Cheaper zoom for 300D

Just bought a 300D with kit lens. Pretty much total newbie in DSLR world, though had digitals for several years, incl. nice Panny FZ3, and used to have a Sigma SA5 a few years back with a big 400mm lens which worked well. So, keen, but know nowt and need help!! I'd like mto make it a real hobby now I have more time.

Anyway, need a zoom ... budget up to £200/US$400 and happy with new or VGC second hand. Age not an issue. It'll be used for wildlife and birds mainly (95%) and primarily in Africa and Australia. Probably not too big/heavy would be best, if possible.

I am thinking maybe 300mm would do but 400mm would be great if I can find one. I appreciate zooms are 'bigger' with this camera Needs to be very decent quality, but clearly not top notch due to budget constraints. Decent resale value is an issue as I'll probably get a top notch lens in time.

I am thinking of the Sigma 70-300 APO, Canon EOS EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 AF, 400mm f5.6 SIGMA HSM and Sigma 135-400mm f4.5-5.6 APO, but this list primarily based on what I have found on second hand market so far. Any user experience of these would really be helpful. I guess the Sigma 70-300 APO is a safer bet as would be new.

Any suggestions very welcome

Not too big and heavy excellent quality 70-200 f4 with 1.4 TC= 448mm. There are used ones around, but I don't know if they are quite as cheap as you are looking for.

Assume that's a Canon lens? The reviews look good but pricing too high, even second hand Nice sugestion for future tho'.

Yes, it is ... the Canon EF 70-200/4L ... about $580.

The Canon 1.4 extender is about $280

This combination would be much better than anything you've listed, but it's also obviously out of your price range.

I believe the Canon 100-300 is held in higher regard than any of the 75-300 lenses.

You are asking for a crappy lens.

Anytime "cheap" is combined with "zoom", poop is produced.

Ok ... I may as well just give up then and go back to point and shoot. Thanks a lot for your advice Must be nice having money to burn.

I have the Canon EOS EF 75-300mm and it's ok for the price. It hunts a lot sometimes if you're not shooting outside in the day light. Pictures can be a rather soft but they do sharpen nicely with some USM. I haven't tried those other lenses yet though.

condyk wrote:
Ok ... I may as well just give up then and go back to point and shoot. Thanks a lot for your advice Must be nice having money to burn.

There is no need to get upset about the advice you are being given. Even though it may not be worded to your liking, Doc is giving you practical advice. You may want to spend a small amount of money now, but a "get whatever you can now" attitude will only lead to disappointment later. I had the same attitude once until I actually sat down and actually asked myself how happy I would be with "decent" so-so quality and soft pictures requiring alot of PS help. You said in your original post you wanted a "very decent" lens....how happy will you be with a lower end lens honestly?

I do not know your financial situation, but the best route may be to spend a little time with the 300D and kit lens and get to know the camera while you save up some money. Being upset about the reality of lens qualities vs. pricing will not make the lens any more affordable.

Ok, thanks Ogrt48

As I mentioned, I'll mainly use it in Africa and Aussie and so lots of light outdoors. It's looking like the best all round option for my current budget. Shame pricing is same in pounds as in US$'s tho!!

Doesn't a 1.4 TC make a 70-200 a 98-280mm, not a 448mm?

I have the Sigma 70-300. Does the job for bright situations. But I find it's very soft from 200-300mm. I'm only using it to shoot aircraft.

But I also shot these with it:

http://wazza.nfscity.c​om/20d/prey.jpg
http://wazza.nfscity.c​om/20d/prey2.jpg
The zoom was probably a bit over 200mm at the time. The lens can only stop down to 5.6 when extended that far, so you have to rely on higher ISO. I was using ISO 800 at the time, and could have probably used 1600.

Good luck in your quest for a good quality starter lens.

I was adding the 1.6 crop factor.

They are factoring in the 1.6 crop factor for the sensor size. Effective range is 448...

Oops...beat me to it...hehe...

He figured in the 1.6 factor to account for the sensor size.
200 * 1.4 * 1.6 = 448 which would be the approximate 35mm equivalent.

Wow! Like sharks in feeding frenzy, we are.....