Ideal Canon telephoto lense

[KennyG]

Originally posted by rdjones
I have been looking at lens again today not that I want a new one or anything. Anyway I came across the Canon EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM, has anyone got one or know if they are any good?

The 35-350L was designed as a photojournalist lens and, despite the 'L' red stripe, it isn't the sharpest of lenses. It is mainly used by newspaper photographers where the odd image flaw isn't a big worry and where one lens covers a large focal length. Most used copies tend to be well hammered.

My suggestion would be either the 70-200 F4 with a 1.4 TC to give some extra reach, or the 100-400L if the budget will stretch that far.

[rdjones]

Thanks for that Kenny, I'd better start saving.

[James North]

Why not plump for Sigma instead of Cannon?

I have a Sigma 50-500mm f4-6.3 lens. They are going for £600 in the shops, or at least that what it said in Jessops (store not the web).

http://www.sigma-photo.com/html/pages/50_500_ex.htm

If you need to see what it can do visit my homepage and make a beeline for the hi res pics (click on the animated gif).

[rdjones]

When I bought my 10D I nearly bought Sigma's 100-300 lens. I bought Pratical Photography today and I see that Sigma have brought out a 80-400 lens more details:- http://www.sigma-photo.com/html/pages/80-400os.htm looks a good lens.

[James North]

Yeah... that bascially looks like a step down from the 50-500mm f4-6.3.

Good lens.

[gi_gav]

not a step down:

it's got an image stabiliser like Canon's 100-400 and it's £220 more than the 50-500.

Apparently it's not bad but when you can get the Canon 100-400 for the same cash and the Sigma lacks a quick USM/HSM motor, I don't see the point for motorsport use.

[TuscanR]

I am also looking to buy a Canon 20D in the new year and have been looking at what lens to buy. I was thinking about the EF 100-400 LU IS.
I have seen this for £1099 at warehouse express.com. It is avaliable for just a 10% deposit with 9 months interest free credit. Is this a good lens, is this a good price and has anyone bought anything from them before?
If anyone could recommed a place to buy the 20D from too that would be great. I'm looking for one with a lens and have seen one on Amazon which is about £200 cheaper than my local photo optics but i'm loathed to use amazon again as I'm still waiting for items i ordered for christmas presents which had 2-3 day delivery times and are still not here 3 weeks later! Sorry for the rant at the end.

Cheers, Paul

[gi_gav]

the 100-400 has a good reputation - not quite as sharp as the prime lenses (400mm f5.6L and 300mm f4L IS) but with the flexibility of the zoom and the benefit of IS (although it's the older generation).

£1099 is a very good price also, and they are a good company from what I've heard.

As for the 20D, warehouse express are doing it for £1119 with lens, which is very close to trade price and about as low as you'll find.

[Elio]

7dayshop.com are doing the 20D with the 18-55 lens at £1,019. Or, pick up a 10D body only for just £699!! - I`m almost tempted to get one myself - and I already have one!!!!

[Andrew W]

Originally Posted by Allen Mead

What recomendations do you guys have for a canon telephoto lense? Will be used with an EOS 20D.

Thanks in advance!

Well, new guy here, and I'm not sure if there is an intro thread so I'll just introduce myself here unless someone can point me in the right direction! I am a full time pro photographer that shoots motorsports and equines (horses). Of late it's been more horses than cars but that's the way it goes when one is a freelance!

Anyways, Hello! to the 10/10th's peeps!

Onto your question...

My first question would be what is your budget?

Depending on your answer then the next is as much as you can afford and how much you plan on using it.

I shoot with a number of lenses, but for m-sports I will go between a 70-200 f2.8 and a 300 f2.8, both with IS. (Which I have found to be very useful shooting ALMS races as the light dims and even into early darkness hand held).

Example:

Johnny Herbert at Laguna Seca

Not everyone has that sort of budget, so you can do away with the IS and pick up a 70-200 for a little less and save yourself some weight. If you're not too worried about low light you can pick up a 70-200 f4. They both handle a 1.4TC rather well and that'll give you a reasonable reach to shoot motorsports (factor in the 1.6 crop factor of the D20).

You could also give the 300 f4 L a look see as well, again, good glass, nice colour rendering and not gonna give you tendonitis either.

If you have other questions please ask!

Andrew

[vwpilot]

Hey Andrew, nice shot, but just wanted to point out thats not Johnny. That is Pierre Kaffer in the seat in that shot.

Johnny's helmet



Pierre's helmet

[Andrew W]

I know...oops!

I meant to put the Herbert-Kaffer car.....

I'll edit! and add different tags...!

Andrew

[Andrew W]

Well that's annoying you can't edit posts....

Oh well.

Here it is corrected, the Herbert/Kaffer car

[Andrew_S]

what do people think of this?

http://www.londoncamera.co.uk/catalo...oducts_id=1527

im getting my first slr, the 20d, with the 18-55 lens kit, but obviously i need a decent size lens, i was wondering what you thought of this one for motorsport photography, or would i be better with a canon 300mm lens for an equivelent or less price?

[JamesC]

Got to say - having only "played" with my new 70-200 2.8L lens Im more than pleased with it... positively blown away...

http://www.mintylamb.co.uk/temp/images/daws_splash.jpg
http://www.mintylamb.co.uk/temp/images/daws_flyby.jpg

(it was a very dull day btw - shot at ISO 800)

Can't wait to use it in anger...

[Andrew_S]

Originally Posted by Andrew_S

what do people think of this?

http://www.londoncamera.co.uk/catalo...oducts_id=1527

im getting my first slr, the 20d, with the 18-55 lens kit, but obviously i need a decent size lens, i was wondering what you thought of this one for motorsport photography, or would i be better with a canon 300mm lens for an equivelent or less price?

Just a quick reminder, could someone offer some advice on this one? im not very experienced with slr lenses and was wondering what you thought of this?

[JamesC]

Well the length is pretty good - and as long as its bright enough it should work ok.

But technically it's kind of difficult to recommend as I have no idea how sharp etc it is.

A couple of reviews here: http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/s...rt=7&thecat=29

[gi_gav]

another good review site:

www.photographyreview.com

and check the forums at www.dpreview.com

[Andrew_S]

Thanks a lot, it looks a bit slow focussing and heavy then. With the budget ive got i'll probably go for a canon 300mm lens then!

[Andrew_S]

how do you edit first of all?

anyway im down too 2 i think, the canon 75-300mm ISM

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ducts_id=98416

or the 100-300

http://www.londoncamera.co.uk/catalo...roducts_id=983

which would people recomend for motorsports? i hear the IS isnt any good for panning so should i rule that one out?

[bernard b]

Originally Posted by Andrew_S

how do you edit first of all?

welcome Andrew

no real advice about lens (I have the Canon 100-400 IS, quite good, even if probably not the quicker and sharper lens, as GI_Gav said above)

about editing posts, you have to do this within 10 mins (see the FAQ)

[gi_gav]

If your budget can stretch that far, I'd go for the 70-200 f4 L - £429 from 7dayshop.com:

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/defa...ort=2a&&page=3

It's shorter obviously, but the build quality and the sharpness are a world away from the 100-300 and particularly the 75-300 IS.

[JamesC]

the Canon L 70-200 lenses are brilliant - the f4 from what I've seen is just as worthy as the 2.8s

Invest in lenses is what I say - then there's never that niggly feeling that you've sold yourself short - and that you could have taken sharper photos... you can only press that shutter once for each shot...

[gi_gav]

spot on James, and lenses hold their value too.

[JamesC]

Especially L lenses...