75-300mm or better alternative?

Hey all,

I'm thinking about getting a longer zoom, as i borrowed a 75-300 from a friend and quite liked the extra versatility. I was just wondering whether it would be better for me to buy the kit lens, or go for an alternative!?!

I know evryone is a bit down on the quality of the 75-300, and i'm curious about your opinions on similar lenses. Looking to spend, at most, £250.

I'm looking for something that'll be workable in various situations, from portraits to sports to macro (well, macroesque anyway)..

Thanks

The Canon 75 - 300 is out of production now, so the only way you would get one is second hand, or old store stock. Now the new Canon 70 - 300 coming back into stock and most reviews are very favorable on it. It is not the fastest lens, but it is a good lens for the price and has built in IS.

As for the kit lens, there are many opinions on this. It is a good lens when used within it's limits, but it does have fairly confined limits.

Many here have gone with the Sigma 17 - 70, Sigma 18 - 50, Tamaron 17 - 50, of for those with the funds, the Canon 17 - 55 2.8 USM IS.

Before buying any lens, it is important to determin what kind of photography you want to do. That will determin how fast the lenses need to be and how long or short as well. It is also important to determine how much you want to spend and how serious you want to get into the hobby. If you aren't that interested in it, it is not really the smartest thing to lock up large amounts of money in lenses that won't be used.

Nothing beats having that extra 100mm reach over lets say a 70-200..i did use the 75-300 USM then used a 70-200 f/2.8L IS. I gotta say the 300 has the longer reach but the colors arent up to par or even close to the 70-200.

You can try to find a used 70-200 f/4L and its an extremly sharp lens. I just purchased a used one for 475$ shipped with paypal and everything included, i know the 300 goes for 200$US brand new but i opted for something that i would enjoy.

Try to find a used one if possible if not you can purchase the 70-300 IS for around 450$ i believe.

Also, if IS is not important to you, the Sigma 70 - 300 has a very good reputaiton as a consumer zoom.

Or and if u wanna replace the kit lens then get the Tamron 17-50 seems like its top notch right now, plus it shares the same filter as the 70-200 f/4L if u decide to go that route

The 75-300 is still in production, in the two non-IS versions. The Sigma 70-300 runs around the same price and seems to have a somewhat better reputation. The Canoon 100-300 is looked on with even more favour.

Even new, the Canon 70 - 200 f4 is a tad under $600, not bad at all and a very nice lens indeed. It is also not far from the 70 - 300 IS lens, just to confuse matters a bit.

That is a nice benefit as it does save you the cost of another good CP.

It is the 75-300 IS that is obsolete now, replaced by the 70-300 IS which is actually a very good lens.

The consumer grade 75-300 canon lenses - with and without USM are very cheaply built and very affordable. Image quality is OK, but for many people that is more than enough.
however if you want one of these lenses, you would do FAR better to get the sigma 70-300 APO macro - it's the more expensive one at about £165, with the red ring at the front element. Image quality and build quality knocks spots off the Canon offerings, at a better price too.

Remember at 300mm camera shake is a beast, you will need a tripod for that length, even with fast shutter speeds. that's why the IS version is so useful, but you pay plenty for that feature.

check out The Digital Picture for a good general education on Canon lenses and accessories. He also reviews some third party stuff.

what do u mean the 70-300 IS is not far from the 70-200 f/4L?

I have the same issues, wanting the reach. I think I'm going for the 70-200 f4 ASA the rebates come out or maybe even before. I think I will upgrade later, but need the reach.

In terms of cost, the two are less than $100 different.

yea i needed the reach to and then had to get it lol.

Theres one for sale for 550$ used/shipped/paypal everything included in the Sell section if anyone is interested

Thanks for the replies everyone, i knew that would throw up some lenses i hadn't thought of.

Yea but the optics and sharpness go to the L for sure and i think thats worth 100$ i mean hell i got mine used for the price of a new IS and its only used 3month lol