advice on tele zoom lens for my Canon

Since i have 30D with 17-85IS, i wanted to get one tele-zoom lens. So, i
wanted to buy 70-300 IS USM, since i can't afford DO or L right now. But now
i found out two models which i need your advice on - Neither of them have
IS, but....

Sigma 50-500 F4.5-6.3 or Tokina 80-400 F4.5-5.6 Both of them are supposley
much better than Canon one...sure, they lack of IS, but, i guess i could
live without it, or not?

So if anyone have any experiences or knowledge of these two lenses, i'd be
gratefull if could write some words of advice. That sigma is about top price
i could afford right now...

Second thing is - in future i will need an additional flash, so again here
are two models- -Canon 430Ex or Sigma EF-500 DG - it seems there are two
models - ST and SUP - whatever difference is--- so, which one to choose,
since price is similar, while sigma is somewhat stronger?
THX

Hi,

Since I have 30D with 17-85IS, i wanted to get one tele-zoom lens.

I did just the reverse with my Canon 350XT. Came with the kit lens
(18-55mm) and I later purchased Sigma (70-300mm, 4-5.6). I just ordered
the 17-85mm IS lens and will be interested in how it compares with the
kit lens.

Good luick with your purchase of a long lens.


Best,

Conrad
Camp Sherman, Oregon

"Bart van der Wolf" wrote in message
...

"Protoncek (ex.SleeperMan)" wrote in message
...
Since i have 30D with 17-85IS, i wanted to get one tele-zoom lens.

Why a zoom? They are always more of a compromise, usually heavier, less
contrasty, harder to focus with due to smaller wide aperture, and they
slow down your ability to learn better composition. Just food for thought.

--
Bart
hm...good point, sure. I'd say zoom for first use, i guess. Later on i'll
definitely buy some fixed lenses (like, 50 f1.8). getting it all is just
too expensive.

"Protoncek (ex.SleeperMan)" wrote in message
...
Since i have 30D with 17-85IS, i wanted to get one tele-zoom lens. So, i
wanted to buy 70-300 IS USM, since i can't afford DO or L right now. But
now i found out two models which i need your advice on - Neither of them
have IS, but....

Sigma 50-500 F4.5-6.3 or Tokina 80-400 F4.5-5.6 Both of them are
supposley much better than Canon one...sure, they lack of IS, but, i guess
i could live without it, or not?

So if anyone have any experiences or knowledge of these two lenses, i'd be
gratefull if could write some words of advice. That sigma is about top
price i could afford right now...

Second thing is - in future i will need an additional flash, so again here
are two models- -Canon 430Ex or Sigma EF-500 DG - it seems there are two
models - ST and SUP - whatever difference is--- so, which one to choose,
since price is similar, while sigma is somewhat stronger?
THX

My advice, if you'll be using either of these lenses at the long end of the
zoom range (800 mm and 640 mm effective) is get a GOOD tripod. I have a
70-300 IS USM, and with the IS off, it is tough for me to get a good
handheld shot at anything over 200mm (320 mm effective). Shoot a few with
your existing lens at 85 mm, a low shutter speed and IS turned off to get a
feel for it.

As for the flash, be sure the Sigma has all the functions the Canon does.

Good luck,

Holley

"Holley" wrote in message
...

"Protoncek (ex.SleeperMan)" wrote in message
...
Since i have 30D with 17-85IS, i wanted to get one tele-zoom lens. So, i
wanted to buy 70-300 IS USM, since i can't afford DO or L right now. But
now i found out two models which i need your advice on - Neither of them
have IS, but....

Sigma 50-500 F4.5-6.3 or Tokina 80-400 F4.5-5.6 Both of them are
supposley much better than Canon one...sure, they lack of IS, but, i
guess i could live without it, or not?

So if anyone have any experiences or knowledge of these two lenses, i'd
be gratefull if could write some words of advice. That sigma is about top
price i could afford right now...

Second thing is - in future i will need an additional flash, so again
here are two models- -Canon 430Ex or Sigma EF-500 DG - it seems there are
two models - ST and SUP - whatever difference is--- so, which one to
choose, since price is similar, while sigma is somewhat stronger?
THX

My advice, if you'll be using either of these lenses at the long end of
the zoom range (800 mm and 640 mm effective) is get a GOOD tripod. I have
a 70-300 IS USM, and with the IS off, it is tough for me to get a good
handheld shot at anything over 200mm (320 mm effective). Shoot a few with
your existing lens at 85 mm, a low shutter speed and IS turned off to get
a feel for it.

As for the flash, be sure the Sigma has all the functions the Canon does.

Good luck,

Holley


i looked this new Canon a bit- ---although is expensive, i think it might be
excellent stuff---EF 70-200 L F4 IS USM they say it will be on sale
November....

