Advice on Next Lenses

[jforget1]

Just got a new Rebel XT this week and so far i live it. Have taken shots. I went to the zoo today (can't afford the African Safari) and when I went to use my Signa 75-300 zoom, I was disappointed to get the err 99 error all but a handful of times. I have read some posts and see that this is a common problem with older Sigma lenses. I am looking to do some landscape and distance wildlife and sports photography I am looking for advice on lenses to replace the Sigma lenses below. I like the 50 prime lens but want to get some smaller zoom and a long distance zoom.

I was thinking about this lens Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Any advice would help

[ddelallata]

This is where it gets expensive...
landscape------ Canon 10-22mm or Canon 17-40L both over 650 dlls
Wildlife Zoom -----Canon 70-200L ~560dlls

[Tom W]

Inexpensive sports telephoto zoom that has very fast autofocus - Canon 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 USM lens. It has the advantage of true ring-type USM focusing along with distance scale, rear-focus mechanism and non-rotating front element suitable for use with polarizer filters.

Price - $279 US.

downside is no IS, but if you have adequate shutter speed, that won't matter.

[Dante King]

Welcome to POTN!

delalatta, No no this is where it gets expensive.

16-35 2.8L- fantastic lens 1300 bones
70-200 2.8 IS USM 1700 big ones

How ever there are less costly alternatives.

Tamron or Tokina Wides
28-135 IS USM- sweet little lens and nice walk around. would cover much of your MM requirements.

for the $$ I loved my tamron 28-300. No IS but what a range it had. Needs sufficient light but if your casually shooting its a great bargan IMHO

Have never owned a 75-300 so cant advise there. Good luck hunting.

[jforget1]

Thanks for all the advice, now i have to match up a lens to my wallet.

[etaf]

well for landscape you will need a wide angle lens, so because of the 1.6 factor on the rebelxt you are looking at to get a 28mm equivalent lens 28/1.6 a 17.5mm lens - did you get the kit lens with the XT

[jforget1]

I did not get the kit lens, I heard nothing but mediocre results for that lens, I figured i could use that money towrds a better lens

[jforget1]

I am leaning towards this lens for landscape work.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom

[etaf]

that lens has great reviews here - try a search and you will see

[jforget1]

Another lens which for the price I think may be a good choice is the 70-200 f/4. Would like to go with the f/2.8 but can't justify the extra money just yet, maybe an upgrade down the road. The f4 lens for under $600 seems like a good lenms to start with.

[MrChad]

I happen to really like my 75-300mm IS USM lens. I've taken many great shots with mine, I wouldn't trade it for 70-200L f4, frankly I like the extra 100mm's of reach. I think alot of folks give this optic a bad rap.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/276000-276999/276824_106_full.jpg
This is at 150mm on the lens on a Drebel (300D). I shot this at Mid-ohio sports car course on a hazy sky kind of day, at f7.1 ISO100. I was fairly happy with the results. A buddy of mine that I met at the race was shooting a 70-200mm F4L we swapped lenses for a bit, his was a very nice lens, but he commented that he loved the extra reach. (I did too, I didn't regret swapping back to be honest, I was shocked!) I also love the IS for when I need it, worth every penny. This is a fine lens IMO, too many people fret over their gear I know I use too, until I realised it was my poor ability not the gear. Since I didn't use the IS on the shot above any 75-300mm Canon lens could have done just as well.

I don't think there is a more useful $400 tele on the market. And it's size makes it travel friendly for me, a huge plus. My biggest gripe with this lens is the slow AF, but I've learned to work around that. I've been thinking of trading up to the 70-300 DO IS, but I'm just not sure my results would improve enough to justify the price for me, I'm quite happy with the results of this lens.

I've only recently discovered this lens will work perfectly with IS on my Manfrotto monopod or my cheapy sunpack tripod. Suddenly I've found a number of new uses for this lens. (I don't know why I never tried it like this before?)

I'm done now. ;)

[Dante King]

...... I've been thinking of trading up to the 70-300 DO IS, but I'm just not sure my results would improve enough to justify the price for me, I'm quite happy with the results of this lens.

The second gen IS in the DO is so sweet you would fall in love instantly.

[jforget1]

I want to thank everyone for their feedback and assistance with this question. After reading your responses and a TON of posts on this issue, I have decided to go with the 70-200 f/4L. It will be in on Wednesday and I can't wait to try it out.

[condyk]

I want to thank everyone for their feedback and assistance with this question. After reading your responses and a TON of posts on this issue, I have decided to go with the 70-200 f/4L. It will be in on Wednesday and I can't wait to try it out.

Did someone recommend this as a WILDLIFE lens? No ... not unless wildlife is in the zoo or a Dog kennel :lol: The OP mentioned 'distance wildlife' and the 70-200mm is way too short and low light shooting will prove an issue too, i.e. in woods or shade - the kind of places some wildlife hides in when they hear out big boots walking along!! Birds, forget it ... Ok, Ostrich in a Zoo maybe!!

The Canon F4 17-40 L is a nice choice tho' ... was top of my list until I found my Tokina 20-35 f2.8, which is also a very good lens indeed if you can find one SH. A bit pricey new, like the 17-40mm L, but produces lots of keepers!

[MrChad]

The second gen IS in the DO is so sweet you would fall in love instantly.

I know, I'm sure I'd love the lens. But I came to realise I've been able to use my current gear to get the shots I need. I'd rather improve my technique and work a bit to get the shots with my current gear then invest more money in glass on the shelf at this point. I tend to have more fun shooting my gear then paying for it. :lol: Not that a BHphoto box via UPS isn't a huge high in itself. I figure a few more years with this lens will make me that much better with the DO or IS L lens down the road. It's only been the past few months I really started to like this lens again, I think I'll keep shooting it while it still delivers results I'm happy with. Besides last time I check BHphoto was sold out of DO IS lenses :D

[Andy_T]

Did someone recommend this as a WILDLIFE lens? No ... not unless wildlife is in the zoo or a Dog kennel :lol:

Well, now he has bought a new lens, he's further away (financially) from a safari then ever :lol:

So it'll suit his needs nicely ... it's a great 'zoo' lens :wink:

Best regards,
Andy