Affordable long zoom lens

[w3iw3n]

Hi all CSers, would appreciate if you guys could provide some comments on which long zoom lens to get to go with my 450D. Current holding onto Tamron 17-50 f2.8 & Canon 50mm f1.8.


1. EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM (have not research on this lens)
2. EFS 55-250mm IS
3. Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG MARCO


All 3 are around the same price range. Have listed the benefits of the lenses below. Feel free to comment/correct if i am wrong.

Benefits:
1. USM (haven't research on this lens..not too sure whether is it sharp or not)
2. IS (with IS = slow shutter speed to counteract with its f4)
3. Macro 1:2 (sharpness is proven at < 200mm range). Comes with hood + customize casing.

[Headshotzx]

55-250IS




IS is important unless you're going to always be tripoding.

Real macro lenses are 1:1, the 55-250IS goes to 1:3 if im not wrong-- good enough for normal closeup shots.

75-300 image quality isn't good.

[charlesleong]

55-250IS is decent.

75-300 is to be avoided i think
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

[ahbian]

Image quality wise, the 55-250IS trumps the EF 70-300. Not too sure about how the sigma performs though.

[Eric Lee]

The Canon beats the Sigma cause it has USM. I missed quite a lot of actions shots cause the Sigma was too slow..

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by Eric Lee The Canon beats the Sigma cause it has USM. I missed quite a lot of actions shots cause the Sigma was too slow..

If you want USM-- you will have to deal with bad image quality and less reach.
If you want more reach-- you would have to deal with less IQ and slow focus.
If you want IS-- you would have to deal with less reach and slow focus.

If you want USM, IS, and fast focusing with good IQ and good reach, you'd have to get the 100-400L

[charlesleong]

i think the 100-400L might be out of TS's budget. heck, it's out of my budget too...

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Eric Lee The Canon beats the Sigma cause it has USM. I missed quite a lot of actions shots cause the Sigma was too slow..

Do remember that USM does not necessarily mean faster focusing all the time; it may merely constitute a silent focusing mechanism. In the 75-300 III USM's case, it is silent, but also not very fast, which is why the lens is not really worth paying for.

[daohuay]

Sorry to hijack this thread, as I'm too looking for a long zoom lens.

I have these choices:

Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

or

Tamron AF 28-300MM F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD VC

Not sure which to choose, people sure turn head if using Canon, and not sure Tamron will match Canon IQ or not.

Anyone have experience with both lens?

[calebk]

Originally Posted by daohuay Sorry to hijack this thread, as I'm too looking for a long zoom lens. I have these choices: Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM or Tamron AF 28-300MM F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD VC Not sure which to choose, people sure turn head if using Canon, and not sure Tamron will match Canon IQ or not. Anyone have experience with both lens?

Your needs are quite different from the threadstarter's. He's looking for something to complement his standard zoom, while you are looking for an all in one.

Do take note that the Canon 28-300 is a very expensive and heavy piece of glass.

[daohuay]

Originally Posted by calebk Your needs are quite different from the threadstarter's. He's looking for something to complement his standard zoom, while you are looking for an all in one. Do take note that the Canon 28-300 is a very expensive and heavy piece of glass.

Thanks, i start a new thread.

[ArcticFox]

Originally Posted by Headshotzx 55-250IS IS is important unless you're going to always be tripoding. Real macro lenses are 1:1, the 55-250IS goes to 1:3 if im not wrong-- good enough for normal closeup shots. 75-300 image quality isn't good.

That's sharp, but, any sharpening in photoshop?

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by ArcticFox That's sharp, but, any sharpening in photoshop?

Thanks, and yes, slight sharpening in LR2

[calebk]

Originally Posted by ArcticFox That's sharp, but, any sharpening in photoshop?

Originally Posted by Headshotzx Thanks, and yes, slight sharpening in LR2

You will need a certain level of detail to be resolved before it can be sharpened; an image made by a lens that does not render detail will not be rescued by sharpening.

[Redkangoo]

or u want to spend extra on 70-200 F2.8 IS? guess it make more sense for sharpening at PS...

[JoeJerry]

Originally Posted by Redkangoo or u want to spend extra on 70-200 F2.8 IS? guess it make more sense for sharpening at PS...

TS is looking for an affordable long zoom lens.
70-200/2.8L IS is $$$$

[Abuddlah]

i would like to know if the 55-250IS is a good walkabout lens? And is it a fast lens?

[brandon93]

I had a 75-300mm USM ||| lens can i use a canon 1.4x converter ?

[Headshotzx]

Originally Posted by Abuddlah i would like to know if the 55-250IS is a good walkabout lens? And is it a fast lens?

No-- that'll make it become an 88-400mm lens. In Africa, definitely, but in Singapore, no.

Originally Posted by brandon93 I had a 75-300mm USM ||| lens can i use a canon 1.4x converter ?

No. Won't fit. Didn't we tell you this before? Also, the 75-300mm lens's image quality isn't too good already. Any more glass in between and it'll be really bad. It's said to be Canon's worst lens.

[Redkangoo]

i got the 55-250 EFS - IS..a decent lens but if you compare with 70-200F2.8L IS...is comparison between toyota corolla vs Porsche 911