Lens advice - Medium Telephoto zoom

[Paradox]

To get this out the way - Yes, I'd adore one of the canon 70-200mm lenses, but they're not a suitable price for the amount of use the lens will get. The extra money can be better spent being put toward a third lens (Macro), I feel.

So, I find myself with a dilemma...Which lens to get? If anyone has any suggestions other than the ones I've narrowed it down to, feel free to suggest them! I'm looking for a range of about 50/70mm at the low end to maybe 200/300 at the top end of the zoom. I'd love a wide aperture but again, I don't think it's worth it for the amount of use I'd give the lens. Waste not, as it were...So f/4-5.6ish is preferable.

Tamron 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Di II LD - Budget. Very budget. But seems to get good reviews...I'm not keen though due to the lack of OS which would probably make it pretty unusable without a tripod at the long end.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS - It has IS, and is the mid range option. Made by canon obviously which I do see as a plus...Covers a good range, but not sure about how it will hold up at the long end of the zoom.

Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM - Stabilised 4 stops and with a hypersonic motor, but price is getting higher than I'd like really, though I'd pay for quality - But I'm having trouble finding reviews. Or it for sale. And that's suspicious in a way. I know it's quite new but it has been a while...

Anyone got/used any of them? Have any other suggestions? I do my homework very thoroughly before I buy any equipment to make sure it's exactly what I want...but sometimes I end up overanalysing, and need to step back. Plus, outside/user opinions are always very helpful.

[michaelb]

In the mid-zoom range Canon makes very good lenses. The "new" Canon 55-250 IS gets decent reviews; I would go with either this or the older 70-300 IS, which many say is a "hidden L" lens in terms of its optical quality.

This is a testament to just how good the 70-300 IS is...(compared with the 70-200 f/4 L)....
http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/73v72f4is

[faisal]

Ditto to Michael....the Canon 55-250 or the 70-300 IS....don't bother with the others IMO.

[Paradox]

Thanks both of you - I think on reading more reviews and finding some sample photos on flickr I'll go with the Canon 55-250mm, paired with the Sigma 105mm Macro...That way I have effective focal lengths of 29-400 covered and the macro lens I've been wanting after for a year now. But...

My bag isn't big enough! :rolleyes: There's no way it's going to hold all three lenses, let alone the camera and the rest of the stuff I lug around...So that's another load of money gone on a bag. Not that I can complain, I got the current one free. So to save me starting a new thread, anyone got any bag preferences? *Starts trawling through reviews*

[faisal]

Lowepro....slightshot or backpack depending on what you prefer....

[Paradox]

I may be looking at something like the Lowepro Fastpack 350 or Tamrac 5375...The latter seems to have a lot of room to expand into.

[cdifoto]

I'd get that Canon 55-250. It looks pretty good and is nice and compact.

[Paradox]

It does look pretty good from the sample images...I'm not so convinced by the all-plastic build, but it's effectively a transition lens to last me a few years while I gather funds for an upgrade, so it doesn't have to outlast me or anything!

[cdifoto]

As long as you don't abuse it you should be fine.

[FLiPMaRC]

I have the 55-250 :) I've been happy with the results.

Shot this last week
http://www.pbase.com/marcjosef/image/114112768/large.jpg


Shot these last Saturday
http://www.pbase.com/marcjosef/image/114389711/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/marcjosef/image/114389712/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/marcjosef/image/114389716/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/marcjosef/image/114389718/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/marcjosef/image/114389710/large.jpg

[Paradox]

Thanks for the samples, it's always really helpful to see real-world images. :) I'm pretty sure I'm going to go for that one now, it seems like the best alternative and it takes pretty sharp images for the price considering the zoom range, imo.

RE a bag - With my Sigma 18-50mm I got a small lens case with it with a belt loop. It seems pretty convenient after trying it, having the lenses only one zipper away on a belt - Are there any downsides to having a couple of lenses stored this way, apart from the obvious issue of needing to make sure the trousers fit well? :eek:

[faisal]

Forgetting it somewhere would be an issue IMO....Never tried it though...

[Paradox]

That is a worry, but otherwise I have to fork out another £80 odd for a nice spacious bag, and for now I think I'd rather see how I do with current bags than go for a new one. You never know until you try I suppose! I'm very careful with all my possessions, especially those that set me back a lot of money. :p

[devin]

I have that 55-250 and it is pretty damn nice. I'd say its actually quite a bit sharper than the 18-55 kit lens.

[Mark_48]

Doesn't help Paradox much, but there's a refurb 55-250 sitting at Adorama.....if you don't mind refurbs. Adorama 1 yr. warranty.

http://www.adorama.com/CA55250AFSR.html?searchinfo=recertified

[Paradox]

It's times like this I wish I lived in America! I may try to find a refurbished lens here but unlikely really, though my 40D was refurbished.