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Best/cheapest option for a tele-zoom?

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ARfive
Posts: 194 - Karma: 280
I know the canon 70-200 2.8 and f4l are the best options, but what would be the cheapest tele-zoom lens worth buying? Is it worth buying a tele zoom lens if it's not the 70-200 f4l or 2.8?

thanks, and +k to all responses
Jan 21 2012 8:20PM
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Gnarwall
Posts: 1180 - Karma: 50
I had a 55-250 f4-5.6 for a year and a half. It was good for shooting outside, in good lighting. Bit slow to focus, but that's not a problem if your subject is stationary. That being said, I now have a 55-250 for sale.

I got a 70-200 f4 and haven't looked back, although I wish I saved for the 2.8.
Jan 21 2012 9:39PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Just save your money for a 70-200 f4L, they run about $500 used. Its sharper than any other L zoom I've used (17-40, 24-105) and its just as sharp as the f4L IS. Lower price Canon tele's are pretty junky. You could look into tokina/tamron/sigma lenses, but for the most part the Canon equivalent is always a better lens.
Jan 21 2012 9:53PM
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,254
i was in your same position, cheaper vs. higher quality. i ended up shelling out for the 70-200 2.8, best decision ever. extremely sharp, very fast af and very accurate. can't say that i have every regretted it. i have heard that the f4ls are just as sharp, if not sharper, and are lighter. you wont regret the decision to get the 70-200, the f4ls go for about 500 used.
in my opinion, a lot of the time in photo equipment you get what you pay for. definitely worth the extra cash if you ask me (or any here with a 70-200)
Jan 21 2012 10:32PM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
Sigma 50-150 2.8 is pretty good for the price i hear
Jan 21 2012 11:10PM
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jason...
Posts: 9006 - Karma: 780
just save up and get a good 70-200, buy nice or buy twice.
Jan 21 2012 11:18PM
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dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
My nikon 80-200 is tight for video. Im sure you could find one cheap.
Jan 22 2012 1:02AM
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