Lens Focus Speed

[Tdragone]

Okay;

For less than $1K

What would you rate as above average zoom lenses based on focus speed?

I'm looking at something like the 70-200 F4 lens or something similar.

I just jumped from a canon G2 to a DReb and I am shopping for my second lens. I'd rather not buy a stopgap lens that is going to gather dust in 6mos or a year when I want to graduate to a better lens.

So; that being said, what do y'all think?

-Tom D.
(As a long time lurker; I just want to thank everyone for all the advice and insight this board has given me before purchasing my first Dslr!)

[defordphoto]

The 70-200 is a most excellent lens. One of the best zooms on the market.

[Molydood]

well ive just bought a 70-200 and im very pleased with it indeed.
but if i was looking again, I might consdier the sigma 70-200 2.8 for the extra stop.
canon do simlar lens but its very expensive.
martin

[22littlereasons]

I've been using the 70-200 f2.8 sigma for the past few months, perhaps over 5000 shots... all sports. I really like it. The extra speed has sure come in handy. Then again, I've never used anything else so I don't have a comparison... so I guess ignorance really is bliss! :D

[CyberDyneSystems]

Zoom lenses with very fast Autofocus?... under $1,000.00?

Seems the two 70-200mmL s are the obvious choices...

17-40mm is pretty peppy...

I can't think of another :? :oops:

Non-Canon?.. Both the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 and 50-500mmEX were very fast to Autofocus... probably not as fast as the Canon's.. but very close.

[Jesper]

If you want a Canon zoom lens that focuses quickly, look for a lens with USM - Ultra Sonic Motor. Sigma has something similar, but they call it HSM.

The speed of auto-focus also depends on the body, not only on the lens.

[Olegis]

Almost all the lenses, especially the USM ones from Canon and the HSM ones from Sigma, will focus MUCH faster than your old G2 camera. Even my Sigma 15-30, which has relatively slow and loud AF motor, jumps in focus almost instantly, comparing to my old Minolta Dimage 7i.

The real question is - what will you shoot with it ? Even the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 MkII (non-USM) is capable of (relatively) fast focusing on 10D / 300D body. In fact, I did a test once which showed that this lens was capable of tracking several cars, which were moving at speeds of about 40-60 km/h.