Note: Photo tips are answers to questions asked on our Facebook page. If you would like to submit a question, please click here to submit your question. We will then post them on our Facebook page and let our fans respond to the question. We will then transfer the question over to our blog so we can keep them in an organized way for others to see.
Question from Jenae: “I am buying my first telephoto lens. I have a Canon Rebel t2i. I am choosing between the Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD or the Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM Telephoto Lens. Or do you have any recommendations? I’m trying to keep the price under 170, preferably under 120. I am willing to buy used from eBay, amazon and etc.”
Tom: I have a Canon 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6. I don’t remember the last time I used it, but it was one of the first lenses I bought. You can find one for $100-150 on eBay. Remember you get what you pay for. This one does not have IS.
Danny: Get a 50mm lens, I have a t3i and I love my photos with my 50mm lens
Colleen: depends what you plan to shoot with it…..overall, I tend to buy brand (I’m Nikon…so I buy Nikon) but it’s not based upon any scientific analysis. The diff between the 4 and 4.5 isn’t much. Check dpreview.com for reviews. Neither are great for low light situations, such a weddings, indoors, evenings, etc…..
Lavish Lens: I use the canon 50-200 and love it.
Lavish Lens: *55-200
Tom: Frankly, I’d save a little bit more and get a 70-200mm f/4 L. You can get them used for around $400-$500 these days. It’ll be non-IS at that price, but it’s very light and you could always use a tripod or monopod if you are shooting at lower shutter speeds. This is one of Canon’s best lenses, it’s tack sharp and the IQ is magnificent.
Kim: personally I love the 70-300 IS Canon lens
Selena: You are always going to want to buy a lens with a fixed f-stop. So rather than a f/4.0-5.6 lens, you’re going to want to buy either a f/4.0 or an f/5.6. -This is because when focusing, your lens can switch between the two, leading you to have an image not nearly as clear as a lens with a fixed f/stop.
Ray: I have a Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 and also use a t2i and I love it. It also has a switch for macro use. While I’m sure it’s not technically perfect, I find it pretty versatile.
Shelly: I LOVE my 55-250. My next upgrade is the 24-70 but will be saving for a little while longer for that one
Jenae: Thank you for all of your suggestions and advice. I chose to buy the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens because it has IS, it’s Canon (name brand) and it’s within my price range.
Sharon: It’s exciting buying a new lens. Problem is you immediately start thinking about the next…. enjoy your new baby. I’m also looking at a new lens myself but it’s about $2000 – donations welcome 🙂 . I’ve also just upgraded from the T2i to the Mark III – looking back on my photos taken previously I just love them – the T2i is a little beauty.
Feel free to keep responding to this question using our comment section below.