Need a new lens, Telephoto maybe?

Corbin Lane · May 25, 2008

Well, I've been using a Sigma 70-300mm with my XTi. It works wonders but I want something with more zoom. So what are your recommendations for lenses. I don't want to spend 1000's of dollars though. I think my max price is 500.00.

I will be using this for sports photography.

tirediron · May 25, 2008

I would say that you're probably out of luck. If you're going to be shooting sports, that means you need fast glass; fast=expensive. Even on the used market a decent f4 400mm is going to run you north of $1000, and an f2.8 300 or larger, well, you may as well put your first-born on the auction block.

JimmyO · May 25, 2008

Well its not really going to be practical to get something longer than you have if you want to stay under 500 and still have decent IQ

I think you should look at something like the sigma 70-200mm f/2.8. It has a little less range but it is alot faster which helps alot for sports

Corbin Lane · May 25, 2008

tirediron said:
I would say that you're probably out of luck. If you're going to be shooting sports, that means you need fast glass; fast=expensive. Even on the used market a decent f4 400mm is going to run you north of $1000, and an f2.8 300 or larger, well, you may as well put your first-born on the auction block.

Yeah, That or a kidney on the black market.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Overread · May 25, 2008

hmm if you can afford something like a canon 70-200mm L USM f2.8 lens then you can use that with a 1.4 and 2* teleconverter to get more length out of it if you need to.
There is also and IS version of this lens (image stabalization) but that is a little more in cost

ps I don't know US prices so can't help much there - sorry

JimmyO · May 25, 2008

Also look at the 70-200mm f/4 L with or without IS

Joves · May 25, 2008

Well with the Sigma 70-200 you can still use a teleconverter, I believe.

JimmyO · May 25, 2008

^^^^^correct

tirediron · May 25, 2008

Joves said:
Well with the Sigma 70-200 you can still use a teleconverter, I believe.

Yes, but you also double your (assuming you use a 2x teleconverter) minimum apeture...

Overread · May 26, 2008

Its also important to note that the canon teleconverters only work with canon L lenses (the white ones

) due to the physical construction of them which means that they will not conect to other lenses (there might be a few where they will work, but the majority don't)
So if you are after the sigma lens you will have to get sigma teleconverters

seabug · May 26, 2008

Hi, if you are shooting sports outdoors you can buy a teleconverter 1.4 or 2x to extend the reach of your zoom by those multiplication factors. They do cut out a stop or 2 of light. There are longer telephotos but they usually come at a higher price.