Best telephoto lens for 700 or less?

Rexm29 wrote in post #15406511
I am just not really content with the quality, not to mention 200 dollars extra when I can buy the 70-200mm, and later add a tele convertor to get 400mm with the same IQ and similar aperture

minus AF though...

DreDaze wrote in post #15406522
minus AF though...

Hmmm forgot about that. I honestly am not sure at all, I can't really afford much more.I wish there was a 70-300mm L in this price range, would buy that instantly. The tamron has 300mm, but its IQ is low, while also having a relatively slow and sometimes inaccurate Af. The canon 70-200mm could later turn to a 280mm but still would not be as usefull. I feel like there is a gap here in the market, not enough good 70-300mm lenses

There's the 70-300 non-L....

Reach is never cheap.

Good glass costs ya, but you really do get what you pay for

kin2son wrote in post #15406597
There's the 70-300 non-L....

Reach is never cheap.

Good glass costs ya, but you really do get what you pay for

Problem is a also need to buy a gopro 3 black edition which will cost around 450, so I can't go much higher. Ideally I would go for the 100-400mm L, maybe a second version is coming soon pushing the price of the original down? That would be helpfull

Sounds like a used Sigma 150-500 OS would really be your best option. You think the Canon 100-400L IQ is good, and the Sigma isn't far behind it..if at all, so there you go. It is a big, heavy lens though.
Other than that.. your limitations (money, IQ want, and reach...plus zoom), leave you having to compromise somewhere.

Rexm29 wrote in post #15405216
What do you shoot? I am seriously now looking between the 70-200mm L and the Tamron 70-300mm, with the latter appearing to be short on good IQ. Is the Af good?

I don't shoot telephoto very often (in fact, the last time I went back to Canada - a year ago - I left my Tamron there and I haven't missed it at all).

I shoot the moon, and usually whatever non-moving things I find...the AF is great...perhaps not USM great, but I've never had an issue with either. I have, however, had issues with the lack of IS/VC on the Canon.

Here are my shots...the bird one is an unsharpened 100% crop (oh and ignore the train, that was with the Tamron 17-50):

http://www.flickr.com …/?w=24245642@N0​8&q=tamron

I got my 70-200 non is on ebay for $550 2 years ago and today i would still get $550-$600 so getting one used would be the best bet, that way if you feel you need more reach you can sell it for no loss.

I have also used it with the Kenko Pro 300 DG 1.4 but af is just a little slower.

Here are 2 samples taken at 200mm and heavy crop.

rawshorty wrote in post #15406770
I got my 70-200 non is on ebay for $550 2 years ago and today i would still get $550-$600 so getting one used would be the best bet, that way if you feel you need more reach you can sell it for no loss.

I have also used it with the Kenko Pro 300 DG 1.4 but af is just a little slower.

Here are 2 samples taken at 200mm and heavy crop.

Those are really good photos. I can get a 70-200mm new for 650 so I would rather go that way and spend the extra 100 for security

Rexm29 wrote in post #15406869
Those are really good photos. I can get a 70-200mm new for 650 so I would rather go that way and spend the extra 100 for security

Thank you. For $650 new i say jump on it and start taking photos

You have an issue with having to crop heavily, I wouldn't recommend considering a 200mm lens.

You can get a Tamron 70-300 VC for well under your budget, grab a 70-200 F/4 and 1.4x for probably within your budget (2nd hand maybe) and not have IS, get a (2nd hand?) Sigma 120-400 or 150-500, or put the money away until you can afford a 100-400 or 70-300L.

For what it's worth, there is a 80-200L 2.8 posted up in the for sale section that should give you stellar results and ad the flexibility of add a 2x converter down the line with AF. Just a thought.

rawshorty wrote in post #15406770
I got my 70-200 non is on ebay for $550 2 years ago and today i would still get $550-$600 so getting one used would be the best bet, that way if you feel you need more reach you can sell it for no loss.

I have also used it with the Kenko Pro 300 DG 1.4 but af is just a little slower.

Here are 2 samples taken at 200mm and heavy crop.

So if you had a choice between your 150-500mm or your 70-200mm, which would you go with?

Rexm29 wrote in post #15407998
So if you had a choice between your 150-500mm or your 70-200mm, which would you go with?

If i had to choose only one i would keep the 70-200, but on that note i have only had the 150-500 for a few months. I took the 150-500 to the zoo when i got it and got some very good pics with it but it needs a lot of light and is quite heavy, and af is quite slow. When i go bush walking i take the Canon, if i am not going far i take the Sigma. At the end of the day it is a tough choice, if you need 500mm get the sigma, if your happy to crop and want a light lens get the Canon.

rawshorty wrote in post #15409786
If i had to choose only one i would keep the 70-200, but on that note i have only had the 150-500 for a few months. I took the 150-500 to the zoo when i got it and got some very good pics with it but it needs a lot of light and is quite heavy, and af is quite slow. When i go bush walking i take the Canon, if i am not going far i take the Sigma. At the end of the day it is a tough choice, if you need 500mm get the sigma, if your happy to crop and want a light lens get the Canon.

I think I am going to go for the sigma, weight may be an issue but no pain no gain! The 70-200mm f4 may be a later purchase to fill the gap. In fact I am still not sure what lens now that I think about it.The sigma would be for my bird shots, however the 70-200 would be a very versatile lens, but could also be replaced with a 24-105 if I had the sigma! So confusing

Scrumhalf wrote in post #15405856
At the risk of sounding presumptuous, since OP mentioned grandchildren, I would posit that for older people, IS is a must-have IMO.

I agree. I'm old. I need it at 200mm and longer. OP, get the 70-200 f/4 IS USM. $850 should get you a good one.