a good lens for Canon rebel xt (zoom lens)

Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 for Canon

05/11/2010 09:09:32 PM · #1

hey guys so ive been trying to research what zoom lens to get. im not looking to buy it brand new since all of them are out of my budget. which my budget is only like 100-400. im a noob in the camera scene and love taking pictures of action sports (baseball, surfing etc). i need help trying to figure out which lens to get cause i have no idea what im looking at. any input will be greatly appreciated. thank you

giantmike

Canon EOS R6

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

05/11/2010 09:17:39 PM · #2

For sports, you will likely want to get a longer lens. I recently purchased the Canon EF 70-300 F/4-5.6 IS USM (note the IS, it's important) for about $470 as a refurbished from Adorama. I have only had it for a week, but thus far have been pretty impressed. Previously I had the Canon EF-S 55-250 IS (about $220 refurbished), which was ok, but never really impressed me much.

I would highly checking out the used/refurbished departments departments of Adorama and B&H. Great prices on really nice lenses.

Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 for Canon

05/11/2010 09:25:49 PM · #3

thaanks man i will do that right now!

05/11/2010 09:26:31 PM · #4

I just posted one for sale in that price range earlier today. Since you don't have a pay membership, you would not have access to the buy/sell forum to have seen it. It is one of these. PM me if you would like further details.

michaelmonn

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

05/11/2010 09:29:26 PM · #5

//www.keh.com

GREAT used gear. if you could extend your price range 100$$ higher you could pick up a used 70-200 F/4 L a beautiful lens.

Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 for Canon

05/11/2010 09:32:40 PM · #6

yea man keh.com is great! i bought my camera from there and it came in mint condition

KristinaG

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

05/11/2010 10:03:18 PM · #7

Are you planning on upgrading your rebel any time soon? That is the question.
A while back, I was buying myself a zoom lens, but as a college student am on a VERY tight budget. So I had to make that decision, and decided that No, I was planning on sticking with a cheaper SLR for the next while. So I got the EF-S 50-200 IS, instead of a much more expensive EF.
I ended up also getting it refurbished and got it for only 150 bucks. Sweet Deal for my budget, and so far it has served me very well.

As said though, if you are aspiring to greater things, that is probably not the lens for you.

Zeissman

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

05/13/2010 12:41:21 PM · #8

The 55-250 should be fine for outdoor sports. The max f-stop is a little limited but you won't be able to do much better without paying 5-10x more. I have one for my rebel T1i and I haven't used it a lot but what I have shot with it was good. the 250 will get you 400mm equiv on film. Even though it has IS you still may need a tripod or at least a beanbag for support at full zoom.

Simms

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/13/2010 01:03:02 PM · #9

Not trying to split hairs - but are you after a zoom or a telephoto-zoom? A great zoom lens in your budget would be the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 - super sharp, fast and a great price.

SaraR

Sony Alpha a7R III

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

05/13/2010 01:10:59 PM · #10

A zoom lens is simply a lens that covers a variety of focal lengths, as opposed to a prime lens which is at a fixed focal length. You can wide-angle zooms, telephoto zooms, and zooms that cover the entire 18-200mm range. Which type to go for depends on the sort of things you enjoy shooting. For sports or wildlife a telephoto zoom is obviously needed - a good starter lens would be the Sigma 70-300mm F5.6 DG APO - not sure how much it is in the States, but I would think you could pick one up for around $300. For landscapes you will want to be looking at a wide-angle, although I'm not sure how much of an improvement you will get on your kit lens (assuming you have one) for the money you can spend at the moment. Hopefully someone else can chime in on the ultra zooms.

Edit: Damn that Simms, he beet me to it, and with a good suggestion!

Message edited by author 2010-05-13 13:11:54.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

05/13/2010 01:22:38 PM · #11

Originally posted by SaraR:

a good starter lens would be the Sigma 70-300mm F5.6 DG APO - not sure how much it is in the States,

Nuts. I'd decided what lens I was going to buy soon and now you've added another one into the mix. Back to the reviews...

Zeissman

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

05/13/2010 03:31:46 PM · #12

I don't believe that lens has any sort of image stabilization.

LN13

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

05/13/2010 03:41:41 PM · #13

The Sigma 70-300 APO

SaraR mentioned does not have stabilization.

That being said, I have one that I am willing to sell. PM me if you are interested.

(I just recently got the Canon 55-250 IS and love it).

Message edited by author 2010-05-13 15:42:50.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

05/13/2010 03:51:17 PM · #14

Originally posted by larryslights:

(I just recently got the Canon 55-250 IS and love it).

Actually, that was the one I had previously decided upon, and yes, I'm afraid the IS is a biggie for me.

Zeissman

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

05/13/2010 07:22:08 PM · #15

For the price range I do not think that the 55-250 IS can be beaten.

It is $200 for a refurb at Adorama.

//www.adorama.com/CA55250AFSR.html

LN13

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

05/13/2010 07:49:01 PM · #16

Originally posted by Zeissman:

For the price range I do not think that the 55-250 IS can be beaten.

It is $200 for a refurb at Adorama.

//www.adorama.com/CA55250AFSR.html

$194.95 plus shipping at B&H

giantmike

Canon EOS R6

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

05/24/2010 11:57:17 PM · #17

Ok, I realize this isn't an exact comparison, but most of the setup was the same (with the exception of aperture/shutter speed). Nevertheless, you can see how much better the 70-300 is over the 55-250.

First, the EF-S 55-250 IS. This is the best moon shot I had ever gotten with it, which for a while I thought was decent (at least up on a big screen as a background image).

Next, a similar moon with the EF 70-300 IS.

As you can clearly see, the more expensive 70-300 is much clearer at the long end. Plus it focuses faster, can be used with extension tubes, can be used on a full frame DSLR, and has multiple IS modes. I bought mine refurbished for $480.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

05/25/2010 12:02:14 AM · #18

Originally posted by giantmike:

No argument. However, the 55-250 is incredible for the price. I got mine the other day and I'm quite pleased with it.

scooter97

Canon EOS-6D

05/25/2010 12:08:54 AM · #19

Bought the EF-S 55-250 IS and returned it after 2 weeks. Slow to focus and lack of sharpness did it in. I have nice telephoto lenses but I was looking for a replacement for my 35-128 IS lens.

05/25/2010 12:11:53 AM · #20

I'm sure when I get the 70-300 USM I will also feel that way. Depends on what you are used to using. The Tamron 28-300 was awesome when I got it. Now I've become more nitpicky, but I've gotten my money's worth out of the Tammy and don't regret the purchase.

Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 for Canon

05/31/2010 11:52:45 PM · #21

thanks guys i will post up what lens that i get in the next couple of weeks! all of the info was great!

06/01/2010 12:05:26 AM · #22

Got the 55-250 a couple of weeks back. I'm quite pleased with it and have no problem recommending it for anyone on a tight budget. I will admit that it is indeed slow to focus, especially in marginal light. For such a price it is outstanding and I don't think it is fair to knock it for such modest flaws at that price. You don't get L glass for that money.

Message edited by author 2010-06-01 00:08:58.

bnilesh

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/01/2010 12:54:43 AM · #23

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Congratulations!! You can enjoy them even more with set of extension tube. I have brought Kenko & impressive build quality.

06/01/2010 01:02:42 AM · #24

Originally posted by bnilesh:

Congratulations!! You can enjoy them even more with set of extension tube. I have brought Kenko & impressive build quality.

I might have a look into those. Thanks for the suggestion. Be advised however, I'm looking to knock a few of your images off of the equipment page for that lens.

Message edited by author 2010-06-01 01:03:28.

bnilesh