Best zoom lens for under $600 (US) ?

[woodsmth]

Someday when I grow up , I aspire to become a great L-coholic ! But until I win the lotto or someone becomes as free with their credit card # as they are with their advice :) I'll have to work with what I've got! In December , I maxed out my credit card and bought a Drebel kit to replace my old Rebel X. Not much money or credit left , but I would like to buy a zoom lens to shoot wildlife and high school sports. What's the best I can buy for $500 - $600 ( or less! )?

[CyberDyneSystems]

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 (about $615.00 at Delta International)

Or Canon 70-200mm f/4 L For about $575.00

The advantage of the Sigma in this case would be in addition to the faster apetrture when used alone,. you can also use it with a 1.4X OR a 2X T-con for 140-400mm. Granted,. using a 70-200mm and a 2Z to get to 400mm isn't the best way to do it,. but it is workable,. and very affordable. ( The Sigma T-cons are both about $150.00)

[Jim Larson]

Ah, heck. I am a Canon Snob.

BUY THE CANON 70-200/4L. Great lens. You won't regret it.

Later on, get the 1.4TC for another $275. NICE.

[Yarin]

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 (about $615.00 at Delta International)

Or Canon 70-200mm f/4 L For about $575.00

The advantage of the Sigma in this case would be in addition to the faster apetrture when used alone,. you can also use it with a 1.4X OR a 2X T-con for 140-400mm. Granted,. using a 70-200mm and a 2Z to get to 400mm isn't the best way to do it,. but it is workable,. and very affordable. ( The Sigma T-cons are both about $150.00)

Any other comments on a <$600 zoom lens? That Sigma sounds like a good buy. I'm looking to add a nice telephoto lens for shooting cars and other high speed objects outdoors. How does the quality of the glass compare to the low level Sigma/Canon lenses? Right now I have a Sigma 28-135mm Macro lens. It's a great all purpose lens, but I know the more $$ lenses will provide greater clarity.

[2new]

Does anyone have sample pictures or reviews posted using the combo that CDS mentioned?

70-200 f4 w/ 1.4x TC

Thanks

[Jim_T]

If my credit card were maxed, I'd go for the Canon 70-300.. :)

It's decent and you get up to 300mm out of it.. That should do you for sports and wildlife.. It isn't as fast as the L lens (f4.5-5.6) rather than f4... But all in all it isn't that bad..

[Longwatcher]

Nobody on this thread has yet mentioned the best in class; the 28-135 IS.

I can highly recommend this zoom lens as a mid-range mid-priced very useful zoom for under $500. It won't hurt your money as bad as an "L" but will still provide excellent pictures and is a very good travel lens, it matches up well with the Drebel. Buying this lens will leave you a bit left for accessories you might like later.

Just my opinion.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I allways recomend the 28-135mm IS where appropriate,. but how is it suitable for Wildlife and Sports? It is neither long enough nor faat enough in the vast majority of cases.

In fact,. the 70-200 is pretty short,. I would have mentioned the 100-300mm Sigma f/4.. but it is a little out of the price range...

The Canon 75-300mm IS is another option,. but I find most owners of this lens don'thold onto it after they start to get a collection of high qualtiy lenses (unlike the 28-235mm where many DO keep it)

..so to me it seems a better investment to go with a 70-200mm as a lens that you would NEVER part with.

[woodsmth]

OK... I was just about sold on the Sigma 70 - 200 f/2.8 with the 1.4 a little later ......then you bring up the 100 - 300 f/4, about the same money as the 200 with converter :? Which is the best bet? I do need a little more length as the wildlife around here seems to be quite wild!