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Best lens combination for $700?

Started Oct 24, 2015 | Discussions thread
Keith Z Leonard Veteran Member • Posts: 6,134
Re: Best lens combination for $700?

Mark1t wrote:

Keith Z Leonard wrote:

Mark1t wrote:

too many options to decide...

  • 70-200 f4 + 24mm stm
  • 60mm macro + 10-18mm
  • 17-55mm
  • 55-250 + 24mm

Any help is appreciated!

Sigma 17-50 OS

550-250 STM

Not quite 800, but over 700...close though

the 70-200 f4 is $350 used like 1 years old, the 55-250 is like 250. How big is the image quality difference?

Well now, I wasn't considering used lenses. The 70-200 f4 is a great lens. Image quality is better, but the STM version of the 55-250 is no slouch. The faster constant max aperture is attractive to some. The build quality difference is pretty significant. The 55-250 has IS, which is important in some situations and can be a determining factor. I did a write up about it a couple of years ago here.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/52378257

A lot of the differences depend upon your needs and preferences. The 55-250 will win in range, IS, weight, price. The 70-200 will win in image quality (but it's fairly close against the STM 55-250), build, constant aperture.  Here are some 70-200 f4 shots.  I don't know that either is a bad bet.  I suspect the 70-200 would last longer.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22781076@N03/albums/72157648503602999

 Keith Z Leonard's gear list:Keith Z Leonard's gear list
Canon EF 70-200mm F4L USM Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Canon EOS 400D +16 more
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