Cheaper zoom for 300D

It's an idea but I don't think they'd deliver to an address that wasn't registered to the credit card. I will do some research and there may be a place localish to where one or other is staying that has similar or better pricing. One is off to LA for 10 days tomorrow PM and the other I need to check where, but middle next week. I think SF.

LOL

I'm an L lense prima donna!

*wiping his 2500$ L monocle*
Please forgive my snobbism, dear sirs. Let me demonstrate some 600*400 samples from 28-300 zoom. Taken in bright sunlight with a flash, as you see the quality and sharpness is excellent! :p
[/sarcasm]

Medic: Thanks, but it looks like a waste of time.

I must now depart to caress some L glass. I think it's getting lonely.

tata!

The Sigma APO 70-300 lens mentioned above is fine for shots during the day and takes quite nice photos with good contrast, but in low light or indoors I found it to be too slow. I returned it. I wish I hadn't now, the 20D is much better at high ISO than my old 300D was.

Hehe. Wanna swap for your Macro?


condyk: That 2nd bird shot, was only 1/60th compared to 1/250th of the first. The eyes aren't too bad though.

As for its prime shooting range. This shot was at 190mm, before it softens itself off.
It's probably my sharpest aircraft shot taken with this lens.
http://wazza.nfscity.c​om/20d/zk-oji.jpg (f8, ISo 100, 1/320th, in the evening light). Only photoshop alteration, was a slight sharpen.

Edit: Also, where I am.. the 70-200 canon is 3 times more expensive than the 70-300 Sigma.

Wazza wrote:
Hehe. Wanna swap for your Macro?

Edit: Also, where I am.. the 70-200 canon is 3 times more expensive than the 70-300 Sigma.

Swap the one I returned already?

Lenses here are horribly expensive, I don't bother even looking here any more.

I know there are a lot if differing opinions on the tamron 28-300 zoom, I kove it. One for the price. Picked one up for 420USD. has nice range for my all around shooting as I am waiting for a nifty fifty to show up and saving for some nicer (but more $$$) glass. I have found the top end of this lens to get soft but as said some good post processing produces some great shots. The low end is crisp and mid range dont suck.

Getting rid of my old 300D and kit lens for my 20D set me back some cash but I have so far liked tamron products and would definately buy one again. like what I hear about the tamron 28-75 but would miss the long range of the 28-300.

As I've mentioned, will be used outdoors in Africa and Aussie. From experience, I reckon the light will be bright enough most of the time

What about photos at dusk? If it's all you can afford then it's not a bad choice at all, but for what you want i'd go with the 100-400L. Of course that costs quite a lot more.

I have the canon 75-300. It is soft at full zoom. I took a bunch of bird photos yesterday, mainly of woodpeckers. I hate cropping, and I was only about 20 feet away, but it still dissappointed, I had plenty of light too. I can/will argue the point that I wouldn't have the shot at all if I had the kit lens, and its the 300 that stays on my camera all the time. Its more often that I encounter a shot that is too long for the kit lens than is too close for the 300. All in all, I am thinking in a year or so I will invest in some quality "L" glass, and then become a snob. I don't regret the cheaper lens. It has captured some treasured images in the meantime.

I have a 100-400 L and the 75-300 IS. I'm not getting rid of the 75-300, either. It isn't as good as the 100-400, but there are times when the weight of a long L gets in the way. Without the 75-300, I wouldn't have anything along (and my bag weighs in the neighborhood of 30 lb. last I looked, thank you very much!) for when I might need more reach. OTOH, even 300's on the short side for most wildlife photography. Anything shorter just won't cut it unless you're actively stalking your subject.

It's not either/or - you can have both. Buy what works for you now (second hand), learn how to use it, learn what's wrong with it firsthand. Then sell it on e-bay to another beginner, and move up. The difference between what you pay for it and what you get back later is the cost of learning, and you get to have something in your hands right away. Plus, when you do go out to buy a more expensive lens you will know better exactly which features you want.

Spot on DavidEB. Exactly what I thought.

