Best Telephoto Canon Lens?

O Smart On

I really need a decent to nice telephoto lens for my Canon T1I since my Sigma 18-200mm non-OS doesn't really produce good images at 100mm+. I've been looking and would you guys recommend the Canon 55-250mm IS, 70-300mm IS non-DO, or the 70-200mm f/4 non-IS? My budget is around $800, but I would like to buy other lenses too. For instance, is the 55-250mm IS good enough? I've seen that it produces very decent images for it's price of $300, but would splashing out another $300 or $500 be worth it? Thanks.

Answer
The Canon "L" lenses are in another class. I had the same Sigma lens, and even if it covers a good focal range, it produced crappy pictures until I replaced it with a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS. Even though you are looking at the f/4 non-IS version, it still is the best of the ones you mention. Since you obviously have an eye for quality, that would be the one to go for.

Get some good reading here:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-L-Lens-Series.aspx

and some great reading here:
http://www.canon-europe.com/Support/Documents/digital_slr_educational_tools/en/ef_lens_work_iii_en.asp

Question about CANON lens ans SLR pricing?

Jimbo

I have my grandpas old canon to sell, It is a Canon rebel S SLR

along with a 50mm EF 1:1.8
a 80-200mm EF 4.5-5.6
and a tamron-f 2x tele-converter (2x c-af bbar mc7)

how much is each of these items worth individually and used?

Answer
It would sell much better as a kit, instead of piece by piece. Somewhere between $100 and $200 would reasonable. You can get $75-$90 for the 50mm EF lens all by itself if it is in good condition. All EF lenses are autofocus, both of those lenses will work on any current Canon camera, film or digital.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is the best all around lens for a Canon Rebel XT?

Clarkbar

Answer
Canon Lenses and Reviews

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/ (See "Recommendations" on this page)
http://www.photo.net/canon/#lense
http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/index.htm
http://www.photozone.de/active/news/index.jsp
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/index.html
http://www.fredmiranda.com
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1029

One of our devoted Canon users recommended the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (28-135 equiv.) (April 2007-$515) as a good "walk around" lens at a good price.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=10511
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-17-85mm-f-4-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Not quite as much of a wide angle, the Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Autofocus Lens (2007-$1,060) is a pretty good all-around lens. This review says, "If I had only one lens, this would be the one."
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Excellent general purpose lens: Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens (April 2007-$1,140)
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-2.8-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

As Karl W suggested, I really like my Nikon 17-55 and Canon makes a comparable lens, the Canon Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Autofocus Lens. It's not an "L" lens, but it seems popular.
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/ef-s_17-55.html

what is the best all round lens for a canon rebel xt digital slr camera?

simon

Answer
Buying a lens should be based on what you like to photograph. It should also be considered an investment. A professional quality lens will, with reasonable care, last your liftime and perhaps even beyond.

Therefore, I caution against simply buying a lens based on someones recommendation. Decide what you like to shoot and base your buying decision on your needs.

If you really like macro photography then buy a true macro lens - not a zoom with the word "macro" as part of its description.

If you love sweeping landscapes then buy an ultra wide angle lens - and a good tripod.

If you like to photograph wildlife then buy a long focus length lens - 300mm, 400mm. Skip the zoom lenses and go for a fixed focal length.

If you like low-light, non-flash photography then buy a 50mm f1.4 lens.

ADMISSION OF PERSONAL BIAS:

I am NOT a fan of zoom lenses with a variable aperture. A lens that loses 1-1/3 stops, like the common f3.5-5.6 zooms, is just not satisfactory. Suppose you're in a situation where shooting "wide open" (f3.5 at 18mm, f5.6 at 200mm) is your only option. If your shutter speed is 1/160 sec. at f3.5, at f5.6 it will drop to 1/60 sec. Unacceptable.

So I suggest looking at constant aperture zooms and fixed focal length primes. I also suggest avoiding Canon's EF-S lenses since they cannot be used on their full-frame cameras like the 5D Mark II or the 1Ds Mark III - unless you're 100% certain that you'll never, ever want a full-frame camera.

I believe that full-frames cameras will be as affordable as your XT within a few years. It would be a shame to own 2 or 3 EF-S lenses and have to sell them (probably at a substantial loss) when you upgrade to a full-frame DSLR.

Remember, the first VHS Video Cassette Recorders (VCR) retailed for about $2,000.00 in 1972 and by 1986 you could buy one for $99.00 if you shopped around. I sold at Circuit City from '86 to '90.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers