A good 200mm or so that won't break the bank.

[Jackal]

Anyone know of any? I'm looking for a decent built, sharp, and kind of fast lense that can go up to 200mm or so. (Ugh, am I asking a tad bit too much here?)

I only have the 18-55mm kit lense on my 350D and I find myself in situations where I need some more reach.

I'm not wanting to go ahead and catch L fever just yet. ;)

Just looking for some suggestions! Thanks in advance!

[timmyquest]

70-200 f/4

About 550...it's an awesome lens!


*edit*

It's an L lens...but it's the cheapest one i think :-P

[skyphix]

That'd be my suggestion... even though I dont have one, I want one badly!

[timmyquest]

Well, i do have the 70-200...although it's the f/2.8 (non IS) version. I have heard people say the f/4 version is the sharpest...and even if it's not, they are all damn sharp. But maybe more imprortantly, they are just amazing lesnes. The sharpest, fastest focusing canon mount-zoom telephoto lens you'll find anywhere.

[Jackal]

I've been thinking of just saving up like a maniac and going for that 70-200 F/4L......

This forum is gonna be the end of me I swear.

Any other suggestions? =)

[timmyquest]

This forum is gonna be the end of me I swear.



ahah, 14 months ago my best camera was a $200 rebel 2000, that i paid too muc hfor. My best lens was a $ 75 70-300 sigma, that i paid too much for.

My first question to this forum was:

"Will my 70-300 sigma lens fit on the digital rebel that i'm going to buy? I Wont be upgrading my lenses for a few years..."

And FWIW, my current list of gear is as follows:

1D
70-200 f/2.8
17-40 f/4
50mm f/1.8
550EX

the 300mm f/4 will be ordered within a month.

RUN AWAY! :lol:

[radar-eclipse]

I have "the" 200mm lens to have (1.8L). But it breaks the bank. What about the 200mm 2.8 single focal length lens?

[timmyquest]

Thats obviously another option. Given the quality of the 70-200's i thin kthe 200mm f/2.8 is prolly a tad UNDER-rated. Not that we want to confuse things for ya :-P

[Jackal]

Anyone know what the minimum focus distance is on the 70-200 F/4L?

[michael.luczkow]

1 point something meters. standing up I can focus at something knee height at 200mm... sorry it's not exact.

[michael.luczkow]

there's also a switch to change the min focus length (i think that's what it's for) the options are 1 point something and 3 something, again off the top of my head.

[tim]

If you look up the lens at B&H their specifications page has minimum focusing distance information.

[michael.luczkow]

1.2 meters or 3

[Volatile]

jackal, the 70-200 f4 does not disappoint. if you can't afford it, then there is always the 55-200...

[karusel]

If I'd need a zoom I'd get the 70-200 2.8L IS, otherwise the 200mm 2.8L (little over &600, little under if used). According to MTF charts, 70-200 2.8L IS is the sharpest lens, but 200mm 2.8L delivers more even corner to corner sharpness and slightly better bokeh.

And, Jackal, notice the lack of non-L suggestions in the above sentence? Yeah, the L-fever is the only way, the sooner you catch it the better you'll feel.

[ron chappel]

The non bank breaking options are:
Canon 80-200 II . An amazingly sharp lens for what is basically a plastic kit zoom!Good focus speed too. Here are two example pics -
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/ef%2080-200II%20@100mmf5%20%5B178k%5D.html
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/ef%2080-200II%20@140mmf5.6%20%5B270k%5D.html

Canon 55-200 (II?) This is the optional kit zoom to go with the 18-55 lens.
This test shows full size pics taken at equal magnification -an awsome idea.It lets you compare different lenses and focal lengths directly.I haven't checked out this particular lens but it's there if you want to look.
http://www.pbase.com/knickles/lenstests


Canon 70-210 usm. This one is a favourite with some users even these days.Well built,good fast USM focus and nicely sharp.May be the best option but you'll have to buy secondhand and be prepared to compete with other buyers

[Bruce Hamilton]

You can get EF 75-300 f/4.5 III for around $150... Not a bad lens for the money. :)

[cmM]

if you could live with a prime lens, I'd say 200 f/2.8 L (pretty cheap for what it is)
If you can't live with a prime and need a zoom, 70-200 f/4L


...I don't own either, but I've been looking for a looong time.... I've been looking at too many lenses :rolleyes:

[hank1105]

ditto on the 70-200mm f/4 - great lens - I just got the 1.4 extender for it, great combo.

Hank

[Headcase650]

I just got a sigma 70-200 2.8 for a little over $600, I know I know its not an "L" but hey it was fairly cheap its fast, sharp and the usm is just as fast as my 28-135 usm IS. I have absolutly no complaints. Oh and it comes with the hood and trypod mount. I believe they are extra with the canon.

Adrian

[Jackal]

Anyone know where I can see some sample pictures (preferably very well in focus and ISO 100) with the 70-200mm F/4L? A 100% crop would be nice. I want to see how sharp it is at 200mm (and below if possible).

I've searched for pictures but they're all resized of course. :\

Also, can someone post a picture of this lense mounted on their 20D/300D/350D? I haven't been able to picture how it looks mounted on a camera like mine. =)

[Volatile]

Here are two different 100% crops taken with 70-200 f4L (and my former drebel). The baseball shot is 1/4000 and ISO 200, the soccer one is 1/500 and ISO 100. The second pic suffers from a little motion blur I think.

HTH

edit: forgot to mention, both are 200mm.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/Volatile/Canon%20forum/Catcher-crop.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/Volatile/Canon%20forum/100crop.jpg

[Jackal]

Very nice! I like the clean and sharpness of the lense! The 100% crop is what matters heh. Thanks for posting that picture man. Just what I was looking for.

Anyone got any pictures of how it looks on the camera? I'd very much appreciate it.

Looks like I'll be saving up for this lense.

[ron chappel]

Also here's a good test of that lens (compared with other 70-200's and with 100% crops at different focal lengths and apertures)

http://www.slo-foto.net/reviews-56.html

[IainB]

ditto on the 70-200mm f/4 - great lens - I just got the 1.4 extender for it, great combo.

Hank
Ditto ditto...I too just took delivery of the same lens ("My Precious...")and extender. Mmmmm....