Lens help!

[Ash1751]

Hello!
After my first year taking photos with a DSLR (EOS 100D) I'm looking at getting a new lens, primarily for motorsport shots but may get used here and there for other stuff!
So after looking around I see there are lots of lenses however I have no idea which would be suited to what! I'm looking for about 300mm as my current lens that I use (Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS) had a good reach, but would like a little more.
My budget's a little small looking at some lenses, so preferably It would be a little less than £500!

Thanks

Ash

 

[andyred]

Hi Ash

You can look at the Canon 70-300IS lens, will give you more reach, I've one and have used it successfully for Motorsport.

You're other option is the 70-200 F4 L lens and a 1.4 TC, you might be able to pick both up 2nd hand around your budget.

 

[amtaylor]

If u can find an older 300 f4 l non is you can get them for around £400 and you could even get a 1.4 converter for that. Alternatively the sigma 100-300 f4 also discontinued is also pretty decent. I have one and am very happy with it. They appear around the £400 mark and you can also use a 1.4 with it.

 

[Ash1751]

Thanks guys, what do Tele converters actually do? I'm guessing they just increase length?

 

[pooley]

I'm not sure you'd really notice the leap to 300mm from what you've already got. Both all the lenses mentioned so far should be easily up for the job sharpness wise, but if you think you need better reach you'll need to consider one of the sigma zooms (120-400, 150-500, 50-500) as you're looking at £700 plus for canons own lenses even second hand (they are good though!)

 

[amtaylor]

Thanks guys, what do Tele converters actually do? I'm guessing they just increase length?

The 1.4 increases the length so a 300 would be 420 but you lose a stop of light so instead of being f4 it would be f5.6. But 5.6 is the smallest maximum aperture that most cameras will focus at so if you put a converter on the 70-300 it probably wouldn't auto focus or it would be hit and miss at best.

 

[Ash1751]

I'm not sure you'd really notice the leap to 300mm from what you've already got.

Agreed, It wasn't something I was too bothered about, just that I needed a better lens in terms of sharpness!

@amtaylor Ah ok, thanks again!

 

[odd jim]

Just to throw a spanner in the works, I dont think you'll find much of a difference between real work 250mm and 300mm.

Might be worth giving a 300mm a go (any would do) to see if the 50mm give or take (depending on focus) makes the expenditure worthwhile.

EDIT - Beaten to it!