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What Zoom Lens Should I Buy?

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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,165
Hello Newschoolers. I'm currently in the market for buying a zoom lens primarily for photography. I will be using this lens on my Canon t2i. I already have a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8, which works great for filming and a good amount of pictures, but I have realized that I am taking more pictures than I was expecting to, and would like to be closer to the subject in a lot of my pictures. Thanks for your help! Also willing to use vintage glass if that seems like a good option.


First, start with your budget. How much money do you have to spend?
Willing to spend up to $500, but wouldn't mind spending a good amount less.

Second, what kind of lens do you need? What will you be using it for?
Zoom Lens, somewhere around the 70-200mm. Taking pictures of mostly people skiing, and whatever life brings me. Also a good amount of nature stuff.

Do you want something that is fast (good in low light)?
Hopefully, but not 100% necessary.

Do you want a prime or a zoom?
Zoom for the flexibility.

What lenses do you already have?
Tamron 17-50mm 2.8

Do you mind using a full manual lens?
Nope, prefer manual actually.


Feb 17 2013 1:30PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
Why the f would you prefer to shoot with a manual lens? they're the same as auto lenses but without af or aperture in camera.

Possible lenses:

Canon 70-200 f/4
Pros:
Rapid autofocus
Ring USM
Really sharp.
Solid build quality
Lightweight(~750g)

Cons:
f/4

Sigma 70-200 f/2.8
Pros:
f/2.8
Fast autofocus, not as fast as the canon though from what I've heard.
Ring USM
not sure about build quality, I imagine it's decent as it's all metal IIRC, but I've never held it so I'm not sure.

Cons:
Heavy(1500g~)
Significantly softer than the canon from what I've seen & heard, even at f/4.


Tamron 70-200 f/2.8

No idea what the build quality is like, might be metal might not be.
Pros:
f/2.8
sharper than the sigma from what I've heard, not as good as the canon but I've heard it's close.

Cons:
non usm autofocus(micromotor I think it's called)
slower autofocus than the canon
Heavy(1500g~)



Feb 17 2013 2:02PM
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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,165
Sorry I thought it was referring to the focus. Clearly a beginner mistake :(
Feb 17 2013 2:32PM
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Mag
Posts: 8155 - Karma: 14,809
nah sorry I thought you just meant fully manual, with auto lenses you can still use manual focus you know right?
Feb 17 2013 2:37PM
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michael_bc
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 720
Second hand Tokina 50-135 f/2.8.
Feb 17 2013 2:42PM
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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,165
yep, that's what i do
Feb 17 2013 3:39PM
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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,165
Thanks! I've been looking at reviews, and it looks like this lens could definitely be in my near future!
Feb 17 2013 4:11PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
cheaper, some can give a unique look (vintage), and for video the focus rings are so much better, much easier to focus. So if he is doing only video, I would say save money, and get a few manual lenses, but since he wants to do photo and he has the budget, a modern auto may be a better choice. As far as the canons go, I have used the 70-200 f2.8l a lot and it is a great lens. thing is a tank, but so sharp. I'm assuming that the 70-200 f4l would feature the same build quality etc. Also, not sure if it was mentioned, but the canons don't extend when you zoom, not sure if the other ones do or not
Feb 17 2013 5:59PM
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