Best "budget" zoom lens - Canon, Sigma, Tokina?

I would like to get a good zoom lens for a good price. I noticed Canon makes the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III for about $180. Has anyone used this lens? How is the glass? Is it the same quality lens as the IS version without the IS and the USM? The IS would be my first choice but budget prohibits it right now.

What about another brand, any ideas on a good zoom for not a lot of money? Like the Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO EX RF HSM Lens for about $760. or the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL Macro Super Lens for about $123 ?

Or the Tokina Tokina AF-730 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Lens for $200 ?

Any ideas?

What will the lens be used on? D30/60/1D. Sounds like you want something in the longer range. The 75-300 with IS, is supposed to be pretty nice. I would stick with Canon glass. The 3rd party glass is often used by members of this forum, but they pruchase the EX or pro series glass from Sigma, tamron, etc. This is placed pretty confidently between Canon consumer and Canon Pro glass. The lower end of the 3rd party lenses will most likely be below canon consumer standards.

That said, try to get into the best possible lenses that you can. Especially if you are using the Dxx. Your photos are completely dependent on the quality of the optics placed in front of the film plane/CMOS/CCD sensor. Buying a 2000.00+ body and putting a soda bottle on it will make you unhappy.

What other lenses do you have or plan to buy? A good option is buying used Canon EOS lenses. You will find great, heavy metal bodied lenses for good prices.

THere are so many people who end up spending an increased amount of money replacing lenses every few months. I am not saying go out and buy "L" glass right away, and as a college student I too am on a budget with other hobbies, just do not cut the corners to tightly with cheap glass.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Do a search on:
Canon 24-85mm, great lens, I love mine
Canon 28-105mm
Canon 50mm 1.6 90.00!!!
Canon 135mm

--
Jeffrey Lazo
-Check out my D60 Galleries-
http://homepage.mac.com/lazoj
[email protected]

and I really like that lens. I also have an older 28-70 that is actually real nice. I tried out the Canon 75-300 IS and loved it! Great lens. I was mainly wondering if the 75-300 non IS is as sharp if you used a tripod. I tried a Tamron and was not happy with it so I think I will stick with Canon, although that Sigma 50-500 looks tempting. Most of my shots are people, kids, family and nature shots, animals etc.

Douglas Wilson said:

I would like to get a good zoom lens for a good price. I noticed
Canon makes the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III for about $180. Has
anyone used this lens? How is the glass? Is it the same quality
lens as the IS version without the IS and the USM? The IS would be
my first choice but budget prohibits it right now.

What about another brand, any ideas on a good zoom for not a lot of
money? Like the Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO EX RF HSM Lens for about
$760. or the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL Macro Super Lens for about
$123 ?

Or the Tokina Tokina AF-730 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Lens for $200 ?

Any ideas?

Click to expand...

depending on your definition of budget, I believe the consensus on this board is that the Canon 70-200 f4L,at about 650 dollars,is the best buy...An L lens at non-L price point; I bought mine when canon offered a 100 dollar rebate so it was only 550..my understanding is they do the rebates on and off,dont know if it is still current....aloha...peter

Doug I picked up a 100-300 USM lens and it does ok. You should be able to get one on ebay for around $200. Make sure you get one with the USM motor.

Jason

Douglas Wilson said:

and I really like that lens. I also have an older 28-70 that is
actually real nice. I tried out the Canon 75-300 IS and loved it!
Great lens. I was mainly wondering if the 75-300 non IS is as
sharp if you used a tripod. I tried a Tamron and was not happy
with it so I think I will stick with Canon, although that Sigma
50-500 looks tempting. Most of my shots are people, kids, family
and nature shots, animals etc.

Click to expand...

--
Jason Stoller [email protected]

We are just Beta Testers who pay the Camera Companies to test their new products!

Member said:

I would like to get a good zoom lens for a good price. I noticed
Canon makes the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III for about $180. Has
anyone used this lens? How is the glass? Is it the same quality
lens as the IS version without the IS and the USM? The IS would be
my first choice but budget prohibits it right now.

Click to expand...

Canon also makes the 100-300/4.5-5.6 lens. It has a real USM, internal focusing, better build, and is supposed to be better optically than the 75-300. I think they can be had pretty cheaply (under $300, if I remember correctly). I had one of these, paired with a 28-105, back in the day, and was pretty satisfied with it. My only complaint was that the zoom would creep if aimed straight up or down. 75-300 also has this problem, as does the 28-135IS, I've heard.

I'd stay away from Sigma's cheap, consumer stuff... most people only consider their more expensive (but cheaper than Canon) "pro" line (mostly with the EX designation).

Good luck!
--Keith

I have a 75-300 USM III and I think it is ok. I've only used it on my Rebel EOS. That said, it gets mixed reviews here with most being on the negative side. I can generally tell when a picture is posted that was taken with this lens as it always seems just a little dark or "muddy". (unless post processing is done). Understand, I think this lens is usable just not great. For the money however, it is pretty good. Mine suffers from no machanical problems as was experienced by a previous user.

I bought this lens when I was learning, however, If doing it again I would probably go with a better version based on user comments.

Hope this helps.

Erik

Keith Lommel said:

Keith Lommel said:

I would like to get a good zoom lens for a good price. I noticed
Canon makes the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III for about $180. Has
anyone used this lens? How is the glass? Is it the same quality
lens as the IS version without the IS and the USM? The IS would be
my first choice but budget prohibits it right now.

Click to expand...

Canon also makes the 100-300/4.5-5.6 lens. It has a real USM,
internal focusing, better build, and is supposed to be better
optically than the 75-300. I think they can be had pretty cheaply
(under $300, if I remember correctly). I had one of these, paired
with a 28-105, back in the day, and was pretty satisfied with it.
My only complaint was that the zoom would creep if aimed straight
up or down. 75-300 also has this problem, as does the 28-135IS,
I've heard.

I'd stay away from Sigma's cheap, consumer stuff... most people
only consider their more expensive (but cheaper than Canon) "pro"
line (mostly with the EX designation).

Good luck!
--Keith

Click to expand...