Telephoto Lens Recommendation

**mep916** · 11-05-2008, 06:01 PM

My wife owns a Canon Rebel Xti 400D digital camera. For Christmas, I'd like to get her a nice telephoto lens. I don't want to spend more than $500, although I'd be willing if the price was truly worth it. I guess I'm looking for the best lens for a good value. She's basically an amateur photographer, so I don't think she'll need anything highly advanced.

Thanks.

**jimmymac** · 11-05-2008, 06:30 PM

canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM

Had this lens for my 400D for nearly a year now and its been fantastiv, hopefully you can find it for the right price

**mep916** · 11-05-2008, 06:32 PM

Thanks Jimmy.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-300mm.../dp/B0007Y794O

^ That one? Does that seem like a fair price?

**jimmymac** · 11-05-2008, 06:35 PM

aye decent price that I think (cant say for sure as teh exchange rate is all over the place). I think someone else here has the same lens so they should confirm how good it is. One of the key things for me is the image stabiliser (IS), when your using the lens towards the extent of its zoom without a tripod its very difficult to keep your hand steady enough to get a sharp picture. The image stabiliser compensates for it and keeps it rock steady

**mep916** · 11-05-2008, 06:37 PM

Okay, I'll shop around on that one and see what others have to say. I don't know anything about this technology...

And would you recommend this as well?

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-65B-70-3...d_bxgy_p_img_b

Or something like that...maybe something better?

**mep916** · 11-07-2008, 05:03 PM

Bump for more input.

**jimmymac** · 11-08-2008, 01:09 PM

would have thought there would be a bit more help on this one, theres enough camera buffs on here, come on folks!

As for the Lens hood, cant say I have bothered with one myself as of yet, not enough sun and such to worry about in this country

**mep916** · 11-08-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmymac

would have thought there would be a bit more help on this one, theres enough camera buffs on here, come on folks!

I've sent a few threatening PMs to a couple members.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmymac

As for the Lens hood, cant say I have bothered with one myself as of yet, not enough sun and such to worry about in this country

Right, so the lens hood protects the lens from sunlight? If so, then I may get her one since it can get very bright here in California, especially during the summer time.

tidyboy21 · 11-08-2008, 08:59 PM

I know this may be way over your budget, but may be worth looking around for a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8. It's a great lens, f2.8 all the way through the zoom so great for low light conditions. Image quality is far better than any 70-300mm.

I think that vroom skies has one, may be worth asking him what he thinks of it.

**vroom_skies** · 11-09-2008, 01:28 AM

Going along with tidyboy, glass is not where you want to skimp.
Is your wife serious about photography or does she just like to shoot for fun and what not? If she is quite serious I would really encourage you to look at the Sigma 70-200 2.8, however it is 800, but that's its only downside imo. Tidyboy is right, I do own the lens and its been awesome so far.

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?

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

11-05-2008, 06:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
jimmymac Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chester, UK Posts: 3,986	canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Had this lens for my 400D for nearly a year now and its been fantastiv, hopefully you can find it for the right price __________________ I tried to put my signature in here but my pen ruined the monitor. https://www.photoshop.com/user/jimmymac

11-05-2008, 06:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
jimmymac Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chester, UK Posts: 3,986	aye decent price that I think (cant say for sure as teh exchange rate is all over the place). I think someone else here has the same lens so they should confirm how good it is. One of the key things for me is the image stabiliser (IS), when your using the lens towards the extent of its zoom without a tripod its very difficult to keep your hand steady enough to get a sharp picture. The image stabiliser compensates for it and keeps it rock steady __________________ I tried to put my signature in here but my pen ruined the monitor. https://www.photoshop.com/user/jimmymac

11-08-2008, 01:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
jimmymac Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chester, UK Posts: 3,986	would have thought there would be a bit more help on this one, theres enough camera buffs on here, come on folks! As for the Lens hood, cant say I have bothered with one myself as of yet, not enough sun and such to worry about in this country __________________ I tried to put my signature in here but my pen ruined the monitor. https://www.photoshop.com/user/jimmymac

11-08-2008, 08:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
tidyboy21 Gold Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 312	I know this may be way over your budget, but may be worth looking around for a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8. It's a great lens, f2.8 all the way through the zoom so great for low light conditions. Image quality is far better than any 70-300mm. I think that vroom skies has one, may be worth asking him what he thinks of it. __________________ ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA X48 (0407) C2D E8500 @ 4.12GHz T.R.U.E. Black/ 2x Blackfire4 Kameleon's 8GB OCZ BLADE SERIES 2 x HD3870's DDR4 Crossfire (875/1250) / TT Duorbs Thermaltake Toughpower W0132 1000w 4 x WD 250GB HDs 2 x LG Flatron 24" Monitors 3D Mark06 20338 (Vista) www.cornwall-landscape-photography.co.uk

11-09-2008, 01:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
vroom_skies Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CT Posts: 2,793	Going along with tidyboy, glass is not where you want to skimp. Is your wife serious about photography or does she just like to shoot for fun and what not? If she is quite serious I would really encourage you to look at the Sigma 70-200 2.8, however it is 800, but that's its only downside imo. Tidyboy is right, I do own the lens and its been awesome so far. 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? 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 __________________ 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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