Telephoto Lens Recommendation

**mep916** · 11-09-2008, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vroom_skies

Is your wife serious about photography or does she just like to shoot for fun and what not?

She does it more for fun...she's definitely not a professional, but she wants to take the best shots possible, and she feels that her current hardware is her biggest limitation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vroom_skies

Also, you stated you want a telephoto lens, are we talking about a 70-300 (if so, jimmy's link looks like the best) or more along the lines of a mid range telephoto?

Right, I was thinking mid-range, although the Sigma is only $300 more than the Canon Jimmy recommended, so it sounds like it may be worth the additional cost. After all, if she takes care of it, she probably wouldn't need another telephoto lens, so it would be a one-time cost, I'm guessing. Understand that I have absolutely no clue about this type of lens accept that I believe it allows you to take long distance shots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vroom_skies

Either way I would recommend the Sigma 70-200, if she plans on being in the hobby awhile, it always pays to have good glass.

Hope that helps,
Bob

Thanks man. I appreciate it.

scooter · 11-09-2008, 01:46 AM

I just got a Sigma 120-400mm telephoto for my Canon 40D...fabulous lens'. It's a bit more then your preferred budget but at $899.99 Canadian its a great deal.

It's the first Sigma lens I've ever purchased as I'm a purist when it comes to Canon glass but, its slick..very very nice.

**mep916** · 11-09-2008, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

I just got a Sigma 120-400mm telephoto for my Canon 40D

I'll check that out too.

scooter · 11-09-2008, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mep916

I'll check that out too.

Yeah, its nice..especially for us people with 1.6 cropped sensor cameras..

its like 640mm

**mep916** · 11-09-2008, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

Yeah, its nice..especially for us people with 1.6 cropped sensor cameras..

its like 640mm

lol. I don't know what any of that means, but it sounds good.

Is this the Sigma that Bob and tidyboy recommended?

Scooter, is this the lens you recommended?

If I've got the wrong items, it would help to get some US links with the entire model name and number. Thanks a lot guys.

scooter · 11-09-2008, 01:53 AM

that one for the 70-200 is for a nikon but yeh...same deal..f2.8 u just want canon mount.

and yeh...thats the one i recommended.

**vroom_skies** · 11-09-2008, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mep916

She does it more for fun...she's definitely not a professional, but she wants to take the best shots possible, and she feels that her current hardware is her biggest limitation.

Right, I was thinking mid-range, although the Sigma is only $300 more than the Canon Jimmy recommended, so it sounds like it may be worth the additional cost. After all, if she takes care of it, she probably wouldn't need another telephoto lens, so it would be a one-time cost, I'm guessing. Understand that I have absolutely no clue about this type of lens accept that I believe it allows you to take long distance shots.

Thanks man. I appreciate it.

Lets see,
Well if that is the case I would probably lean with Scooter and recommend the Sigma 120-400. It's not as fast and has a slight degrade in IQ, I would assume, but it sounds like a great fit for you wife.
The only thing that worries me is the sheer size and weight of them. The 70-200 is 3 pounds and the 120-400 is almost 4 pounds. That's quite a lot of weight to be carrying around. do you think your wife would be up to it?

Here are the links on B&H:
Sigma 70-200 2.8:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ml#accessories

Sigma 120-400:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...5_6_DG_OS.html

Whats odd is that I thought the 70-200 from Sigma was stabilized, it doesn't look like the one B&H offers is though. When dealing with lenses of this length a IS or OS lens comes in extremely handy.

**mep916** · 11-09-2008, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter

that one for the 70-200 is for a nikon but yeh...same deal..f2.8 u just want canon mount.

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX = $701.95 after Live Cashback

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 = $755.63 after Live Cashback

Not much of a difference in price...

Okay, Bob. I found them a little cheaper elsewhere, but thanks for the links. I think I'm on the right track. If you guys think the 120-400mm would be better, I'll probably go that route, although I need to get an idea of the weight issue with my wife. I'll have to somehow strike up a photography conversation and ease her into giving me some answers.

The links above, those are correct, right. The links I've provided?

**vroom_skies** · 11-09-2008, 02:57 AM

Yup they look like the right ones.

FWIW- You need to be comfy using the equipment. I would really hate for your wife to get a great lens and then not want to use it do to the weight.

**mep916** · 11-09-2008, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vroom_skies

FWIW- You need to be comfy using the equipment. I would really hate for your wife to get a great lens and then not want to use it do to the weight.

Yeah, I agree. That's a good point. I'll try to talk to her about it without giving anything away. One last thing...

Can you recommend a good lens hood? Is there anything else you think she would need? She has a tripod already.

11-09-2008, 02:57 AM	#19 (permalink)
vroom_skies Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CT Posts: 2,778	Yup they look like the right ones. FWIW- You need to be comfy using the equipment. I would really hate for your wife to get a great lens and then not want to use it do to the weight. __________________ www.rsiphoto.com My Flickr Winner of the photography tournament theme: Flowers, Sunsets, Water Scapes, Blurs 2.0, Lightning/Fireworks, Vivid, Flowers in an Abstract Art Form, Waterways, PC Inurds, Most Confusing Image, Fire, Artificial lighting & Rocks.

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11-09-2008, 01:46 AM	#12 (permalink)
scooter banned Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Guelph Ontario, CANADA Age: 28 Posts: 2,333	I just got a Sigma 120-400mm telephoto for my Canon 40D...fabulous lens'. It's a bit more then your preferred budget but at $899.99 Canadian its a great deal. It's the first Sigma lens I've ever purchased as I'm a purist when it comes to Canon glass but, its slick..very very nice.

11-09-2008, 01:53 AM	#16 (permalink)
scooter banned Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Guelph Ontario, CANADA Age: 28 Posts: 2,333	that one for the 70-200 is for a nikon but yeh...same deal..f2.8 u just want canon mount. and yeh...thats the one i recommended.