Searching for a compact tele lens for a upcoming trip to sweden

Hi guys!

I'm totally new to this forum. I shoot with a Canon 5D Classic and am going on vacation to sweden in early august.

For this trip, I'm still looking for a compact telephoto to take along my 20-35 L, 28 1.8 and manual 85 1.8.

Looking around, there seem to be two options which look nice and compact. The Canon 70-300 DO (used ca. 400€) and the Tokina 80-400 II (used ca. 250€).

I've found a lot of bad reviews and a lot of fans of both lenses. I like the build and focusing of the canon but would enjoy the 400mm of the Tokina!

Any suggestions?

I'm not a huge telephoto guy and normally don't shoot much longer than my Nikkor Ai 135mm f2.8, therefore I can't justify the expense of the 100-400 L just for the trip and maybe a little else!

Cheers,

MoWe

Consider renting. That gets you the lens you want without the long term commitment.

Heya,

Depends on budget, but really, the 70-300 Canons are good options if you want a compact long reaching lens. Doesn't get more compact at 300mm on this format than the 300 DO IS.

Otherwise, there are 28-300 options out there that are super zooms.

Very best,

Renting costs me about 450€ for the 2 weeks for a 100-400. That is a lot of money for 2 weeks!

I rather buy used and sell again later if I don't use it anymore. That should be cheaper but the cash for a used 100-400 isn't there.

How is the new Tamron 70-300 compared to the DO?

I dont think that a superzoom will do the trick as good as the baddest of the 70-300 mm.

MoWePhoto wrote in post #17876227
Renting costs me about 450€ for the 2 weeks for a 100-400. That is a lot of money for 2 weeks!

I rather buy used and sell again later if I don't use it anymore. That should be cheaper but the cash for a used 100-400 isn't there.

How is the new Tamron 70-300 compared to the DO?

I dont think that a superzoom will do the trick as good as the baddest of the 70-300 mm.

How about 70-200mm f4L non IS? Its cheap and very good optically and AFAIK the tamron 70-300mm is Di lens which means only for aps-c, I could be wrong though.

Also you mentioned that you normally dont shoot more than 135mm, so I guess the 70-200mm f4L is best suited for you.

EDIT: Tamron 70-300mm can be used on FF.

canon sl1 + 55-250 stm

I'll 2nd the SL1 with a 55-250 stm. SL1 is my favorite vacation camera, so lightweight

WildlifeGuy05 wrote in post #17876438
I'll 2nd the SL1 with a 55-250 stm. SL1 is my favorite vacation camera, so lightweight

I would also add the 24 2.8 pancake

I was thinking that too! Can't really beat a 2 lens+ camera set up with total weight under 2.5 lbs..

WildlifeGuy05 wrote in post #17876447
I was thinking that too! Can't really beat a 2 lens+ camera set up with total weight under 2.5 lbs..

I used the 24mm sl1 combo on my last vaca. I wish I hadn't sold my 55-250stm lens tho

I have a 5D classic as well.

Among those to consider (the top four I'd look at):

Canon 28-135 3.5-5.6 IS - it is great on full frame; not so great on crop. I bought a mint copy/used last week for $125 USD
Canon 70-300 4-5.6 IS (the non-L version) - again loved mine on the full frame. Probably can get one for $200 USD or less if you look hard enough. Some like the Tamron better.
Tamron 70-300 VC - probably equal to the above Canon version. A bit more expensive and you might not like its reverse mechanism if you are used to Canon lenses.
Canon 70-200 f/4 or f/4 IS (spend as little as $750 for the IS version)

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MoWePhoto wrote in post #17876227
Renting costs me about 450€ for the 2 weeks for a 100-400. That is a lot of money for 2 weeks!

Yes, you are right. .Renting is usually a horrible idea! .Why? .Because it is so ridiculously expensive.
You could buy a new 100-400v2 for $2100 USD, use it on your trip, then sell it for $1900 USD.
Even after PayPal fees are considered, you will pay about half of what you would if you rented the lens.

MoWePhoto wrote in post #17876145
I'm not a huge telephoto guy and normally don't shoot much longer than my Nikkor Ai 135mm f2.8, therefore I can't justify the expense of the 100-400 L just for the trip and maybe a little else!

If you don't normally shoot longer than 135mm, then why do you anticipate shooting at longer focal lengths when you are in Sweden? .Are your photographic objectives going to change just because you are in a different area? .What is it that you plan on shooting at more than 135mm when you are in Sweden?. Why do you plan on shooting that subject at longer focal lengths than what you normally use?


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70-300L, 70-300 VC, 70-300 USM, 70-300 DO. That would be my personal preference.

one slightly oddball selection might be the tamron 28-300 pzd. You're only resolving 12mp, and that single lens might be able to resolve enough for that camera.

Ok... define "compact" ... i think short and light weight

Vacation cameras: G15 & SX50.