Which is the BEST telephoto zoom for canon?

I need something on the cheaper side, but still good for taking pictures at high school baseball games (zooms far but is still VERY clear). It would be a plus if this could be a versatile lens that I could use for a lot. Here are my choices:



1. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras



2. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras



3. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras



4. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer Telephoto Zoom Lens - Grey Market non US ProductWhich is the BEST telephoto zoom for canon?
I would probably go with number 3. If you have looked enough to find these four lenses, you have probably seen there are w lot of other, more expensive lenses, too.



There are not many people that buy a $1,600 lens as their first telephoto. Actually, I suspect that most people that buy entry level DSLRs don't even bother buying a second lens. The Canon 70-200 F4 is probably one of the better bang-for-the-buck lenses, and might be the first L lens you want to invest in (but 200mm is a little short for HS baseball).



There are definitely drawbacks to these lenses, but if you want to start now, and not wait until next year, I don't see any issue buying one of these now and if you really like sports photography, buy something better in a year. You lose some money selling these used on eBay, but really not that much.



For HS baseball, the lens at 300mm will probably give you a full length image of the batter from around first base. That means most of the infield is within your range. Outfield, not so much. As mentioned, you'll learn to appreciate sunny days because these lenses will work their best at F8 or F11. If your camera has reasonable ISO performance it will help a lot.
Whatever dude. You chose the answer you wanted to hear. What you read in my answer was the truth, so get over yourself. I swear, you people think we just make this stuff up, but you'll figure it out sooner or later, or you'll just pick some other hobby to halfass until it gets too hard, or costly.

Report Abuse

Which is the BEST telephoto zoom for canon?
The best zoom is probably the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8. It retails for $25,000.





Honestly, none of the ones you listed could be considered good, let alone BEST. Every lens on there has some serious image quality issues, but I think you will find that with any lens in that price range.



I would just get the best lens you can afford.
Huh? You say in your question that you want the BEST, then turn right around and say you need something on the cheaper side. Make up your mind. When did you ever know the BEST in anything in life to be cheap?



I would not give $50 for any of those lenses you have listed. I can tell you EXACTLY what you need and what IS the best, but it is NOT cheap. The Canon 70-200 2.8 L IS



steveWhich is the BEST telephoto zoom for canon?
The best will not be on the cheaper size. You need to decide between "best" and cheap.



You won't get far and clear with these lenses. I've had better luck focusing manually when I use that farthest focal length on my 75-300mm lens.
The BEST canon telephoto zoom is the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II. Between the four you listed, compared with what is actually best, it wouldn't matter which you chose. The two things that differentiate the lenses you've listed are 1), IS (image stabilizer), and 2), the frame they are made for. EF is the standard mount for all modern canon lenses and can be used on all canon cameras. EF-S is for the APS-C cameras only. So if you have a 5D, you can't use two of what you've listed. If you have a rebel, you can use all four. And all four are as cheap as they come, so all other considerations (except IS) are basically moot. So decide how cheap you want to be and pick one. You get what you pay for. If however, what you are concerned with is image quality, my suggestion is to save your money and get a good lens. Because if you're shooting sports, your maximum focal length and aperture are important. And all four of those lenses are soft at their long ends wide open. Sure, you can stop them down to f/8, but then what's the point? Right now, you're just concerned with cost, which becomes a moot consideration the longer you do this. Most people who learn how to get the best images know why the glass is so important, more important actually than the camera it's mounted to. If none of that is of concern because it really doesn't matter what the images look like, by all means, do what you gotta do. My advice, if that is the case, pick one with IS. Otherwise, it doesn't matter (unless the difference between $110 and $220 is really a big deal, in which case I'd recommend the one's without USM or IS).

gas mileage calculator