EOS D400 & Budget lens recommendations?

[sauvagii]

Hi all,

Can anyone recommend a budget telephoto lens (i.e. 70-300mm) for the Canon EOS D400/Digital Rebel XTi?

Just got one at the weekend, looking for something to add to the kit lens, but on a tight budget at the moment - it is christmas after all!

THanks all!

[-m i n g]

Hi there sauvagii,

You mean the 400D I suppose

That's a great question. I've came across the question myself a few times. Just my two pence if you don't mind.

First of all, congratulations on your purchase of the new baby. You'll definitely enjoy it

Second thing now, what will you be shooting with that range? With a budget, you can consider the Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 or maybe th e slightly higher in price, Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO (Did I get this lens right?)

You'll do good shooting outdoors (bright daylight), but for indoor shooting you can't even pump the ISO to get a good picture, you would need a shutter speed of 1/300 when shooting at 300mm focal length. Either use your built-in flash, external flash (If it suits your budget) or a stabilised lens.

If you're a stick-to-Canon guy and would pay for quality you can look into the Canon's hidden L lens, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM.

After all, el-cheapo lenses are a temporary solution. It wont be long until you're dreaming of higher lens. I rather blow my budget on a top notch lens than get a few cheap lenses.

Again, just my two cents. Hope that helps, and guys if I've given the wrong information please correct me as I too am just a beginner

Regards,
- m i n g

[sauvagii]

Thanks for replying.

The majority of my shots are taken outdoors, both in daylight and at night.

Those two are lenses I'm considering, but there's so many variants, and I find sometimes advertisments etc just quote "canon fit" etc, which confuses me.

Are the Tamron "normal" AF lenses compatible (i.e. non-Di/Di ii)? I have always presumed AF simply to stand for auto-focus, but i'm getting the impression its another type of lens mount from different sources?

All these mounts and all are very confusing!

Thanks for your advice though

and Ooops! I noticed the typo! Thanks for pointing that out too! :blush:

[Gary_P]

Hi sauvagii.
I bought the same camera and in the kit I got the Canon 75-300mm telephoto with it.
I only played a bit with it in the mall and shot a few pictures of the moon before I had to pack it up for Christmas, but it seemed to be ok.
Like I said, I got it with the camera, but it sells for around 2 hundred.

I got it with a full rebate, so the lens was free.

[SpecialK]

Hi:

I read some good reviews on the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro, which is what I eventually got. Note there are a few versions of it and the APO is supposedly the only "good" one of the group.

Some pix with that lens (and others, sorry) are in my bucket, linked below.

[Honest Gaza]

I am far from being a photography expert so my answer is based on information given to me (on this forum) when I found myself in the same predicament as you.

As mentioned above, the Sigma 70-300mm APO DG appears to be a good "budget" choice.

However, having said that, take any 70-300mm lens for a test drive in a camera shop, and see how successful you are at holding the lens steady while trying to focus on an object at 300mm focal length. If you can achieve this....then go ahead and buy one.

If on the other hand you have difficulty holding the lens steady, then take a Canon 70-300mm IS (Image Stabilised) lens for that same test drive.....you will be suprised at the difference.....and may have a reason for sneaking those extra $$$ from under Santa's nose.

[Rontech1]

Hi there sauvagii,

If you're a stick-to-Canon guy and would pay for quality you can look into the Canon's hidden L lens, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM.

After all, el-cheapo lenses are a temporary solution. It wont be long until you're dreaming of higher lens. I rather blow my budget on a top notch lens than get a few cheap lenses.


Regards,
- m i n g

Sauvagii,
Hello and welcome!
Good advice given above. It is really a good lens, especially for the money. I can't say it is a "top notch" (as in L quality) lens, but is sure is a good one for the bucks to me. Great reviews here:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/s...&cat=27&page=1
Do a quick search on this forum and you will find the same. The IS works great. It won't stop action, but sure helps those coffee induced shakes at my end.
Here is a pic of a squirell through my living room picture window taken with my 70-300.

Hope this helps some,
Ron

[sauvagii]

Hi guys,

thanks for all the help. A sigma is definitely on the cards. I'd happily pay the extra for an IS canon, but at the moment, its out of reach. Until the credit card is paid off though ;o) hehe

However, i'll keep you posted and see how things go.. lovely squirrell by the way!

[Gary_P]

Thanks for the shot, Rontech1. I'm really looking forward to Christmas now.