Just bought EOS-20D...now for lenses

[havoc]

Hi all,

Thanks for advice over the past few weeks. Have just won an eBay auction on a refurb EOS-20D, complete with 18-55 (will do for starters).

So...now need a good telefoto lens, am considering the Canon EF-S 70-300 IS...but I believe there's now 2 of them, just to confuse matters, and at least one of them has two modes of IS - Horizontal & Vertical, and Vertical only (to allow panning).

Main use for this lens will be motorsport and airshows.

So, next questions:-
- Is the Canon the best-value IS zoom lens out there? Can't find any others - do Sigma and Tamron give IS lenses a different acronym?
- If there are two Canons, does anyone know if the new one is clearly better?
- How much use will that 'panning-IS' mode be?
- What are the risks with a 2nd hand lens?

Thanks again guys,

Martin

[bananagravy]

id recommend a 100-400mm L its brilliant in my opinion.

[havoc]

bananagravy said:

id recommend a 100-400mm L its brilliant in my opinion.

How much? Aren't L's the mutt's nuts?

Should've said, after the camera my budget is limited - £400 for an IS lens will be a stretch, hence the question.

[poah]

the new 70-300 IS has issues regarding photos taken in the portrait position. consider the 100-300 F4 sigma or the 100-400 canon L

[V6GTO]

100-400L
If I could get away with it I'd take mine to bed with me.

Martin.

Some results here...www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=254574&f=109&h=0

>> Edited by V6GTO on Wednesday 29th March 17:38

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

Well don't get hung up on IS. For static stuff it's great (I had a 100-400mm IS which is over double your budget which people seem to be ignoring ) but I had IS switched off when panning even though it had IS panning mode available.

Sigma 135-400mm is a good bet. Gets good reviews generally. Ok it's not a L lens but it's not L price either. I'd probably pick it over an original Canon 75-300IS any day.

[monkeyhanger]

£400 hmm..

Try and stretch the the 100-300 F4 Sigma if you can, should be available for <500 at somewhere like Onestop Digital (if they have it in stock)

The 135-400 isn't too bad either, i had one as my "Long" lens before i got the 100-400L.

[havoc]

Cheers, might look the Sigma 100-300 out. The camera's coming with the 18-55 lens, so I don't really want a big gap in the mid-range...would mean buying a 3rd lens, and I'd rather save-up for a good wide-angle in a year or so.

[robdickinson]

poah said:

the new 70-300 IS has issues regarding photos taken in the portrait position. consider the 100-300 F4 sigma or the 100-400 canon L

The 70-300 does have issues, its a cracking lens if you get a good one, and there are decent copies about. One guy on DPreview took his laptop and camera round the shops and bought the 4th one he tested.


If you dont need IS or 300mm the sigma 70-200f2.8 is a cracking deal for £400

[nighthawk]

slightly OT

rob, where have you found the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 for £400? it's 580-600 in most places.
I am pondering the choice of Sigma 70-200 f2.8 or the Canon 70-200L f2.8 IS.

The canon lens is double the cost and image quality between the 2 wasn't that different

The lens will replace a canon 75-300 IS I have in my bag.

>> Edited by nighthawk on Wednesday 29th March 23:06

[robdickinson]

£419 here:

www.digitalrev.com/en/product_details.php?item_id=63&category_id=15

[whittaker52]

I bought a 70-300mm IS USM lens about a month or 2 ago, it seems pretty good so far, although i haven't had a proper chance to stretch its legs at the track yet. I'd definitely consider giving the lens a try. As for the issues with the lens, i havent had any problems with it at all, maybe im just lucky? I'd have loved one of the L series lenses, but for me, the budget just wasn't there. There do seem to be some very good lenses in both the price range, and focal range though.

[cirks]

whittaker52 said:

I bought a 70-300mm IS USM lens about a month or 2 ago, it seems pretty good so far, although i haven't had a proper chance to stretch its legs at the track yet. I'd definitely consider giving the lens a try. As for the issues with the lens, i havent had any problems with it at all, maybe im just lucky?

Ditto - bought mine with the camera back in Nov and have had no problems with it. Should be well within your budget, it's quick focussing, pretty quiet. Does the IS make a difference - difficult to tell unless you deliberately have minor shakes and can repeat the same shake with IS on and off (drink too much the night before testing - that should help! )
Get a price from Ian Kerr - he should see you right - US sourced but with worldwide guarantee and UK receipt. Excellent service & prices as AndyM and I and many others have found. (eg my 100mm 2.8 macro = £319 cf warehouse express @ £388 (was more). Mail him on [e-mail] and tell him I sent you!

[elliotdavies]

There is another option thet ive gone for, a canon 300L IS USM f/4 Prime and add it to a x1.4 extender its a 672mm lens
the 300 can be had reasonably on ebay if you are lucky