Need a zoom lens

[S6PNJ]

So I've taken the plunge and sold all of my film kit and have bought a Canon 400D. It comes with the standard 18-55 lens but I'm going to want an 'up to' 300mm zoom for wildlife and wedding photography. I don't have mega bucks to spend so can't go anywhere need the Canon L series, but I also don't want to waste money on a cheap lens that won't perform. I'm currently looking at the Canon 75-300 III USM or the Sigma 70-300 DG Macro. Are these going to be reasonable lenses or am I better off getting something better. With the Canon series, adding the IS adds about another £200 from what I can make out, so that's going to be out of my price range.
What about second hand L series? Am I likely to be able to pick up a second hand lens (dare I say eBay?) cheap enough to get anywhere near the (small) cash I'm willing to spend? Second hand camera shops are also a possibility - theres a 'London Camera Exchange' in Bath I think (my closest) - worth a look? I'd appreciate any advice - thanks.

[miniman]

I've haven't used the 70-300 Sigma but I have used their 18-200 and for a relatively cheap lens it's pretty good. I've tried the 70-200 f/2.8 Sigma and that's also excellent so I would guess the 70-300 should be pretty good.

Whereabouts in Chippenham are you? Haven't seen your Tuscan around. I'm on Cepen Park North with my Chim

[MilnerR]

I'm in a similar situation. Moved from film SLR to DSLR which came with an 18-70mm lens kit and I was looking very seriously at the sigma telephotos. They're very cheap but are they any good?

[Podie]

2nd hand L series lenses still commant big money from what I've seen.

We've got a 75-300 III and a 75-300 IS. The IS is worth a few stops, and IMO worth the extra money.

That said, you should be able to pick up a second hand 75-300 III for £100-150.

[S6PNJ]

miniman said:

Whereabouts in Chippenham are you? Haven't seen your Tuscan around. I'm on Cepen Park North with my Chim

I live in Pewsham but drive daily to Carterton, Oxon in the Tusc, normally through the middle of Chippenham rather than round the ring road. 90 miles each day in the Tusc!!

[S6PNJ]

Podie said:

That said, you should be able to pick up a second hand 75-300 III for £100-150.

Thanks for the info, found 7dayshop do one new for £169.00 just don't know how much better it will be than the Sigma at £89! Both are f/4.0-5.6

[Podie]

S6PNJ said:

Podie said:

That said, you should be able to pick up a second hand 75-300 III for £100-150.

Thanks for the info, found 7dayshop do one new for £169.00 just don't know how much better it will be than the Sigma at £89! Both are f/4.0-5.6

YHM.

[S6PNJ]

Podie said:

YHM.

Thanks Podie, am at work and don't have access to my (pers) email so will get it tonight.

Edited by S6PNJ on Monday 22 October 10:16

[Podie]

S6PNJ said:

Podie said:

YHM.

Thanks Podie, am at work and don't have access to my (pers) email so will get it tonight.

Edited by S6PNJ on Monday 22 October 10:16

No problem - you can't act on it till tomorrow anyway..

[philbes]

If you know anyone going to the States a new Canon 75-300 III is $160 and the USM version is $180 . With $2 = £1 that is even cheaper than a decent second-hand lens in the UK. So if you know of anyone going to the US ask them to bring one back for you. A friend bought one back for me a couple of weeks ago.

[VxDuncan]

Not a big fan of cheap nasty optics with IS tbh - would rather have the fast decent optics without - like the 70-200 F2.8. DON'T buy the Sigma 70-300 DG Macro - buy the APO version instead. The difference is monumental. Non-apo version is a shocker - the Chromatic Abberation is horrenus, and ruined many of my shots. APO version's nice and sharp and it's a good lens for pocket money prices. Better than the canon IMO, and the 1:2 macro function is very useful. I've owned both, and won't take the sigma APO everytime.

Check out the www.photozone.de reviews...

[Podie]

VxDuncan said:

Not a big fan of cheap nasty optics with IS tbh - would rather have the fast decent optics without - like the 70-200 F2.8.

Last I heard the 70-200 non-IS was becoming hard to obtain due to lack of sales, and it was being discontinued as people bought the IS version.

Also, comparing a £170 75-300 with a 75-300IS which is about £200 on top of that is a tad different to an L-series lens. If the OP is asking whether the extra £200 or so is worth it for the IS version, do you really think he’s going to want to spend L-series (circa £750)money..?

Edited by Podie on Monday 22 October 16:00

[VxDuncan]

Sorry, I was refering to the Sigma 70-200 F2.8 refered to earlier, not the L series! Should have made that clearer! The Sigma is a similar sum to the Canon 70-300 IS give or take a few tens of pounds, and probably £250-£300 from ebay. I'd take that everytime over the 70-300 IS.

[Podie]

VxDuncan said:

Sorry, I was refering to the Sigma 70-200 F2.8 refered to earlier, not the L series! Should have made that clearer! The Sigma is a similar sum to the Canon 70-300 IS give or take a few tens of pounds, and probably £250-£300 from ebay. I'd take that everytime over the 70-300 IS.

Excellent job of miscommunication between us! (just re-read my post and it sounded a bit arsey, sorry).

We've (the missus and I) have had a 75-300 and a 75-300IS for the last few years (just about to buy our first L-series soon). Both have been solid performers, and despite going for a 70-200 2.8 IS and a 100-400 (both are L series lenses) we'll keep at lease one of the 75-300s...

[ruaricoles]

I'm no lens expert but I chose a Tamron 18-200 f3.5-6.3 DiII to go with my 400D, no IS but it's pretty cheap, sharpness and AF seem decent enough and it doesn't seem to suffer from any nasty effects that I've spotted yet. Nice easy manual focus ring too.

Ruari

[S6PNJ]

Podie said:

No problem - you can't act on it till tomorrow anyway..

See what you mean

[Podie]

S6PNJ said:

Podie said:

No problem - you can't act on it till tomorrow anyway..

See what you mean

Have a nose tomorrow and feel free to drop me a mail - I've used that link LOTS.

[Brink]

Always always always go for the IS version.

I've got a 70-300mm IS and a 17-85mm IS for my 40D.

The IS (Image Stabilisation) option does much much more than give you a few stops.

[Gemm]

S6PNJ said:

I'm currently looking at the Canon 75-300 III USM or the Sigma 70-300 DG Macro. Are these going to be reasonable lenses or am I better off getting something better.

If you are looking at those lenses, do look out for Canon 100-300 USM. It's got ring USM (faster and quieter AF), non-rotating front element, and most importantly, full time manual focus capability.

[S6PNJ]

As with everything - you start looking in one price range and then as something else catches your eye, you slowly move up the price range. I've just spotted this IS lens, new in Aug 07. As it is new, I guess no-one will have any experience of it so far, or maybe not? Lens is Canon 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS EF-S Lens, price quite reasonable (I think in comparison to other IS lenses) at £239.00