ANOTHER lens help thread :-\

[Brettles]

Well i was buying a 50d for xmas, but the sale fell through and have decided to wait a couple of months to get a 7d, but now im left with near on $1k to spend on pressies.

Id really love to get a 100mm macro lens and a decent telephoto of at least 250 up to 400mm

can anyone recommend a combo of both lens that i may come close to getting for this price?

[infl3xion]

Hmm, won't be able to get 400mm reach with a $1k budget, but a macro lens can be fun

Maybe you could also consider the 70-300mm IS USM

[DAdeGroot]

You're unlikely to get much in the 400mm end at that price (well not in a Canon lens anyway). A quick check online shows even the Sigma and Tamron super-teles come in at over $1300. The quite excellent 400/5.6L prime is out of your price bracket too.

So really your choice boils down to the 100 macro (non-L version) at around $650, OR a telephoto in the range of 70-200/4L to 70-300 (non-L).
At least with the 70-200, you could pick up a 1.4x teleconvertor and get 98-280mm at f/5.6

[Brettles]

yeh i kinda firgured that but thought id ask anyway...

what would be the difference between the 70-300mm IS USM and the Canon EF 75-300mm F4-5.6 III i already have?

[infl3xion]

Mainly the fact you'd have image stabilisation, a much faster focus motor, and also improved image quality-according to lab tests anyways..

[Brettles]

fair call, just as long as im not buying the same lens to just get the same results

[Brettles]

what other brands would do the job to suit a 400d other then canon?

[blissful]

what other brands would do the job to suit a 400d other then canon?

The newly released Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD is one I recommend for everything except very low light. It's sharp, focusses well and has a very good image stabilisation. I got mine delivered from B&H for just over $500.

Here's a couple of AP links with some shots taken with it:
http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...utiful-and-sad
http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...-Egret-I-think

[Brettles]

thats very impressive Mike!
i might just have to have a look at them, where is B&H?

[Brettles]

also may as well ask this whilst im here

Canon 100mm f2.8 USM vs. TOKINA 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 PRO D 2.8 vs. Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 90 f2.8

obviously the canon would be best, but how would the other two compare?

[cookie99]

I would be leaning toward a 100 f/2.8 Macro (Non L IS series) which still ranks a 9.6 at Fredmiranda's site

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showcat.php?cat=2

It is crazy sharp and excellent value for money.

I do mostly Bird photography and would rather have no lens at all than a cheap telephoto, it took me years and tears to save for my equipment and I don't regret it.

[blissful]

i might just have to have a look at them, where is B&H?

B&H is one of AP's advertising sponsors and is located in the USA. I bought from them partly because it was difficult to find the Canon mount version in Australia at the time. From what I've seen, it is still cheaper to buy and ship this lens from the US than to get here.

I was particularly impressed with the delivery time - Friday ordering, Tuesday morning delivery.

[dulvariprestige]

For a tele lens, I'd look at the sigma 70-200 2.8, excellent lens for the money, plus you would have enough left over to buy an extension tube or a canon 500d close up filter.

[Roosta]

Just bear inmind, are your getting the 7D with or without lenses?, If you are just getting the body, what are your main photographic intrests? As above, Cookie99, birding you want some good glass, that brings into the $, Macro is great and the Canon 100mm non L will also work with portrate type work. See some of DAdegroot's pics, better glass = better budget, especially some bird shots.

Ask your self firstly, (What am I most likely to shoot) no need for a 100mm marco lens if you shot touring cars, no need for a nice 400mm prime if your into chasing the kids around the house, get the picture (Pardon the pun)

I would write a list down of what you like to shoot, then you can try several different web sites for good reliable advice. Try fredmiranda.com as above, But i tend to go towards http://www.the-digital-picture.com/ Look under reviews, all the info you want, and the old standard of dpreview.com

Have fun.

Also take into account what lenses you have already. I.E focal range and decide if you want/need faster glass there for starters. 70-300 mm F4.5-5.6 against 70-200 F4L or F2.8 L, massive difference in IQ.

[fabian628]

yeh i kinda firgured that but thought id ask anyway...

what would be the difference between the 70-300mm IS USM and the Canon EF 75-300mm F4-5.6 III i already have?

The 75-300 III is an OK tele lens, if you dont put it under stressful conditions.
I tried one on a 1Dmk3 and could not get one in focus shot of some seagulls, but using a 1000D and a USM lens i could take some nice shots of birds flying.

A USM lens would be a good upgrade, an ideal lens is the 100-400 but its also a bit more expensive, but the quality is worth it, if you can afford.

The 100mm macro second hand is something like 500-600 on ebay, the 60mm macro is cheaper i think about $450 second hand.
A nice telephoto option could be a 200mm f/2.8 + 2x teleconverter. That would give a 400mm f/5.6 prime, with the option of a 200mm f/2.8. I think a 200mm + 2x converter second hand is about $900 i think.

[drk75]

Brettles,
I got my canon 100mm macro IS L from B & H for just under 1k deleivered very nice lens, if you have the budget.

[cookie99]

I forgot the Sigma, have a look at this.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/s...&cat=37&page=3

[Brettles]

Well, christmas and my birthday have both been and past so i should share what i ended up with.

I ended up buying the
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro
&
Sigma APO 120-400mm f/4.5/F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM

I am really happy with both lenses and will show some photos from them soon.

next up is a grip then a canon 10-20mm and then looking at a 7d