Cannon Digital Rebel Lens Help

[badbilly27]

I have a Cannon Digital Rebel EOS model number DS6041. I've had this camera for ~2years and still consider myself an amatuer.

I am using the standard lens that came with the Rebel EFS 18-55mm. Ive been taking pictures of my 6 & 7 year olds doing competitive cheer and it's just too far away. Looking to buy a lens with telephoto capabilities but yet being functional for my amatuer day-to-day photogrpahy needs. I'm not big on swapping lens for each "shot" but could if my only option.

Really appreciate a suggestion on a telephoto lens that's compatible with my camera and my needs. Linky or suggestion to best price sites is also very appreciated.

I'm open to other accessory ideas (lens, flash, etc) one would suggest for me to maximize these great moments.

 

[Jawo]

One of the best Canon telephoto lenses for you would be the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM. Its about $550. If thats too much you could also get the EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 III USM. The big difference being the Image Stabilization, which is worth the premium, IMO, unless you are using a tripod. Another non IS lens would be the Sigma 50-500, which FuzzyBabyBunny seems to really enjoy.

Ideally (money being no object) you should get the Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM, but its a tad pricey at ~$1300 and heavy.

 

[DrPizza]

I just re-stickied a thread that was here for a while - FAQ: A starter guid to buying lenses for your Canon digital SLR camera here There's a lot of good information in that thread.

(No one had posted in that thread since early September, but there have been several lens questions lately, so I re-stickied it for a little bit. Seems timely, since Christmas is coming up.)

 

[4x4expy]

Originally posted by: Jawo
One of the best Canon telephoto lenses for you would be the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM. Its about $550. If thats too much you could also get the EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 III USM. The big difference being the Image Stabilization, which is worth the premium, IMO, unless you are using a tripod. Another non IS lens would be the Sigma 50-500, which FuzzyBabyBunny seems to really enjoy.

Ideally (money being no object) you should get the Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM, but its a tad pricey at ~$1300 and heavy.

The 70-300 IS is a great little lens. For about the same price or less these days, you can pick up a 70-200mm f/4L, which will last you a lifetime. You would love the lens so much that you would never notice the 200-300 not being there. It is a fantastic lens that truly has no weakness. It is a constant f/4 aperature which is fast enough for outdoor spoorts and even most indoor shooting with adequate lighting and using ISO 800-1600. I've owned the Sigma 50-500 also, and while optically a great lens, it is simply huge and heavy. Shooting at or near 500mm, a tripod or sandbag rest is nearly mandatory.

 

[corkyg]

The sticky is great - but in general, stickies are a PITA! (They get too big. To bad they aren't locked so they don't grow.)

Anyway, I endorse the 70-300 IS lens. Very versatile. On the Rebel, it equates to a 112-480 35mm equivalent. Good value!

 

[badbilly27]

Thanks for the replies to date. I see the 70-300 IS has a few models out there by Cannon. One is a 70-300 DO IS. Which model is the one being recommended?

I found the 70-300 IS (MFG Part #: 0345B002) for $519 shipped. But now uncertain I have the right model being recommended. Guidance is appreciated.

 

[chucky2]

I shoot Nikon and have used the Nikkor 70-200 F2.8 VR and it is an awesome lens...this would be the same as the aforementioned Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM. After having used a few F2.8 lens now, I can safely say they are much much nicer to use than the F4-5.6 type of lens.

If at all possible, try and get F2.8 or below lens's, they are just so much nicer to shoot with, and you'll get better pictures you never would have got with the F4-5.6 variety lens's.

You may want to check out B&H Photo and/or Adorama for Used lens's, you may be able to grab a very good condition Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM for significantly cheaper than $1300.

JMHO's...

Chuck

 

[corkyg]

I was not referring to the DO IS 70-0300. That would be way out of your budget. That is one of my current favorites. I was referring to the 70-300 IS shown here:

Lens

 

[GTaudiophile]

Some suggestions:

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L for $539
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS for $549
Sigma Zoom Normal-Telephoto 50-150mm f/2.8 for $679
Tokina Zoom Normal-Telephoto 50-135mm f/2.8 for $699
Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-200mm f/2.8 for $889

The Canon 70-300 is the best value as it has the most reach and IS, especially if you are using it mostly for outdoor work. If you do more indoor work, look at a F2.8 lens.

