Good Zoom Lens for $300-$400???

go4saket · Jul 4, 2009

Hello friends!

I am absolutely new in the field of Photography. I am not taking this as a profession but as a hobby and am more interested in Portrait photgraphy.

I own a Canon 1000D with a 18-55 MM kit lens. Now I am planning to buy a zoom lens along with some lighting equipments.

As for the lens, I want something that can cover nearly 300 MM with the lower side going as much as possible, so that I dont have to carry the kit lens. Unfortunately I am pretty tight with my budget. So please recommend me a good lens that will suit both my needs and my pocket. I dont mind buying a Tamron or Sigma if they are good. My budget for a lens is around Rs.15000-20000 i.e. $300-$400. Image Stabilization is a must as my 18-55mm doesnt have a IS and I am really crying for it.

Thank you.

JustAnEngineer · Jul 4, 2009

The Tamron 18-270 VC, the Sigma 18-250 OS and the Canon 18-200 IS super-zooms are in the $500-$600 range. The Canon 55-250 IS runs around $250.

Samriel · Jul 4, 2009

If you're into portraits, you might also want to get the Canon 50mm F1.8, aka nifty-fifty together with the super-zoom lens. Good luck!

go4saket · Jul 4, 2009

Cme on guys, my budget is max $400. Cant exceed that...

AtlPikMan · Jul 4, 2009

I dont think you will be able to get a lens that covers the Focal Range you want (wide to 300mm) for the price you want to pay($400).

Dao · Jul 4, 2009

go4saket said:
Cme on guys, my budget is max $400. Cant exceed that...

300mm + IS + new = over $400

For Portraiture, you may not need to have a telephoto lens that reach 300mm. 50mm F/1.8 (best bang for the bucks), 50mm F/1.4, 85mm F/1.8 are good for portraiture.

If you have enough light, you really do not need IS at all. Especially you are going to get some lightning equipments.