Looking for a 70-300mm lens

[carvinrocks2]

I'm looking for a good 70-300mm lens for around $220. I know I can't get anything great for that price, but good will have to do.

This is the lens I've been looking at:
508101 Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Tele Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Cameras

With this one at close second:
6472A004AA Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Autofocus Telephoto Zoom Lens - (Refurbished)
Note: I probably won't go the refurbished route, but I found that link first...

 

[oldmacman]

I have purchased over half of my lenses used. It's the only way I can afford a good lens. Could you let us know why you want a 70-300? With that much range, those types of lenses tend to have one good spot with acceptable in other ranges.

 

[carvinrocks2]

I have purchased over half of my lenses used. It's the only way I can afford a good lens. Could you let us know why you want a 70-300? With that much range, those types of lenses tend to have one good spot with acceptable in other ranges.

I want to be able to shoot wildlife from a distance, including birds and such. Once in awhile I would want to use it for sports photography.

I know a 300mm lens is what I want because I already have a 210mm lens for my Nikon N2000 and it's reach isn't close enough...

 

[rallysman]

I've had good luck with the Tamron 70-300.

 

[carvinrocks2]

I've had good luck with the Tamron 70-300.

Like this one?
AF017C700 Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD 1:2 Auto Focus Macro Zoom Lens with Hood for Canon EOS, 6 Year USA Warranty

I haven't seen it until I put in the exact words but it apparently has high praises....

Canon EOS means it'll fit EF or EF-S sized camera, right?

 

[rallysman]

I'm not sure about compatibility with canon since I shoot nikon, but that's the same lens I like with a different mount. The quality should be the same. I can give you some examples from it if you'd like.

 

[carvinrocks2]

I'm not sure about compatibility with canon since I shoot nikon, but that's the same lens I like with a different mount. The quality should be the same. I can give you some examples from it if you'd like.

That would be great!

 

[rallysman]

Here's a few:

Edit: for some reason one of them isn't showing up, but you get the idea

 

[Lipoly]

Rally, it looks like you kinda missed the focus for the subject matter in the first one (raise f/stop some), so may not be a great representation what the lens can do. I personally love my (Nikon) 70-300 and would recommend the format to anyone. I do love using mine as a ghetto macro lens.

 

[JustAnEngineer]

Your current 210mm lens is on a 35mm film SLR. On your Digital Rebel / 300D, the smaller APS-C sensor crops the middle of the image to provide a 1.6x field of view crop factor. A 300mm lens mounted on it will have the same field of view as a 480mm lens would have on your film SLR.

Have you considered the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS? The 250mm lens would have the same field of view that a 400mm lens would have if mounted on your film SLR.

 

[carvinrocks2]

Your current 210mm lens is on a 35mm film SLR. On your Digital Rebel / 300D, the smaller APS-C sensor crops the middle of the image to provide a 1.6x field of view crop factor. A 300mm lens mounted on it will have the same field of view as a 480mm lens would have on your film SLR.

Have you considered the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS? The 250mm lens would have the same field of view that a 400mm lens would have if mounted on your film SLR.

Never thought of that but a 300mm lens would be a little better when getting bird shots and such, but if I can get a 55-250mm refurbished lens for around the same price with alot better picture quality than I might do that.

 

[rallysman]

Rally, it looks like you kinda missed the focus for the subject matter in the first one (raise f/stop some), so may not be a great representation what the lens can do. I personally love my (Nikon) 70-300 and would recommend the format to anyone. I do love using mine as a ghetto macro lens.

Thanks for the feedback, but the baby geese seem to be in focus. Maybe towards the bottom they fell out a bit, good call.

If you're saying I missed the focus on the adult geese, then I have to disagree. The only time I aim for them is when I'm driving.

 

[Lipoly]

Rally, it looks like you kinda missed the focus for the subject matter in the first one (raise f/stop some), so may not be a great representation what the lens can do. I personally love my (Nikon) 70-300 and would recommend the format to anyone. I do love using mine as a ghetto macro lens.

Thanks for the feedback, but the baby geese seem to be in focus.

I honestly don't see how there is any question that you missed the focus on the baby geese as a whole...very soft.

 

[JustAnEngineer]

Have you considered the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS?

If I can get a 55-250mm refurbished lens for around the same price with alot better picture quality than I might do that.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Price Watch and Comparison

 

[rallysman]

Rally, it looks like you kinda missed the focus for the subject matter in the first one (raise f/stop some), so may not be a great representation what the lens can do. I personally love my (Nikon) 70-300 and would recommend the format to anyone. I do love using mine as a ghetto macro lens.

Thanks for the feedback, but the baby geese seem to be in focus.

I honestly don't see how there is any question that you missed the focus on the baby geese as a whole...very soft.

Those fuzzy little bastards just look soft I guess.

I retract my previous statement. I was aiming for the ass end of the right adult goose