I need a lens, I don't have money

I put "I don't have money" in the title not as a literal statement, but something close. I am going to an airshow at the end of July and want to use that as an excuse to buy a lens. I currently have a Canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 II a Canon 50mm 1.8, and a Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro. I want a lens to use to try on flying planes at the airshow which means a Tele of some sort. I think a zoom would be more all round practical for me, but I could be swayed.


As for money. I'll have $200 for sure and maybe could swing $250-270 but no more than that. I understand that won't get me L glass, (unless one of you have gone nuts and want to sell an L lens for that :) ) and that's OK. I just want to get the best value for my money and would appreciate input in that price range.





Thanks!

I will suggest renting a 100-400.


If you are determined that you will only spend money if you can keep the lens, the 75-300 seems to be the only (Canon) option in your price range. But I would say either use what you have (Sigma 150) or rent the 100-400.

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Originally Posted by TucsonTRD

If you are determined that you will only spend money if you can keep the lens

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yeah, you hit the nail on the head. It takes me too long to save up that money to spend it on a rental.


I'll throw out there that I am willing to buy used and a couple have popped up in the right range:


100-300 4.5-5.6


sigma 70-300 4-5.6 dg macro


canon 70-300 4.5-5.6 IS

Agree with<span>TucsonTRDthat your best option for the air show is to rent the 100-400mm.


<span>Barring that, if you're set on buying a lens, your Canon choices are limited to the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III (whichTucsonTRD mentioned) and the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS, assuming you have a 1.6x body other than the 10D. Of those two, I think the EF-S55-250mm will give you somewhat better image quality, and it also has IS which is a nice feature.


Tamron and Sigma both have lenses similar to the EF 75-300mmf/4-5.6III in terms of cost, and probably in terms of quality as well.


So, assuming you have a body that's compatible with EF-S lenses, I think theEF-S55-250mm is your best option if you are purchasing a lens in that price range.

don't expect to buy a good tele lens for $270. I hate how much these damn things cost [8o|]


yeah try holding up a camera shop [&amp;][:P]

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Originally Posted by Whatsreal

I'll throw out there that I am willing to buy used and a couple have popped up in the right range:


canon 70-300 4.5-5.6 IS

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Dig into that one - there's no such lens. There are a whole bunch of different 75-300mm f/4-5.6 lenses (f/4, not f/4.5, -/+ USM, MkI/II/III, and one with IS.). There are only two 70-300mm Canon lenses - a70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lens (that's the only one of this whole group that starts at f/4.5, and it retails for $1200, so that's probably not it), and a 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM. If it's that last one, that's the best choice of the ones you're considering, if it's in good condition - but make sure it's 70-300mm, not 75-300mm.

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Originally Posted by neuroanatomist

Dig into that one - there's no such lens. There are a whole bunch of different 75-300mm f/4-5.6 lenses (f/4, not f/4.5, -/+ USM, MkI/II/III, and one with IS.). There are only two 70-300mm Canon lenses - a70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lens (that's the only one of this whole group that starts at f/4.5, and it retails for $1200, so that's probably not it), and a 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM. If it's that last one, that's the best choice of the ones you're considering, if it's in good condition - but make sure it's 70-300mm, not 75-300mm.

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yeah, my bad on slapping that .5 in there [:D]

In that case, get the used70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM (assuming it's in good shape). IQ will be slightly better than the EF-S 55-250mm, and build quality will be noticeably better, it's 50mm longer, and has USM. The Canon 70-300mm IS usually sells used in the $375-425 range. If you're able to find one that fits your budget, you're getting a great deal! Else, the EF-S 55-250m would be my recommendation.

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Originally Posted by Whatsreal

It takes me too long to save up that money to spend it on a rental.
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Have you considered using what you currently have for the air show and saving for longer and buying a used 70-200 f/4L (non-IS)?


You can find them for around $500 and you will have a great telephoto zoom for outdoor use.

Don't buy a lens that isn't right for you.


Don't buy a lens that won't hold its resale value.


Chances are good that a lens that isn't right for you isn't right for others either, and won't hold its value.