Ok ... after all the research, great advice, and even a few snorts of derision, I have opted for the Sigma APO 70-300 Super II as a 'learning what the hell I'm doing' zoom. Bought one SH for £100 incl P&P, mint, from seller on another forum. Won't lose cash on it if I sell and I'll get several months of use until i head off on next Africa trip. Sorted

Longer term, I have researched and listened and decided (at least at the mo') to go for the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM EX. This is a variation on cactusclay's recommendation. Great reviews, great sample shots, same price as Canon equivelent F4 L new, give or take, but F2.8 and includes tripod mount. Seems to be cheaper SH which is why I fancy it. Will get the Sigma extender too and already have the grip to give better balance with a heavier lens. If a bargain Canon 70-200 L + extender or 100-400 L came up I would also be happy to take it, of course.

Am also considering the Tamron SP 24-135 as a carry everywhere replacement for the kit lens. The extra zoom would make it really practical for around town shots where you don't want to be flashing big zooms around. We'll see how well the kit lens performs. Initial test shots indoors seem encouraging.

Anyway, 300D/Rebel finally arrived from US ebay seller this AM. No VAT/Duty and the guy had even gift wrapped it so felt like Xmas! Total for camera and lens kit £310 and P&P/Insurance £35, which is a steal compared to the Joker who charges £80 P&P PLUS insurance. Lovely jubbly! Grip £70, Sigma zoom £100. Bargain city in my place today! A great camera, so one happy bunny! Seller is caller 'custom-tek' if anyone interested, tho' dunno if he has any left!

Thanks for all the help ... now, where's the decent weather?

condyk wrote:
Spot on DavidEB. Exactly what I thought.

Ok ... after all the research, great advice, and even a few snorts of derision, I have opted for the Sigma APO 70-300 Super II as a 'learning what the hell I'm doing' zoom. Bought one SH for £100 incl P&P, mint, from seller on another forum. Won't lose cash on it if I sell and I'll get several months of use until i head off on next Africa trip. Sorted

Longer term, I have researched and listened and decided (at least at the mo') to go for the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM EX. This is a variation on cactusclay's recommendation. Great reviews, great sample shots, same price as Canon equivelent F4 L new, give or take, but F2.8 and includes tripod mount. Seems to be cheaper SH which is why I fancy it. Will get the Sigma extender too and already have the grip to give better balance with a heavier lens. If a bargain Canon 70-200 L + extender or 100-400 L came up I would also be happy to take it, of course.

Am also considering the Tamron SP 24-135 as a carry everywhere replacement for the kit lens. The extra zoom would make it really practical for around town shots where you don't want to be flashing big zooms around. We'll see how well the kit lens performs. Initial test shots indoors seem encouraging.

Anyway, 300D/Rebel finally arrived from US ebay seller this AM. No VAT/Duty and the guy had even gift wrapped it so felt like Xmas! Total for camera and lens kit £310 and P&P/Insurance £35, which is a steal compared to the Joker who charges £80 P&P PLUS insurance. Lovely jubbly! Grip £70, Sigma zoom £100. Bargain city in my place today! A great camera, so one happy bunny! Seller is caller 'custom-tek' if anyone interested, tho' dunno if he has any left!

Thanks for all the help ... now, where's the decent weather?

Whos a happy bunny today then...

Guess this means rain for the entire easter holidays...

Dante King wrote in post #448175
I know there are a lot if differing opinions on the tamron 28-300 zoom, I kove it.

Getting rid of my old 300D and kit lens for my 20D set me back some cash but I have so far liked tamron products and would definately buy one again. like what I hear about the tamron 28-75 but would miss the long range of the 28-300.

Thanks Mr Dante ... seems good advice

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #447795
I'm an L lense prima donna!

Medic: Thanks, but it looks like a waste of time.

Thanks Doc ...

DavidEB wrote in post #460654
...when you do go out to buy a more expensive lens you will know better exactly which features you want.

Good advice ... thanks a lot Mr DavidEB

johndm wrote in post #460674
Whos a happy bunny today then...

Dunno John, what happened to you? You still shooting that crummy L trombone? You still around all this time after my first post back in March 2005?

From 1 to 10,000th for me

Well done, Dave. I had a feeling you would do something different than most for your milestone post. (Congrats, btw).