"Holley" wrote in message
...

"Protoncek (ex.SleeperMan)" wrote in message
...
Since i have 30D with 17-85IS, i wanted to get one tele-zoom lens. So, i
wanted to buy 70-300 IS USM, since i can't afford DO or L right now. But
now i found out two models which i need your advice on - Neither of them
have IS, but....

Sigma 50-500 F4.5-6.3 or Tokina 80-400 F4.5-5.6 Both of them are
supposley much better than Canon one...sure, they lack of IS, but, i
guess i could live without it, or not?

So if anyone have any experiences or knowledge of these two lenses, i'd
be gratefull if could write some words of advice. That sigma is about top
price i could afford right now...

Second thing is - in future i will need an additional flash, so again
here are two models- -Canon 430Ex or Sigma EF-500 DG - it seems there are
two models - ST and SUP - whatever difference is--- so, which one to
choose, since price is similar, while sigma is somewhat stronger?
THX

My advice, if you'll be using either of these lenses at the long end of
the zoom range (800 mm and 640 mm effective) is get a GOOD tripod. I have
a 70-300 IS USM, and with the IS off, it is tough for me to get a good
handheld shot at anything over 200mm (320 mm effective). Shoot a few with
your existing lens at 85 mm, a low shutter speed and IS turned off to get
a feel for it.

As for the flash, be sure the Sigma has all the functions the Canon does.

Good luck,

Holley




Good point. I'll do that withmy current lens...

I also looked to new EF 70-200 L F4 IS USM from Canon...it might be a very
good stuff, but sure, way more expensive ?

Hi,

How is that sigma works (70-300mm, 4-5.6)? I mean, are you shooting from hand or tripod?

I use the Sigma lens far less than my kit lens - largely because I'm
lazy to change lenses and the 18-55mm lens works for me in most cases.
That's probably one of the best reasons I've ordered the Canon 17-85mm
IS lens. It will probably work for most of my pictures and hopefully do
better than my kit lens. We'll see.

When using the Sigma lens - I use the short end for portraits and
candid people shots (hand held). When using the long end - I try to use
a tripod (but again, I'm lazy). I also have a 2X teleconverter and when
used with the long end of the Sigma - can get me out to 960mm (with
crop factor). That has to be with tripod.

Another fun feature on the Sigma is close up pictures using the 200mm
to 300mm lens range (Sigma calls this macro).

Best,

Conrad
Camp Sherman, Oregon

"Conrad" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

How is that sigma works (70-300mm, 4-5.6)? I mean, are you shooting from
hand or tripod?

I use the Sigma lens far less than my kit lens - largely because I'm
lazy to change lenses and the 18-55mm lens works for me in most cases.
That's probably one of the best reasons I've ordered the Canon 17-85mm
IS lens. It will probably work for most of my pictures and hopefully do
better than my kit lens. We'll see.


i guess you can't miss with this lens. OK, 24-105 would be even better, but
almost twice the price. As far as i can tell in a month of use of this lens,
i can only say good. Wide enough for most cases, but still pretty good tele.
IS is only a good thing. Pics have to be somewhat worked out in PS, sure -
mainly some sharpening, but this is just pain of non L lenses, i guess. When
we'll have more money, things will change (i hope)

Protoncek (ex.SleeperMan) wrote:
Since i have 30D with 17-85IS, i wanted to get one tele-zoom lens. So, i
wanted to buy 70-300 IS USM, since i can't afford DO or L right now. But now
i found out two models which i need your advice on - Neither of them have
IS, but....

Sigma 50-500 F4.5-6.3 or Tokina 80-400 F4.5-5.6 Both of them are supposley
much better than Canon one...sure, they lack of IS, but, i guess i could
live without it, or not?

If I do not want IS, then I would use 200/2.8, sometimes with 1.4x and
2x.

Second thing is - in future i will need an additional flash, so again here
are two models- -Canon 430Ex or Sigma EF-500 DG - it seems there are two
models - ST and SUP - whatever difference is--- so, which one to choose,
since price is similar, while sigma is somewhat stronger?

If you can get Sigma EF 500 DG ST for about $100, it is a good value.
If you want better features, then you can choose from Sigma EF 500 DG
Super, Metz 54 AF, and Canon 550EX.

http://digitcamera.tripod.com/#slr

Protoncek (ex.SleeperMan) wrote:
I also looked to new EF 70-200 L F4 IS USM from Canon...it might be a very
good stuff, but sure, way more expensive ?

I'd consider 70-300/4-5.6 IS and 70-200/2.8 IS, and skip the middle f/4
one.

http://digitcamera.tripod.com/#slr