What zoom to suggest?

[Chipper]

My friend’s son has a Canon crop sensor camera. Perhaps it is an 1100D. Anyway, he wants a zoom which will give him more reach than his EF-S 18-55mm. He has just finished uni and so his budget is quite small.

He found online a Sigma 70 - 300 but the reviews of its performance at the long end are poor. Do you have any suggestions, please? He is also wondering about a wide angle prime for long exposures. What would you recommend? I was with him and his family at the weekend and he hasn’t found his “thing” yet but was very frustrated by the reach.

 

[Nawty]

The Canon 55-250 has always been the recommended telephoto lens for budget conscious Canon shooters.

As it is a crop camera I would forget about wide angle primes and either just use the 18-55 or get an ultra wide zoom.

 

[Cagey75]

Yeah the 55-250mm STM looks a right good lens for the money, very cheap and gets great reviews all round. Seen some very nice images posted on here [check through the Canon M thread] from that lens

 

[Nostromo]

A used Tamron 70-300mm vc sp, can be picked up from £150-£200. It's a good lens for little money.
The Canon 55-250 stm is a good lens, although it is a bit plasticky.

 

[artyman]

If he want's something in the intermediate range the Canon 15-85 is a cracking lens, I've had one on my 7D Mk1 since it first came out. Superb walk round lens

 

[ctrollen]

The 15-85 is excellent and is my "walkabout" lens but I got it to replace my 18-55. I can heartily recommend the 55-250 IS STM. I reckon it's one of the best value for money lenses. It will also work with a Kenko 1.4x TC albeit only with manual focus & in good light.

 

[Mich56]

The Canon 55-250 has always been the recommended telephoto lens for budget conscious Canon shooters.

As it is a crop camera I would forget about wide angle primes and either just use the 18-55 or get an ultra wide zoom.

agree

 

[hashcake]

I also agree with the Canon 55-250 but make sure it's the STM version as this is regarded as the best.