p.1 #1 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
Can you guys make some recommendations for a decent canon zoom lens? I'm looking for something used for around $300. Something up to 200 or 300mm. Is the 55-250 still the best bang for the buck or should I be looking at a 70-300 or 75-300? I'd be using it to take pics of my family at te playground, park, etc, as well as some wildlife.
p.1 #2 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
If you are staying with the crop sensor, yes, the 55-250 is the most cost effective lens for quality and range.
None of these sub-$300 lenses are great for image quality, from a professional standpoint, but for hobbyist and video they are fine and will last you a good while.
I used the 18-55 IS II and the 55-250 IS on the T2i when I had it a few years ago, primarily for video. Both work very well for the need I had at that time.
p.1 #3 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
55-250 is the best long lens for low price. I had the 75-300 (under $300) and did not like it. I have the 70-300 IS and it is okay - but cheaply built for $800 ( I use it for canoing and kayaking where there is risk of overturn). I was not happy with iq until 100-400L, but 55-250 is good to get your feet wet.
My view is to buy the 55-250 and save until you can afford the 100-400L IS, which is the next evolution in long lens.
The evolution should be 55-250 to 100-400 to 500f4II as you get more serious and inherit more money.
p.1 #4 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
If you can find the "L" version of the Canon 100~300mm that would give you the best image quality. It sounds like a coffee grinder and works like a trombone. There was one on the B&S board not too long ago.
p.1 #5 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
taylorman22 wrote:
Can you guys make some recommendations for a decent canon zoom lens? I'm looking for something used for around $300. Something up to 200 or 300mm. Is the 55-250 still the best bang for the buck or should I be looking at a 70-300 or 75-300? I'd be using it to take pics of my family at te playground, park, etc, as well as some wildlife.
tamron 70-300 VC if you can manage $50 over budget. It's on rebate for $349 at many reputable dealers. It seems to be on rebate very often too.
p.1 #6 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
The Sigma 75-300mm APO used to be a steal of a deal. Wasn't the fastest lens around but captured nice, sharp images. Not even sure if it's still around.
p.1 #8 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
coppertop wrote:
The Sigma 75-300mm APO used to be a steal of a deal. Wasn't the fastest lens around but captured nice, sharp images. Not even sure if it's still around.
doesn't touch the tamron 70-300 VC (or 70-300 IS from canon), that used to be the one to get before the canon 70-300 IS and now the tamron 70-300 vc, but it's not match for the new ones (although it did easily be the old canon 75-300 IS and such)
p.1 #9 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
I agree with what the others have said. I'm just going to list some prices to help you out.
The Tamron VC can be fas for $350 new after rebate.
The Canon 70-300mm IS can be had ~$300 locally. Canon was packaging these in a lot of camera body + lens deals in the past year, you should be able to find one in mint or new condition for around $300.
I haven't used the above two on a crop body, but I wasn't that impressed with the Canon 70-300mm IS on full frame. Now I don't mean to start anything, but my copy of the 55-250mm is as sharp as my 70-200mm 2.8L Non-IS at all equivalent apertures. It doesn't open up as wide, nor have USM, but it does have IS, which is nice and can be useful. My version of the L is very very old (96 as I recall), so that may be why. But no joke, I love my 55-250mm.
p.1 #10 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
He he. Dude, get your 70-200 checked out . When I compared my 100-400L to my 55-250 at equivalent focal lengths and apertures, the difference was stark. I guess my 55-250 could have been a stinker, but more likely the 7X cost lens was just better.
p.1 #12 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
Dudewithoutape wrote:
I agree with what the others have said. I'm just going to list some prices to help you out.
The Tamron VC can be fas for $350 new after rebate.
The Canon 70-300mm IS can be had ~$300 locally. Canon was packaging these in a lot of camera body + lens deals in the past year, you should be able to find one in mint or new condition for around $300.
I haven't used the above two on a crop body, but I wasn't that impressed with the Canon 70-300mm IS on full frame. Now I don't mean to start anything, but my copy of the 55-250mm is as sharp as my 70-200mm 2.8L Non-IS at all equivalent apertures. It doesn't open up as wide, nor have USM, but it does have IS, which is nice and can be useful. My version of the L is very very old (96 as I recall), so that may be why. But no joke, I love my 55-250mm. ...Show more →
I have to agree that the 55-250 can be very sharp. I borrowed my Dad's copy (he hasn't used it in well over a year!) to carry on my 7D for my daily commute instead of packing the 70-200 2.8IS, and have been quite impressed with images from it. Not quite as good as the 70-200 but surprisingly good and sharp nonetheless. I could get used to its light weight for sure, and the IS works quite well. All in all, a very nice lens for a very good price.
p.1 #14 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
I would think the canon 70-300 IS would be your best choice. You should easily be able to find one for ~300 used. IMO it is a big step up from the 55-250.
EDIT:
After looking at the Digital Picture results from the Tamron I would defiantly go with that lens.
The 100-300 USM is still a great lens for the price. Make sure you get the USM version (with the gold ring) and not the non-USM. Several on ebay... one buy-it-now for $133, another with no bids for $70 free shipping.
I gave a 100-300 to my youngest son several years ago... much better PQ than I expected.
That said, he now has the 55-250 IS and it's probably a better choice if you can give up a little reach (250mm vs 300mm). Lighter (because of the plastic build quality), just as cheap, but it adds Image Stabilizer, and the wider 55-100mm range that it adds can be just as handy as the 250-300mm range that it's missing.
If you're patient, you can find either of these lenses for $100. They're both 10x better than the 75-300 which sells for about the same price. IMHO, avoid the 75-300 at any cost.
p.1 #16 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
I would think about the Tamron 70-300, too. Sharper at 70mm great at 135 and a bit behind the "L" longer. Not as fast as Canons L neither offering itīs build. But its a great lens giving good - great IQ imo at 1/4th of the price:
p.1 #17 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
taylorman22 wrote:
Can you guys make some recommendations for a decent canon zoom lens? I'm looking for something used for around $300. Something up to 200 or 300mm. Is the 55-250 still the best bang for the buck or should I be looking at a 70-300 or 75-300? I'd be using it to take pics of my family at te playground, park, etc, as well as some wildlife.
for crop models the 55-250IS is the best "bang for the buck" - often on sale for $150
p.1 #18 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
Definitely look at the Tamron 70-300 VC. It's an all around much better lens than the 55-250mm. It has a metal mount, fast AF, superior stabilizer, and better optics.
p.1 #19 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
I have seen the Tamron 70-300 VC for as low as $347 shipped on fleabay from reputable seller. Well worth paying a little more and it's not a crop lens.
p.1 #20 · Best Canon zoom lens (up to 300mm) for around $300?
Yet another vote for the Tamron 70-300 VC. It's a great lens for the price and it will work on full frame if you go that route some day. It does well even on my 5D III.