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: badbilly27
Thanks for the replies to date. I see the 70-300 IS has a few models out there by Cannon. One is a 70-300 DO IS. Which model is the one being recommended?

I found the 70-300 IS (MFG Part #: 0345B002) for $519 shipped. But now uncertain I have the right model being recommended. Guidance is appreciated.

As others have said it is the non-DO version. Check it out in corkyg's post.

Be sure you buy from a reputable seller to confirm that you get what you pay for. Also understand the differences between the International (grey market, 1 yr warrenty) and US (full warrenty). B&H sells both versions, so be careful!

 

[GTaudiophile]

You can read reviews on most of these lenses by going here.

 

[montanafan]

If you're shooting the cheering competitions outdoors in good light, this is a nice lens, especially for the price.

Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM $189.95

If you're shooting in low light or indoors and don't want to use a flash, this is an excellent lens.

Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM

 

[yllus]

I'll update the Canon FAQ in the near future with some more lens selections.

 

[vanderStoep]

I`d limit my choises to these three;

1) Canon 70-300 IS (IS can be really helpfull, nice size and range)
2) Sigma 70-300 APO DG ($220, cheap and good optics, be sure the get the high quality APO version)
3) F4L (of perhaps the IS version, both perfect build quality but heavy and, the IS, quite expensive).

 

[soydios]

perhaps I should write a Nikon lens guide

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: soydios
perhaps I should write a Nikon lens guide

go for it

 

[magomago]

the cheer competitions that I ever saw were usually indoors without great light.... Depending on how away you would be, I'd probably suggest using a tripod and then a Bigma. (Sigma 50-500) although 500mm means you'll be zoomed in quite a bit and will mos def need a tripod unless you have a pretty fast shutter speed going on. It isn't the best quality glass, but it can produce some really nice pictures http://www.creationview.com/gallery/50-500/index.htm and you posisitvely won't have to worry about not having a far enough reach

 

[soydios]

when shooting indoors, subject motion is also a problem. that Bigma's maximum apertures are not very large.

the absolute best of course is the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM from Canon (or AF-S VR from Nikon). if that isn't possible, then get an older model (like I got a twenty-year-old Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF)

 

[GoingUp]

I have the 70-200mm F2.8 IS and I love the lens, but it is also heavy as hell.

 

[Thoreau]

Originally posted by: 4x4expy

Originally posted by: Jawo
One of the best Canon telephoto lenses for you would be the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM. Its about $550. If thats too much you could also get the EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 III USM. The big difference being the Image Stabilization, which is worth the premium, IMO, unless you are using a tripod. Another non IS lens would be the Sigma 50-500, which FuzzyBabyBunny seems to really enjoy.

Ideally (money being no object) you should get the Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM, but its a tad pricey at ~$1300 and heavy.

The 70-300 IS is a great little lens. For about the same price or less these days, you can pick up a 70-200mm f/4L, which will last you a lifetime. You would love the lens so much that you would never notice the 200-300 not being there. It is a fantastic lens that truly has no weakness. It is a constant f/4 aperature which is fast enough for outdoor spoorts and even most indoor shooting with adequate lighting and using ISO 800-1600. I've owned the Sigma 50-500 also, and while optically a great lens, it is simply huge and heavy. Shooting at or near 500mm, a tripod or sandbag rest is nearly mandatory.

I'll definitely 2nd the 70-200 F/4L. I bought this one (non-IS version) a couple months ago and it truly is an amazing lens. L-quality all the way, and relatively affordable at the $550'ish price point. It's built like a tank, but isn't obscenely heavy hanging from my neck on my XTi body.

 

[cparker]

If you can wait a few months and if you don't want to spend more than 300 dollars I would not buy anything right now. A new lens is coming out in the next month or so -- the 55-250 EF-S IS lens from Canon. It wont be available in the US at first, probably because of production limits, but should be here once production ramps up. If it's anything like the 18-55 IS in quality it will be a killer lens with incredible bang for the buck. It should be a perfect match for the rebel (I assume it's a 300d), being lighter without suffering in the optics department.