Carry a 20D, 70-200mm f/4L and Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8, after walking for 1 to 3 hours, the weight will count. To make my shooting more enjoyable, It will be good to replace the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 with the 18-55mm kit lens (which is much lighter and wider, with f5.6 picture still sharp).

[Xross.Fire]

Thanks guys! Guess it would be the 70-200 F4L. Lets see how well cny goes, might just be able to get the is one.

Thanks for all the advice!