Camera Labs

Yeah so since I have a Canon Camera and I am Consider either a Canon or Sigma Telephoto lens, Canon wins 2 - 1 so it's here in the Canon Section! (logic huh!)

Yeah so heres the deal.

I'm looking for a telephoto lens.

Budget - Max £300 (Can perhaps be extended slightly if its an amazing deal)

Range - 250mm at least, 300mm pref. 70-300 is a range I am strongly leaning towards.

Type - Definitely a zoom, prime tele isn't flexible enough for me just now.

Aperture - Const. isn't a must, but pref. nothing as low as F/6.3

IS/OS - Again not a must but if possible it would be good to have.

New/Used - If it is used (anyone here selling?) then as long as it is in good condition and working perfectly then I'd happily consider it.


I have been looking at 4 lenses to date.

Canon EF 75-300 USM MkIII
Canon EF 75-300 USM IS MkIII
Canon EF 70-200 USM F/4L
Sigma EF 70-300 APO Macro

Canon 75-300 USM MkIII seems like the most sensible choice out of the 4. Fast focusing, descent enough build quality, does the job lens.

Canon 75-300 USM IS MkIII is the one which I am considering strongly just now, better build quality than the non IS version, although apparently it is discontinued, should this be anything to be worried about?

Canon EF 70-200 F/4L is a little out of my price range new, but if there is one going for cheap enough I'd consider pushing the budget for some white L lens goodness.

Sigma 70-300 APO Macro is on my list for a different reason. It has a closer focusing distance than the rest on the list making it better for macro work, meaning I can miss out on a dedicated macro lens for a while. It like the EF 70-300 USM MkIII is a does the job lens, nothing fancy in terms of build quality or features apart from the Macro 95cm focusing distance between 200-300mm.

So As you can see I'm stuck between features as it goes just now.

Standard lens - IS lens - White Const. Aperture L lens - Macro 1:2 lens

Each has its own advantage, and I know its sort of what I'll use the most, but in reality I could see myself using the IS, large Const. aperture, L quality optics and macro features!

So which do you think is the best deal out of the 4 and if you have had any experience with one or more of the above lenses please share your experiences

Thanks

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

I owned the 70-300 IS for while. I sent it in when Canon recalled it for the problems when shooting in portrait orientation. When it was fixed I sold it. I really liked the IQ, range and compactness of that lens. If you can stretch it though go for the 70-200L. You'll find the build quality addictive, plus it doesn't have an extending barrel. Constant f/4 is a plus too.

There something else to consider when buying L lenses besides the obvious image and build quality improvements. They tend to hold their value quite well. You might buy an L lens, shoot with it for a year or two and then sell it for something new and still get 90% of what you paid for it back.

If you decide to buy a used 70-300 IS make sure you read up on the service bulletin Canon sent out. IIRC the lenses with a "1" in the fifth digit were effected by the recall.

Isn't there a new EFS 55-250 zoom coming out soon too?

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Leica M9, Nikon D300s, Leica X1, Canon S95, Zero Image 6x9

I would love to have a 70-200 and on ebay I've been trying to find one for a reasonable price, but no luck so far - guess that just proves the point that L's really do hold their value. Maybe they will drop once the F/2 models come out, not sure of the date yet.

Yeah EF-S 55-250mm IS F/4.5-5.6 I think.

I really want to concentrate more on EF mount lenses as I plan on getting a Canon Film camera and besides, I might one day get a 5D/MkII

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

Give the 70-300 IS a try. It's a great travel lens and the IS is the most current generation out there right now. It's very hand-holdable even at 300mm and 1/60 second. Some reviews mentioned it as being an L in disguise. Just remember to check and see if the lens was a part of the recalled batch.

I just posted this for you to take a look at before you buy. It is a very UNscientific test, but results are fairly clear: http://picasaweb.google.com/stevenjcollins/70300Test

I had the 75-300 IS (old lens) and the 70-300 IS (newest version) on had to test both. Both lenses were used on the 20D and shot one after another. The newer 70-300 IS has much better corner sharpness and contrast throughout the frame.

I understand about going FF at some point. I keep telling myself that too, then all of a sudden something like the 17-55 f/2.8 IS comes out or the 10-22. I figure by the time I ever go FF there will be enough EFS bodies out there and I can sell them.

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Leica M9, Nikon D300s, Leica X1, Canon S95, Zero Image 6x9

Ah never knew the 70-300 IS was given such high praise!


so its just the 75-300 thats not in production anymore...70-300 is still good then

10-22/12-24 is my next lens - obviously if it isn't a FF lens then that won't matter, 10/12mm on a FF body would be insanely wide angle!

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

If you are also still on for a telephoto as well as a wide-angle lens then follow this link to our affiliate store cameras2u as they are currently selling the EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM for £322 if you use voucher "cam2u06". I believe delivery is free as well but can't verify this.

This is the lowest price in the UK according to my favourite price comparison site so you get a great deal and maybe CameraLabs can afford another birthday cake.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Daniel! My most important feature on your list would be IS.

Just my twopence...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

£320 new! Thats only £20 better than some of the ebay deals! (not including postage so Ebay is probably only £10 more expensive!)

If I can way my mother to get me this for Christmas I'll be well chuffed! If not then I'll probably get the Sigma and a flashgun.

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

Note that they quote "Delivery Usually within 10 Days" so its getting tight.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.