Inexpensive telephoto option?

Charlie wrote in post #16918464
well, definitely not tamrons best focusing. It is USD (silent with FTM), but it's not on the level of their more expensive 24-70.

I just meant that it used their USD focus system, that's all.

Wow you're right, it is that low. Sorry, I hadn't been searching well enough. That's what I can find it for now on eBay (without digging; I'm sure there are better deals), but several here have gone for $300-325. As the OP isn't in a hurry, I'd keep an eye out for one of those.

EDIT - $360 OBO - http://www.ebay.com …enses&hash=item​462032f6d6
$330 buy it now - http://www.ebay.com …enses&hash=item​3a90b61d9a
$355 buy it now - http://www.ebay.com …enses&hash=item​338eeeb10c

$325 here, but seller seems unresponsive: https://photography-on-the.net …=1360706&highli​ght=70-300

Disclaimer - These aren't vouching for the sellers, just a few links I found.

Another vote for the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6.

That, or find a EF 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, but it doesn't have IS. The good thing is it can be had for under $150.

Well, I admit without shame, with my first DSLR I went for "inexpensive telephoto"...

My "problem" was that I was wanting a "good performance telephoto", which doesn't quite go along with "inexpensive"! I was trying for things like wildlife, birds in flight, and especially those distant things, especially things that were in lower light and needed to be shot in wider apertures...I realized that I had to ditch the "inexpensive" part!

But, hey, enough of "raining on your parade, because I got some pretty good results with my old "consumer telephoto zoom" lens, the old EF 70-300 IS...as long as you don't "push" your expectations to the limit!

EF 75-300 III version is not that bad at all. It is sharper than EF 70-300 IS USM but has some more CA. I also had Tamron 70-300 VC, but it was also somewhat soft at 300mm wide open.

I would go with the Tamron over the Canon EF 70-300 IS. The Canon is not a ring USM auto focus system, but instead uses an inferior micro motor (similar to the Canon 50mm f/1.4). It's auto focus is rather lackluster, and the lens is more expensive than the Tamron. I also found the Canon rather soft at 300mm.

only way you can go wrong on a Tamron 70-300 VC is to buy an early serial # lens (don't remember exactly but could be below xxxx5000) that had focusing issues. Problem was resolved in later production runs.

otherwise it's a very good lens w/excellent (almost spooky) VC

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #16919204
That, or find a EF 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, but it doesn't have IS. The good thing is it can be had for under $150.

+1 - I was looking through the posts specifically to see if this had been mentioned yet. I've seen some go for as low as $70 locally.

EF 100-300 F/5.6 L

$250

AF is slow but usable. no IS

optics outperform you 55-250 easily

another vote for the tamron 70-300 vc usd...
I got it brand new form a rebate for 220€, it's worth every it costs... fast AF, well built, quite decent IQ.

Owl_79 wrote in post #16919250
EF 75-300 III version is not that bad at all. It is sharper than EF 70-300 IS USM but has some more CA. I also had Tamron 70-300 VC, but it was also somewhat soft at 300mm wide open.

i've never heard anyone say the 75-300mm is better than the 70-300IS...is there any evidence of this?

thecarfilmer wrote in post #16918368
the Tamron 70-300 VC could work for you

This. I had it and it's an excellent lens.

How does the tamron 70-300 VC compare to canon's 55-250 STM?

I've been thinking about the former for a while after finding out that some copies are plenty sharp for my needs at 300mm unlike what I've read in reviews, but I'm curious as to whether the latter has better image quality.

I can get the 70-300 new with student discount for $300, so it appears to come out cheaper than the 55-250 as well.

pwk wrote in post #16925312
How does the tamron 70-300 VC compare to canon's 55-250 STM?

I've been thinking about the former for a while after finding out that some copies are plenty sharp for my needs at 300mm unlike what I've read in reviews, but I'm curious as to whether the latter has better image quality.

I can get the 70-300 new with student discount for $300, so it appears to come out cheaper than the 55-250 as well.

Honestly I'd just ask yourself what's more important, having wider reach at 55mm or longer reach at 300mm. The IQ is as near as makes no difference imo though I have a feeling the Canon would focus better (and much quieter). I'd still go with the Tamron though simply because I like to MF and STM lenses are a PITA for that imo.

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #16925326
Honestly I'd just ask yourself what's more important, having wider reach at 55mm or longer reach at 300mm. The IQ is as near as makes no difference imo though I have a feeling the Canon would focus better (and much quieter). I'd still go with the Tamron though simply because I like to MF and STM lenses are a PITA for that imo.

I'm not fussed about the 55mm distance really, I'll be using a 17-50 lens to compliment it. Probably going to go that route if there isn't a significant difference because I know that the STM's FTM implementation would drive me crazy if I forgot to wake the camera first. Thanks for that tip!