Looking for a *cheap* telephoto....

I know a guy that is a nursing student here in the US from Ivory Coast. He's shooting a 20D that someone gave him. A good photographer for a newbie...but clueless as to how much this stuff costs.

His Budget? Initially he said "about $50-60." [LIke I said, he's clueless as to how much this stuff costs!!] I told him I would try to help him out by matching that, if I can. So we're looking at $125 but no more than $150 tops for our budget.

He already has the 18-55 kit lens. So I'm looking for something to go longer.

Maybe I've been in "L" territory too long....but about the only lens I can think of is a used Canon 75-300mm. Anything else I might want to consider? Non-Canon recommendations welcome.

Obviously, glass quality is not really at issue here. So....please!! No beating up on "cheap glass" -- I know this stuff is budget performance at its best!!!! Negative comments will only be allowed IF you're willing to pony up some of your own money to help me get him a 55-250mm!!! I just can't swing that much extra myself right now....

Thanks!

75-300 is your only option I think, even used.

Since I'm keeping my Bigmos I don't need the 100-300 USM. PM me if interested.

used:
Canon) 55-200, 80-200, 90-300, 70-210 F4, 75-300
Tamron) 80-210, older 75-300

New:
Sigma) 55-200, 70-300 (non-APO)
Tamron) 75-200 (non DI), 55-200 (after rebate)

My vote would be the Tamron 55-200 if you can swing the rebate, other wise one of the newer Sigmas.

Tkbslc -- thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for!

Waldermar -- I'm not ready to move right this second...but I will keep you in mind. Thanks!

Any more suggestions? Let me know....

And If any of these are hidden "gems", that would be good to know as well. I went straight from FD glass on my old AE-1 to 70-200 on my 40D....so I skipped over quite a bit of the low-end EF-mount market. Not sure if any of these are "better" than the others.

Thanks....

I would suggest a used Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro

...even saw one selling for $150 at this link...

Pixel9ine wrote in post #8497387
I would suggest a used Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro.

Thanks...

FYI....the 75-30mm is my 'baseline' for what I consider to be a cheap lens in this range. The only other 'cheap' telephoto I've used (on an EF mount, mind you!) is the 55-250mm....and that one I think is just too expensive to fork out right now.

So I realize calling a lens "better" in the $125-ish range is risky....and might even be too far below your "L"-loving pay grades! But keep in mind who it's for (per the original question). So any 'better' comparisons will be taken FWIW.

I have the sigma 70-300 APO and love it. Very good for the price. Just dont plan on taking low light shots without some sort of mount.

PackingMyBags wrote in post #8497684
I have the sigma 70-300 APO and love it. Very good for the price. Just dont plan on taking low light shots without some sort of mount.

I'll investigate this lens some more. Thanks. [Obviously, at the price he's looking at....low-light performance is going to be marginal at best!! ]

a canon 90-300 mm is also verycheap

I've seen the 55-250 go for $175 in the bs forum. Maybe post a wtb thread and give your explanation. If I was selling one, I wouldn't mind "paying it forward" and taking a $25 hit. Just an idea. The 55-250 is pretty well regarded from what I ubderstand. I also, like you, went straight to the L tele's so I can't help too much more. Thanks!

PackingMyBags wrote in post #8497684
I have the sigma 70-300 APO and love it. Very good for the price. Just dont plan on taking low light shots without some sort of mount.

I second this, it was my very first telephoto lens!

I'd suggest a used Sigma. Always available locally at very good prices.

I also suggest the 55-250 IS lens.

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys!

I'd love to wait out and generate some funds for a Canon 55-250mm....but that might no be possible at the moment.

Curious....Is there significant difference between the Sigma 70-300mm with and w/o APO? I've never personally been drawn to any Sigma lens (from my old FD days), but this lens sounds promising given the budgetary constraints.

Gracious....