Beat around lens

So I just recently grabbed a 50d, and I am looking for a relatively sharp 70-?? Lens. I work in the telco industry in a rural area. I am seeing some amazing stuff while out in the field and want to make the 50d my in the truck camera. I have some good glass already but was looking for something more consumer-ish or relatively cheap. In the event of it being dropped, gunked, or for the lack of better words punished a little. I am not looking to spend a whole bunch, might look to add a trade (14mm not seeing any play) but want something decent. Ideas...

28-135 not a lot of reach
55-250. Don't know a lot about it
70-200 f4 no is, read a lot of great reviews but a lil pricey
Sigma. ??
Tamron. ??
Tokina. ??

Thoughts??? Thanks for your help

Jason

55-250 would be a great "beatup" lens. theres one for $150 in the for sale section. outside, during the day, especially stopped down, you can get some great images. sounds perfect since your are not looking for wide. gunked or funked, can always just get another, as the supply from the upgrading rebel crowd will always be there.

you could always send the 14mm my way.

gl

edited: front element rotates during focusing, making CPs more of a pain to use

55-250 would last exactly one-half of a beat-up. If you want something reachy, and don't care about "speed", I'd really suggest the 70-200 f/4 L (non IS) used. I've had two and I liked them, but they just weren't what I was looking for so I didn't keep them. It is what you're looking for, however. Get it! $500 used pretty easily.

All the other 70-200's (which are all f/2.8) will cost at least 50% more, have slower/less reliable AF and weigh more, all while not providing as good of image quality.

I'm personally looking into the 28-300 as my do-it-all/beat-it-up monster-lens that goes everywhere/does everything ... but it's pretty damn expensive.

HOWEVER, there's also Tamron's 70-300 USD that's ungodly inexpensive and not too bad - has IS to boot

http://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1327539​695&sr=8-2

Don't expect "L" images from it, but it's great for the money - my buddy got one for his 60D and he's decently satisfied with it (I spoiled him by letting him use my 300 f/4 L IS when I had it...)

jmcgee131 wrote in post #13768535
70-200 f4 no is, read a lot of great reviews but a lil pricey

How come it is pricey for person who owns 50l and 70-200f2.8isII, plus another two Ls

But if you going to keep it in the truck, 55-250 is good choice because it has small size.

Pricey for the application. Having the right tool for the job I guess. While I love my 2.8 II it makes me sick to think it might get damaged. I think I might look into the 55-250. I have a tele 1.4 II which would work with a F4 might look for that while browsing. Thanks for the input, any other ideas??

its hard to beat the pricey 70-200 f4.

55-250IS, or tamron 70-300VC...tamron has a few upgrades to the canon that some find worth the double price tag...they're both good bargins, and should work well for you

jmcgee131 wrote in post #13768535
So I just recently grabbed a 50d, and I am looking for a relatively sharp 70-?? Lens. I work in the telco industry in a rural area. I am seeing some amazing stuff while out in the field and want to make the 50d my in the truck camera. I have some good glass already but was looking for something more consumer-ish or relatively cheap. In the event of it being dropped, gunked, or for the lack of better words punished a little. I am not looking to spend a whole bunch, might look to add a trade (14mm not seeing any play) but want something decent...

IMO the 55-250 meets all those criteria to a 'T'. Can't think of another lens I'd choose in that situation.

55-250 is way sturdier than people give it credit for. And very good IQ. My go to lens for the outside when 85 is too limiting.

Decided to go with the 55-250. A few reasons..

A. Stealth, nothing draws attention more than a camera with a big white lens sitting in a passenger seat

B. Cost for replacement

C. Wife knows white costs more

D. Liked having IS at F5.6 if needed.

Thanks for the assistance.

Jason

For me my 'throw in the Jeep' lens was the 55-250 fitted to an old XTi. I also carried the 18-55 IS kit lens for normal stuff.

jmcgee131 wrote in post #13768535
So I just recently grabbed a 50d, and I am looking for a relatively sharp 70-?? Lens. I work in the telco industry in a rural area. I am seeing some amazing stuff while out in the field and want to make the 50d my in the truck camera. I have some good glass already but was looking for something more consumer-ish or relatively cheap. In the event of it being dropped, gunked, or for the lack of better words punished a little. I am not looking to spend a whole bunch, might look to add a trade (14mm not seeing any play) but want something decent. Ideas...

28-135 not a lot of reach
55-250. Don't know a lot about it
70-200 f4 no is, read a lot of great reviews but a lil pricey
Sigma. ??

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Tamron. ??
Tokina. ??

Thoughts??? Thanks for your help

Jason

55-250 would be the cheapest way to go.
a lens that would go with the 18-55mm haha

At $339 after rebate, the Tamron 70-300VC is ridiculously low priced. Basically a no brainer.

jmcgee131 wrote in post #13768535
I have some good glass already but was looking for something more consumer-ish or relatively cheap. In the event of it being dropped, gunked, or for the lack of better words punished a little. I am not looking to spend a whole bunch

BrickR wrote in post #13773126
At $339 after rebate, the Tamron 70-300VC is ridiculously low priced. Basically a no brainer.

Im sorry, but if I were to dish out $339 for a lens, its not going to be my "beat around lens".
The Canon 55-250IS lens can be bought for less then $180 bucks...and has good IQ.

jmcgee131 wrote in post #13769483
Decided to go with the 55-250

good move, the best telephoto in price/performance