Lens Focus Speed

Okay;

For less than $1K

What would you rate as above average zoom lenses based on focus speed?

I'm looking at something like the 70-200 F4 lens or something similar.

I just jumped from a canon G2 to a DReb and I am shopping for my second lens. I'd rather not buy a stopgap lens that is going to gather dust in 6mos or a year when I want to graduate to a better lens.

So; that being said, what do y'all think?

-Tom D.
(As a long time lurker; I just want to thank everyone for all the advice and insight this board has given me before purchasing my first Dslr!)

The 70-200 is a most excellent lens. One of the best zooms on the market.

well ive just bought a 70-200 and im very pleased with it indeed.
but if i was looking again, I might consdier the sigma 70-200 2.8 for the extra stop.
canon do simlar lens but its very expensive.
martin

I've been using the 70-200 f2.8 sigma for the past few months, perhaps over 5000 shots... all sports. I really like it. The extra speed has sure come in handy. Then again, I've never used anything else so I don't have a comparison... so I guess ignorance really is bliss!

Zoom lenses with very fast Autofocus?... under $1,000.00?

Seems the two 70-200mmL s are the obvious choices...

17-40mm is pretty peppy...

I can't think of another

Non-Canon?.. Both the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 and 50-500mmEX were very fast to Autofocus... probably not as fast as the Canon's.. but very close.

If you want a Canon zoom lens that focuses quickly, look for a lens with USM - Ultra Sonic Motor. Sigma has something similar, but they call it HSM.

The speed of auto-focus also depends on the body, not only on the lens.

Almost all the lenses, especially the USM ones from Canon and the HSM ones from Sigma, will focus MUCH faster than your old G2 camera. Even my Sigma 15-30, which has relatively slow and loud AF motor, jumps in focus almost instantly, comparing to my old Minolta Dimage 7i.

The real question is - what will you shoot with it ? Even the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 MkII (non-USM) is capable of (relatively) fast focusing on 10D / 300D body. In fact, I did a test once which showed that this lens was capable of tracking several cars, which were moving at speeds of about 40-60 km/h.