Tokina or Canon, which telephoto?

Here's my situation: I need a longer lens, cheap.

I deffinatley want quality all the way. My budget is around $500, I could possibly squeeze out $600. I would be using this on my 10d. I've been looking at the 70-200 f4L for a while now, because of it's high performance and decent price. I'll probably be using it 1/3rd of the time. I have the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 as a walk around right now, which is a wonderful lens, and I have the 50 f1.8 for indoor/low light stuff. I'm missing a longer zoom, and i'm not entirley interested in primes, mostly because it will cost more to get a variety to cover different ranges.

I'de be using the lens mostly for outdoor things such as birding, and other misc things that require a longer range. On top of that, i'll probably use it for some sports. Probably a few HS soccer games, and some mountain bike events. I would tend to use it more for birding and other nature shots.

So, this brings me back to the 70-200. It's priced right around $500, and seems to be a pretty decent lens for the money. I've also come across the Tokina 80-400 f4.5-5.6, which also seems to be very good for the money. Unfortunatley, I can't find a whole lot of information on it.

I'm not sure which lens would be best. I also don't know if there is another lens out there in my price range that would suit me better.

Thanks so much, this forum has taught me a lot!

Well, as soon as you said you wanted to do some sports photography with this lens, the decision was clean, the Canon 70-200 F4L non-IS. The biggest reason is the Tokina has a smaller aperture and lesser auto focus system and speed. Don't get me wrong, there have been some great pictures posted here from that lens, but sports would not be an ideal application for it. That said, the Canon is not completely ideal either, you really would want an F2.8 for that and/or fast primes. If you could squeeze a few more pennies loose, you might consider the Sigma 70-200 F2.8 EX HSM. If not, the Canon does a good job in decent light and fits your budget. I personally use this lens and love it. It is the best value in L lenses.

I second all comments from foty89.

Just one thing more, the EF 70-200 f/4 L takes also very well the 1,4 TC. Probably you will need it for birding to extend the tele range. I have the Kenko 300 DG Pro (for a little more than $110 at my home´s door) and you complete the set for almost a little more than $600.

Here is an exampleof you can get

I third all comments from foty89
I second all comments from Juan Zas

Juan - amazing pic !!! Goes to show how fast and accurate the 70-200 focusses and how sharp a picture you get from it... great advice on the 1.4 tc... its on my list also

You'll need light for this lens at f4 but from what you said it should suit you well and you will be seriously impressed by its image quality, especially at full zoom on a subject when its background is in the distance... gives a great backdrop blur. Go for it and dont look back!

Before going to Africa I had chance to use a Tokina 80-400. I tested it against the 70-300 IS USM....both were comparable at 300mm....but I stuck a 1.4 Kenko TC on the Canon and it beat the Tokina on sharpness at 400mm, plus you get IS and USM! I wouldn't buy the Toki unless you were hard up. They have started selling it in the UK for £599...$1200!! Way over priced for the IQ.

My2C

Neilyb wrote in post #2618150
They have started selling it in the UK for £599...$1200!! Way over priced for the IQ.

most definitely

For Tokina, you can check Condyk's review posted here. search for it.

You might also consider the Canon 200 2.8L II prime, fast, well built, sharp and contrasy, takes 1.4TC .. but not as versatile, Prime vs. Zoom.

if its primarily for outdoors sports, than the 70-200 F4L should be a great lens for the money, and the 200 2.8 prime is also a good though.

for birding, the 70-200, even with a TC, is getting close, but still not long enough to really get great birding shots (in my opinion). so for birding the tokina might be a good alternative, i have thought about adding one to my collection (paired with perhaps a sigma 17-70) as a vacation/light weight setup to cover considerable range, and from what ive read, it has decent enough image quality, i suppose i will be dissapointed in compairison to the long primes im used to using, but it should be fairly good.

In the end, i think the best decision may be a 70-200 and TC for now, and save up for a better birding lens to pair with it later (i highly reccomend the 400 5.6L)

sigma 70-200 f2.8 used, should be able to find a used non-DG version for around 600 USD. the extra f-stop over the f4 will come in handy for you to get faster shutter speeds and freeze action.

Yes, EF 70-200 F4L is great lens, but I'd like to propose EF 70-300 F4-5.6 IS USM, it is longer and have IS. Its price should be in your reach, and after the while you can buy Kenko 1.4 Teleplus Pro 300 DG converter. I have this combo and it is very good, even AF is possible.