Canon Eos 300D lenses

[clairemd]

I have a Canon Eos 300D, with a standard 18-55mm lense. I am looking to purchase a telephoto lense, From your experience, what would be the best lense for me? I am not a photographer who likes to carry around lots of different lenses, so one that will suit 80% of situations would be perfect.

Any ideas?

Thanks:D

[eosnob]

You didn't mention if you wanted a fixed focal lens or a zoom, but if you don't much like lugging different lenses around, then I would assume a tele-zoom.

Also, are you content with your 18-55mm? I don't have one, but might suggest the 28-135mm IS as a good, and affordable, walkaround lens. That way, you still have your 18-55mm to cover the wider shots.

[weemannie]

What sort of budget do you have and what subjects do you normally shoot? We can't really advise you without that information :)

[clairemd]

Definately a tele-zoom. I am content with my 18-55mm, however, I miss the longer zoom. I was thinking a little larger, say up to 200mm. Would I be paying a lot more for this? Please forgive me, I am very new to this, and am used to having a small compact digital camera with a 300mm zoom. I miss this capabiltity a lot.

[clairemd]

I shoot varied subjects, but mainly wildlife and landscapes. I have a budget of around £300. Is this realistic?

[crusher420]

I have a fairly affordable choice in my list. I use the EF 75-300mm. You can get the USM version of this for well under what you are considering as your budget. I have taken some really nice shots with that one. I am sure there are others but that is the one that i have experience with and I am more than happy with it!

[clairemd]

Thank you . How much would I be looking to pay for the EF 75-300mm? And what ids the difference between the USM version?

[weemannie]

I assume that as you're quoting £s you live in the UK.:)

Warehouseexpress.com are selling the 75-300 for £189 (USM) and £159 (non-USM)
USM stands for Ultra Sonic Motor. Basically, it means it is a faster and quieter focusing system

Just to complicate matters :) there is a Image Stabiliser (IS) version, which the above are selling for £354. This should be available 2nd hand for less. IS enables you to hand hold at about 2 stops slower. BUT it is a lot heavier than the other 2 lenses.

Good luck :)

[Longwatcher]

Looking over my Canon list of lenses
Your choices are
- 55-200 ($209 - cheap lens, your 18-55 is probably better, but it compliments well)
- 75-300 ($180 - medium quality lens)
- 75-300 IS ($415 - medium quality lens with Image Stabilization)
- 70-200/f4L ($580 - good to excellent quality lens (it would be excellent but I like f2.8 )
- 70-200/f2.8L ($1130 - excellent quality lens)
- 70-200/f2.8L IS ($1650 - excellent quality lens with 2nd gen Image Stabilization)

There is also the 28-300, 70-300 DO, and 100-400 although I don't think these will likely meet your needs.

- All prices are US $ based on last time I did price search on BH, so are probably slightly off.
- Image stabilization provides capability to hand hold against stationary objects at longer shutter settings.
- Lastly please note that as the price goes down, the variation in quality goes up so it becomes more likely to get a bad lens that needs to be sent back.

[eosnob]

Think there are a couple of used 75-300mm IS USM version at Jessops. Hurry!!

[condyk]

I feel the best all round options are the Canon 100-300 USM, though you then have a gap to 100mm from the kit lens, or the Sigma 70-300 APO Macro Super II which is well liked by most owners and there is less gap. As with any cheaper zoom the 300mm end may be a bit softer than ideal, but at 200mm you should be fine with either. The Sigma is very well priced at around £140-160 retail new and would get my vote. I had one and they're usually good. I think 7dayshop had them at best UK price a while back so see:

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/normal_search_result.php?keywords=sigma+70-300&x=0&y=0

Resale value good on either. I also think Tokina (or Tamron!) have a new 18-200mm lens out, or something like that. Not sure on details but I remember it won a recent group review in one of the UK photo magazines.

For £300 you could just about be lucky and pick up a SH Canon 70-200mm F4 L which would be very nice and fit well with your kit lens range. Better than alternative options for sure.

I wouldn't personally recommend any of the Canon 75-300mm models, but they are available at good prices here if you're keen:

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/normal_search_result.php?PHPSESSID=&keywords=canon+75-300&x=0&y=0

The IS version seems to be below your budget. Warehouse Express is not that cheap often.

For wildlife, esp. birds, I suggest 400mm is the minimal useful day to day range, tho' you can get some lucky closer shots now and again with a shorter lens. You are really talking £450 plus SH tho' for a Bigma (Sigma 50-500mm), or £550 plus SH for a Sigma 100-300mm f4 with 1.4 x TCon which is a stunner.

You could also get something like a Panasonic P&S FZ5 for around £300, with 12x Leica optical zoom and Image Stabilization. Fit in you pocket and great quality.

[cfcRebel]

Yupe, EF75-300, 100-300, Sigma 70-300 should fit. ;)
If u want less lens changing, check out Sigma 18-200mm DC. Pretty neat lens. http://www.rtfract.com/d70sigma.htm