Help me pick my next lens! (tele zoom)

[bjelder]

Hey guys-

Just picked up a Canon XSi and a 75-300 (non IS) lens.. hey the lens was free, can't blame me.

Anyway it seems like no matter what I do, my shots are soft. I'm hoping to move onto a bigger and better lens.

I was hoping you guys could offer me some advice. I take pictures of mostly airplanes on the ramp or landing at BWI where I use about 150mm of zoom.

I'm in between the canon 70-300 IS and the 70-200 f/4L. Also midly considering the sigma 18-200 or canon 28-135 for ramp shots.

Thoughts? Thanks!

[Tanner_J]

My answer every time is the 70-200.

[chris78cpr]

Yup agree with tanner. When budget is an issue go for the 70-200F4L! I started with it and loved the lens, only reason i got rid of mine was to upgrade to the 70-200F2.8LIS for shooting sports.

I would stay away from the 18-200 type zooms too for ramp shots, the high magnification zooms tend to lack a bit in the quality and sharpness area. For ramp shots consider the 24-105F4L if your budget stretches or even the 24-85 zoom from canon. The 28-135 is nice but you will find the width isn't great. The 24mm over 28mm makes a bit off difference.

Chris

[adam642]

The 70-200 f/4 is about the best it gets in the price range. I had one for a couple of weeks...I actually got a shot from that lens accepted to JP with no sharpening in PS (because I forgot, not because I was trying to be a cowboy ). I ended up returning it because it's not long enough for JFK, but I miss it. The 70-300 IS is a great range and the IS is nice, but the image quality isn't in the same league.

Do you already have a kit lens? The Canon 18-55 IS and Tamron 17-50 are good performers in their respective price ranges and would work well for ramp shots...

[wrxflyer]

The 70-300 IS is a great range and the IS is nice, but the image quality isn't in the same league.

Not agree.
It is one of the best Canon non-L lenses around; only at the end of range it's a bit soft.
If you need more than 200mm, this one comes in mind first.
If there is not much money to spend, I always advice this one.

But topicstarter doubts between the 70-300 IS and the 70-200 L and don't need the extra focal length, so 70-200 L is the one and only choice

Freek