chemtom24 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Hi I appreciate this isnt an astronomy question as such, but i thought you might be able to help me out.I have a canon 400d with kit lens and a 50mm 1.8, however I was out yesterday and I wanted to zoom in on a rather friendly robin, but being stuck with the 18-55 kit lens I couldnt.So..Is there a zoom lens that is reccomended amongst photographers? I am not looking to spend *too* much money, and certainly wouldnt mind buyng a generic lens if they are alot cheaper without much loss of quality?Can anyone point me towards a good website or second hand place to look at? Thanks very muchTom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychobilly Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 MBP...Used Secondhand Canon lensesRough Idea of how much you want to spend...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemtom24 Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 thanks billy.could you tell me if there is any difference between these two, aside from the 90/75mm www.mpbphotographic.co.uk - Used Secondhand Canon EF 90-300mm f/4-5.6www.mpbphotographic.co.uk - Used Secondhand Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IIIwhat one would you go for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MjrTom Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 thanks billy.could you tell me if there is any difference between these two, aside from the 90/75mm www.mpbphotographic.co.uk - Used Secondhand Canon EF 90-300mm f/4-5.6www.mpbphotographic.co.uk - Used Secondhand Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IIIwhat one would you go for?Age is the main thing, the latter is older than the first one.The optics of the latter are a smudge better but pretty average by today's standards.If you can find one of these:Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS Lens (2044B005BA) - Warehouse ExpressCanon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS Lens second-hand for similar money it is far better in all aspects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychobilly Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I tend to have a look here for Canon lens reviews...Canon Lens ReviewsI used to have a 75-300 and the results were ok on the 1000D but too soft for me on the higher MP 500D havent tried the 90-300...I have also used a sigma 28-300 as a walkabout lens...I'm more used to Nikkors as at heart I am still a Nikon man (and still grab it for most of my photography) but use canons for astro but have moved over to a couple of L series zooms...As MjrTOM posted The 55-250 IS is a tidy lensRemember if you want to use a clip in filter you will need EF compatible lenses not EF-s... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemtom24 Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 buy this and sell my kit lens 18-55? www.mpbphotographic.co.uk - Used Secondhand Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemtom24 Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 remember that im not a professional! As long as I can zoom in on a bird in a tree, or a squirrel, or whatever, and get reasonable sharp images, il b happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliosky Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I have this on my 500d quite good for getting close to wildlife, pretty cheap alsoCanon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom AF Lens for Selected Digital SLR:Amazon:Electronics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemtom24 Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 cheaper on ebay, and they are the same as mjrtom reccomended. I think i shall make a purchase later on. BRAND NEW CANON EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS LENS 55-250 mm | eBay UK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychobilly Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Unless you had to sell the 18-55 to fund the other lens I would hang onto it...Bought Camera bodies and L series lenses from that seller ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemtom24 Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 thanks everyone for your help, very much appreciated i will buy the ebay linked one later on - gotta hop in shower quick before going to a gig tonight, then maths exam tomoro thanks againtom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MjrTom Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Hope you enjoy it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemtom24 Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 ef s 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS arrived today. just about to go to the lake and try this baby out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychobilly Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Have Fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatwoul Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Can't comment on Canon lenses (Nikon user), but a general rule is that a zoom lens shouldn't have a zoom ratio of more than 2 or 3; that is to say that the longest focal length shouldn't be more than 2 or 3 times that of the widest focal length of the same lens. More than that, and zoom lenses start to suffer far more from the compromises necessary to make them jacks of all trades; variable maximum aperture, various distortions, etc.Having said that, the Nikon 18-200 VR was always surprisingly good (really neat little travel lens), and a lot is being put into these kinds of optics, now that photography is becoming increasingly popular and accessible. Look forward to seeing the results from your new glass, chemtom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viv Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 When you've decided which - have a look on camerabox, they are generally the best prices & quick serviceCamerabox | Camerabox | The Professionals Choice For Casio Canon Fuji Kodak Konica Minolta Lexar Nikon Olympus Panasonic Samsung Sigma Sony Digital Cameras Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemtom24 Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 in case anybody's interested, some pics along with a rather long post, ahem.*edit* - the link would be handy *facepalm* - http://stargazerslounge.com/imaging-tips-tricks-techniques/144142-400d-normal-photo-focussing.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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