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Originally Posted by Brendan7

don't expect to buy a good tele lens for $270. I hate how much these damn things cost [img]/emoticons/emotion-39.gif[/img]


yeah try holding up a camera shop [img]/emoticons/emotion-4.gif[/img]
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I think a Sigma 400mm 5.6 APO is a good tele lens. it's hard to get one for $270, but it's really close.

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Originally Posted by JJphoto

I think a Sigma 400mm 5.6 APO is a good tele lens. it's hard to get one for $270, but it's really close.

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Have you used one? And PLEASE, if you know where to buy one of those for $270 tell me! [:P]

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Originally Posted by Brendan7

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Originally Posted by JJphoto

I think a Sigma 400mm 5.6 APO is a good tele lens. it's hard to get one for $270, but it's really close.

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Have you used one? And PLEASE, if you know where to buy one of those for $270 tell me! [img]/emoticons/emotion-4.gif[/img]
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Brebdan, no, I have not used that one. but I saw some pictures taken with this lens on the internet, it was really nice.and if you check out the other forums online, people gave very good reviews for this lens. I tried to bid on ebay for a mint condition one about 6 weeks ago before I bought my Canon 400mm 5.6. I didn't win, and I remember the winning bidder would pay $443.85 for it.


there is one on ebay now selling for $360 shipped, after all the possible savings(bing cash, ebay buck, credit card cash back), it's going to be about $320.40(total 11% off) that's why I said it's really close. here is the link


http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-Sigma-400mm-f5-6-APO-Lens-EF-autofocus-mount-/120577374930?cmd=ViewItem&amp;pt=Camera_Lenses&amp ;hash=item1c12f8bad2


update


Bing cash will be end on 07/30/10, and I'm not convincing anybody buy anything from ebay or use any cash back program, you are at your own risk.

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Originally Posted by Whatsreal

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Originally Posted by TucsonTRD

If you are determined that you will only spend money if you can keep the lens

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yeah, you hit the nail on the head. It takes me too long to save up that money to spend it on a rental.

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I get what you mean, but look at it this way: I rented a 100-400 for an airshow last week, it costs me 20 euro(like 25 dollar?) for a day and I can promise you that it will give you more pleasure and much better result then buying a "lower quality" lens. Of course you will need someone to pay a reasonable deposit/guarantee bail for you. (I don't know the proper English word for that...) I had to pay 300 Euros so you know.


I would put that money towards a faster general lens, but that's just me...


Jan

Hey Guys, thought I would post one more time on this thread. I ended up finding a mint condition 70-210 3.5/4.5 USM lens on Ebay that I picked up for $250. It is a great big brother to my 28-105 3.5-4.5 II. I haven't played with it much as I just got it, but the USM is dead silent and snappy on my XTi. Thanks for your help!

Congratulations man, hope you get much joy out of it.


Have fun! [Y]

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Originally Posted by Whatsreal

As for money. I'll have $200 for sure and maybe could swing $250-270 but no more than that. I understand that won't get me L glass, (unless one of you have gone nuts and want to sell an L lens for that :) ) and that's OK.

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You never know... I got an "L" lens in mint condition for $50. The trick is to find a whole set of equipment for sale on Craigslist for cheap, buy it, and then sell everything except the lens.

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Originally Posted by ShutterbugJohan

You never know... I got an "L" lens in mint condition for $50. The trick is to find a whole set of equipment for sale on Craigslist for cheap, buy it, and then sell everything except the lens.

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Yeah, I look at the local Craigslist listings religiously :)

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Originally Posted by Whatsreal

Yeah, I look at the local Craigslist listings religiously

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Ditto. There are good deals out there. I bought two L primes from CL which I later replaced with zooms (bought new) - for both of the L primes, I made a profit when I re-sold them (after a few months of use) on the same CL board.

If you can find a used 70-210mm f/4 for about $100-$150, they are a excellent lens for the dollar. They are a old and long discontinued lens with push-pull action, and very sharp.


http://mt-spokane-photography.smugmu...14_nVoPB-L.jpg

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Originally Posted by scalesusa

If you can find a used 70-210mm f/4 for about $100-$150, they are a excellent lens for the dollar. They are a old and long discontinued lens with push-pull action, and very sharp.

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Would you mind posting a few 100% crops from this lens?

The shot of the catabove was a 100% crop.





Here is the uncropped image.


http://mt-spokane-photography.smugmu...42_sFuUU-L.jpg