Telephoto Lens Poll

Looking to purchase a new lens in the next few months and can't make up my mind. So I figured I'd put out a poll.

Looking at either the Sigma 70-200 OS F2.8 / Tamron VC 70-200 F2.8 / Canon EF 70-200 IS F4L or EF 70-300L. They're all around $1100-$1500.

95% of the time the only thing I shoot is pictures of my kids. I'm not a professional and have no plans to ever shoot for money. Most of the time it would be outside during the day (sports, beach, lake cabin, park) and maybe a few shots during the evening. Right now I wouldn't ever use it inside but maybe in the future for school/sporting events.

Looks like the early consensus is to stick with Canon....

I voted Sigma. But, I'm biased - I own the OS version.

Looks like the mods handled your other issue.

I have the 70D also and kept my 60D, my original DSLR. The 70-300L was my second lens.. the first, the one we share: the 15-85.

I love my 70-300L. I mostly shoot outside in good sunlight and the extra 100mm comes in handy for birds, esp. I'm sure it would be great for kids as well. Check out the POTN 70-300L thread. You'll see people use it for various genres: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=922576

I will say... the f/2.8 lenses are great for separation of the main subject in a photograph.

Just watched this last night, I'd go with the Tamron (as I already planned)

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=P80BpSQIIto

I'm pretty sure I'd be happy with any of the lenses, but when you spend that kind of money, you want to be sure.
It's almost an impossible decision, no matter what I'm gonna be happy with the pro's of a certain lenses and occasionally miss the benefits of the other lens. I change my mind everyday.

There is no "None of the Above" choice.

newphoto wrote in post #16925303
There is no "None of the Above" choice.

I agree!

newphoto wrote in post #16925303
There is no "None of the Above" choice.

What would you suggest for the OP's needs and budget?

I suppose I should of put an "other" option. Just couldn't think of anything else that interests me. I want the versatility of a zoom. The EF 100-400L didn't really interest me, maybe it should? I'm open to suggestions, I'm pretty new to photography.

In that FL zoom I vote for Tamron, I went with Sigma-my only lens purchase regret. If I could do it over again it would be Tamron no doubt. Personaly I just don't use that zoom range enough to justify the Canon surcharge.

EF 70-200 2.8 (non-is).

I would be interested in knowing why people are recommending the Canon f4 and the Canon 70-300L. For what you are going to be shooting - kids outdoors - I would think that your efforts would benefit greatly if shallow depth-of-field were available to you, and f2.8 is going to help with that much more than f4 will.

The 80-200mm 2.8. Magic drainpipe. It has the best image quality/price ratio if you can pick up one second hand.