Suggestions for zoom lens (canon 30D)

All I have right now is a 50mm 1:1.8

Looking for a good budget zoom or telephoto, but don't know where to start.

Wants to be able to grab some good close up action shots.

All help appreciated

I'm not sure what you mean by "zoom or telephoto" or what your budget is, but the Canon EF-S 55-250 IS lens is the best budget telephoto lens you can buy.

55-250 IS would be my best suggestion. Very cheap(price), good IQ and focus, and it's light-weight.

Also think if you would want something wider like an 18-55 or 17-50.
If you are looking to pull stuff I'm from a distance listen to the guys who posted before me especially if your on a budget.

EZPrime wrote in post #14493184
All I have right now is a 50mm 1:1.8

Looking for a good budget zoom or telephoto, but don't know where to start.

Wants to be able to grab some good close up action shots.

All help appreciated

A good value wider zoom would be the EF-S 18-55mm IS. A used copy here is about $100. For longer reach, i agree on the EF-S 55-250mm IS. Both are sharp lens in their class.

Thank you guys! That was exactly the answers I was looking for

My favorite lens when I had my 30D was the EF-S 18-135 f3.5-5.6. It was a fantastic walk-around lens and had a good image quality. I had a 55-250 as well, but found I didn't need the longer reach as much as I wanted the lower (wider) capabilities of the 18-135.

Note, however, that with either the 18-135 or the 55-250 or almost any other EF-S zooms is that you'll need a flash indoors due to their smaller maximum aperature (f3.5). And that maximum aperature gets smaller quickly as one zooms out.

Although I rarely use my 30D anymore, I have been thinking of picking up a 55-250 if I find a good deal. I would likely have to spend more for a EF telephoto on the 5D that would be of good quality (and I wouldn't have the reach).