Looking for Good Cheap Telephoto Lens

[dicecca112]

I was out Saturday trying to get a picture of a family of hawks that live around here, but unfortunately to get a good picture I need to get close, so close that I often scared the hawks away.

So I need a good cheap Telephoto Lens for my Canon Rebel XS

I found these on Amazon. I'm not stuck to these or this place to buy, so if you know a good price or good place let me know

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-70-300mm-4- ... roduct_top
$135.28

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-55-250mm-4- ... F8&s=photo
$255

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-75-300mm-4- ... F8&s=photo
$159.95

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-75-300mm-4- ... F8&s=photo
$200.00

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-70-300mm-4- ... F8&s=photo
$188.33

Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-100-300m ... F8&s=photo
$295.00

[martini161]

I have the plain 75-300mm cannon (no IS or USM) and its ok. youll probably want a monopod to go with it. USM is probably worth the extra 50 bucks, as the focusing on it is extremely slow. the picture quality isnt the best, and at the extreme tight end of it the pics get alot softer. but for the price, its great

[FZ1]

Check for used lenses here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/

I bought a Canon 24-105 f4 L lens and a Canon 70-300 f4/5.6 IS lens...one from each site. The L lens was pricey but I got the other for $425...you'll want IS for that focal length.

[DMB2000uk]

I'd recommend the Canon 70-300 F4-5.6 IS that Joe has. Better IQ than the 75-300 Canon, and has IS to boot.

Dan

[FZ1]

Here's a pic I took with that lens when I was in Mexico. It's very sharp.

Iguana.jpg (77.43 KiB) Viewed 5759 times

[dicecca112]

How far away were you?

[FZ1]

I think 30' or so, I took a lot of shots so I can't really remember. These guys won't let you get too close though. I can post some pics tonight if you'd like of the same scene at both min and max focal length.

Here is a good article. He talks about buying a tripod but the same logic goes for lenses...basically buy the best you can or you'll end up buying multiple things over time and paying more.
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

[InspectahACE]

That looks like the Sargeant Stedenko's lizard from Cheech and Chong nice shot too:)

[dicecca112]

I think 30' or so, I took a lot of shots so I can't really remember. These guys won't let you get too close though. I can post some pics tonight if you'd like of the same scene at both min and max focal length.

Here is a good article. He talks about buying a tripod but the same logic goes for lenses...basically buy the best you can or you'll end up buying multiple things over time and paying more.
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

I don't ever plan going supper high end, this will always be a hobby. Thinking of this telephoto lens, and one that allows you to take panoramic

[martini161]

I think 30' or so, I took a lot of shots so I can't really remember. These guys won't let you get too close though. I can post some pics tonight if you'd like of the same scene at both min and max focal length.

Here is a good article. He talks about buying a tripod but the same logic goes for lenses...basically buy the best you can or you'll end up buying multiple things over time and paying more.
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

I don't ever plan going supper high end, this will always be a hobby. Thinking of this telephoto lens, and one that allows you to take panoramic

get a fisheye

[FZ1]

That'd be the opposite of a telephoto

[dicecca112]

I want both, got a trip coming up were it would come in handy

[FZ1]

That's why I like my 24-105 lens...it's a good all-around lens.I've actually heard good things about these guys: http://www.rentglass.com/

Rent the lenses just for the trip!

[martini161]

thing about fisheyes though is you get weird distortion

[DMB2000uk]

For me, 24mm is no where near wide enough on a crop body.

I use 17mm-24mm too much on my current lens for that one to be practical for me.

/hijack

Dan

[Sparky]

I have to agree with FZ1. The Cannon EG 70-300 IS USM is my current favorite lens because of the IS. Took it to the San Diego Zoo and it was just the right lens for all around shot IMO and the IS really made a difference in the quality of the shots (no blur from my unsteady hands!).