Canon Budget Long Lens

Urban Grimshaw

Urban Grimshaw

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Currently I have a Sigma 10-20, Canon 28mm, Nifty Fifty, and well, that's it really. All of my photography has been done through that for the past 5 years at least. I still have the 18-55mm Kit lens from my 350D too, but it rarely gets used.

I want to add something a bit more interesting. A nice long lens would be nice. Something with an incredible DoF even nicer....but unlikely on my budget, as really I'd prefer to pay no more than £200.

I'm likely to buy second hand.

Did think about maybe a 100mm prime. Even a 200. But a zoom of some kind would be nice.

Anything I should be looking out for in particular? Any must haves?
 
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I would suggest the Canon EFS 55-250mm. It is a lightweight, good value lens that is surprisingly good.
 
If you're very lucky you could stumble across a Sigma 100-300 F/4 EX or Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX at £ 200 - but its more than likely to be a Canon 55-250 IS, Canon 70-300 IS or Sigma 70-300 APO.
 
There will be a Canon 70-300 IS in the classifieds very soon ..... :)
 
andrewc said:
If you're very lucky you could stumble across a Sigma 100-300 F/4 EX
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I paid £210 second hand for mine so they certainly are occasionally out there at that price, although usually more like £300-350. Still one of my favourite lenses regardless of price - perfectly usable even wide open at 300mm, sharp as anything from 5.6 onward, works great with a 1.4 teleconverter and is reassuringly heftily built.

Tamron 70-300 VC - Lovely lens if you get a good copy, but make sure you try before you buy, as I had to go through four of them before I found one that didn't either miss focus constantly or make weird squeaky noises.

Canon 70-300 IS is a bit of a no brainer really, can be found for under £200 all day long second hand and really is nice even compared to much more expensive glass.
 
Fuzzdog said:
I paid £210 second hand for mine so they certainly are occasionally out there at that price, although usually more like £300-350. Still one of my favourite lenses regardless of price - perfectly usable even wide open at 300mm, sharp as anything from 5.6 onward, works great with a 1.4 teleconverter and is reassuringly heftily built.

Tamron 70-300 VC - Lovely lens if you get a good copy, but make sure you try before you buy, as I had to go through four of them before I found one that didn't either miss focus constantly or make weird squeaky noises.

Canon 70-300 IS is a bit of a no brainer really, can be found for under £200 all day long second hand and really is nice even compared to much more expensive glass.
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Hi Steve,

Does (or did) your Tamron 70-300 VC zoom smoothly?
Comparing mine with my Canon 24-105, which it butter like, it's not in the same league.
I didn't try other copies, though.

Thanks :)
 
PitaDaVespa said:
Hi Steve,

Does (or did) your Tamron 70-300 VC zoom smoothly?
Comparing mine with my Canon 24-105, which it butter like, it's not in the same league.
I didn't try other copies, though.

Thanks :)
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Tamron number one - smooth zoom, focused occasionally, noisy focus motor.
Tamron number two - smooth zoom, focused about once every full moon, quiet focus motor.
Tamron number three - zoom felt like something was sticking, focus was apparently an optional extra not included, focus motor squeaked like crazy and VC sounded like a cement mixer.
Tamron number four - smooth zoom, great focus, tiny squeak now and then but otherwise great. Excellent images from this one, lovely lens. Sold it soon afterwards as I just didn't trust it after the previous three and always felt like something was imminently about to go wrong. :D

All were brand new - kept returning to get a good one as they have such a good reputation and I was determined to get a good one!
 
huffy said:
I would suggest the Canon EFS 55-250mm. It is a lightweight, good value lens that is surprisingly good.
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This is the obvious choice, but there are several versions of it. The latest 55-250 STM is easily the best, great little lens.

The other stand-out buy at the budget end is the Tamron 70-300 VC. Beats the same-spec Canon, though a new MkII version of that has just been announced, on-sale November.
 
Fuzzdog said:
Tamron number one - smooth zoom, focused occasionally, noisy focus motor.
Tamron number two - smooth zoom, focused about once every full moon, quiet focus motor.
Tamron number three - zoom felt like something was sticking, focus was apparently an optional extra not included, focus motor squeaked like crazy and VC sounded like a cement mixer.
Tamron number four - smooth zoom, great focus, tiny squeak now and then but otherwise great. Excellent images from this one, lovely lens. Sold it soon afterwards as I just didn't trust it after the previous three and always felt like something was imminently about to go wrong. :D

All were brand new - kept returning to get a good one as they have such a good reputation and I was determined to get a good one!
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Thank you for your answer.
I'm very happy with my copy, both optically and regarding AF and VC. But both my Canon 17-40 and 24-105 have silk smooth zoom operation comparing to the Tamron.

This Tamrons "behavior" its not worse than a Canon 70-300 IS USM that I once had, and it's a much better lens overall. ;)
 
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I have the canon 55-250 STM lens, i can recommend it as being very good and within your price bracket.
 
If you want a real budget alternative consider the veteran canon 70-210mm f4 I've had one for years as I only use a telephoto once in a blue moon but it produces lovely results the f3.5-4.5 USM is also a good option if you want a little better af!
 
Another vote for the Tamron 70-300mm VC. Bought mine new, very sharp, never had any issues. Very good value lens.
 
The Sigma 100-300 f4 is a hell of a lens, and an absolute steal at today's prices - if you can find it (might be a little out of your budget but my copy is tack sharp and it will give you that beautiful DoF)
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. It's reassuring that the same ones are cropping up. I will take a look at them.
 
As has been recommended, for the price the Canon 55-250IS lens is a great lens and certainly worth while purchasing and would fit in your budget and work well with your focal range of lenses.

My daughter has one and is very happy with it, not used the Tamron or Sigma equivalent, have had the Canon 70-300IS and was pleased with it, but upgraded to the Canon 70-200F4 L and was very pleased with the new lens - if you can stretch your budget some, you could pick one up 2nd hand...another dilemma :)
 
Well, having read some glowing reviews, I've went for the Canon 55-250 STM. The 70-200 f4 L was very tempting, but some reports suggest the STM is actually sharper on a crop sensor. And at a third of the price, I can live without the build quality, etc.
 
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