Budget end 70-300 zoom?

[mikep]

Hi all

My niece's boyfriend has just purchased a 70d, and I'm giving him my 18-55 I no longer need. He's looking for a 70-300 zoom at the cheaper end, so around £200. He also wants to be able do do some macro work.

He's looking at the offerings from Sigma and Tamron, and I have told him he can borrow my extension rings!

HE can't afford too much, having spent most of his budget on the 'better' body. He's a zoo keeper, and will be photographing zoo animals mainly, but insects too, both captive and wild! He's had smaller cameras, but this is his first foray into DSLR territory.

What would people recommend for the zoom? I had a quick look at the Sigma, and it seems to have quite good reviews, and has a macro function. I had the Canon 70-300 non 'L' for a while, but that's a bit too much ATM.

Many thanks guys, appreciate your views.

Mike

[Paulstw]

Re: Budget end 70-300 zoom?

Hands down without a doubt a used Tamron 70-300 VC. It's going for about £150-£200 just now and I still look back on the pics and marvel at how good the lens was.

[Dave_S]

Re: Budget end 70-300 zoom?

I agree with Paul, I had the Tamron 70-300 di VC, and was also impressed with it.

I think it was something like £289 new, when I bought it, and I sold it at less than 12 months old for £150 as I remember.

The only reason I sold it, was because I bought the Canon 70-300 L.

Dave

[Bhuna]

Re: Budget end 70-300 zoom?

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens is £220 second hand with MPB at moment I believe.

[antoeknee]

Re: Budget end 70-300 zoom?

The Tamron is a good lens and always comes out as best at this type of price in reviews. Actually think it performs very well and have used mine on my 5D3 as well, see otter pics from BWC and my kestrel pics (60D plus Tamron). Only slight negative for me was it's quite easy to move the switches for MF and VC but it's not something I've heard from other users, so probably just me.

Not sure of current price but seem to recall about £280 last time I looked.

[David A]

Re: Budget end 70-300 zoom?

WEX have Sigma 70-300 with macro reduced to £98 and free post if ordered today

[mikep]

Re: Budget end 70-300 zoom?

Thanks guys - some good advice there... and I've told him about MPB as well! ;-)

Cheers, Mike.

[Bhuna]

Re: Budget end 70-300 zoom?

WEX have Sigma 70-300 with macro reduced to £98 and free post if ordered today

If referring to this one then I had that originally when I purchased my 1100D (first camera). I know it scores highly on the reviews, but personally I was never pleased with the quality of the pictures as felt at 300 they were quite soft - now it may also have been a combination of me being new to photography as well - but at the lower end and for the macro capability, the picture quality was ok.

I part ex-d mine towards the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens and have to say I noticed the difference in the quality of the pictures straight away and am well pleased with it.

[2Beers]

Re: Budget end 70-300 zoom?

whats wrong with the canon efs 55 - 250 I know its just short of the 70-300 but hey it's reasonably priced

[the black fox]

Re: Budget end 70-300 zoom?

whats wrong with the canon efs 55 - 250 I know its just short of the 70-300 but hey it's reasonably priced

That's one I would go for as well ,just looking at one on e.bay 55-250 i.s stm grey import posted from within the U.k ,and it's around £135 brand new ,had a mark 1. Years ago and they produce results well above there price range

[paulr5604]

Re: Budget end 70-300 zoom?

I had the Tamron 70-300 with macro function built in it was the non IS version and I didn't rate it I ended up selling it to buy a battery grip for my 40D. I will be holding of on any lens purchases until I can afford to buy the better quality stuff in the future.

[mikep]

Re: Budget end 70-300 zoom?

Thanks again guys... All valuable info which I appreciate.

I've had an offer of the Canon 70-300 non 'L', which he is now considering.

All the best, Mike.