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Photography Question 

Evan C. Benson
 

Telefocus Lens


Im using a Canon rebel K2 and im oging to be doing sports photography... im volunteering so I really don't need to invest in somthing real expensive... Im just wondering if this will last me ... It is a link to an ebay auction for a 500mm Hi-Def lens...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Opteka-500mm-Hi-Def-Telephoto-Lens-for-Canon-EOS-EF_W0QQitemZ280015159094QQihZ018QQcategoryZ4687QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


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August 09, 2006

 

Jon Close
  A cheap and not too bad way to get to 500mm for wildlife, this lens is not well suited for sports. It is manual focus, and the maximum aperture is only f/8 (makes it harder to get action-stopping shutter speeds), and it is relatively long and heavy - best used on a tripod or at least a monopod.

For sports you'd be better off spending ~$140-280 on a decent xx-300 f/4-5.6 autofocus lens from Canon, Sigma or Tamron. The "usual suspects" are:
Canon EF 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 USM - at ~$280 it is the most expensive in this class, but the only one with non-rotating front element (easier to use with polarizing filter) and Canon's fast/silent ring-USM that allows full-time manual focusing.
Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO DG - ~$200 reputed to be marginally sharper at 200-300 than all others in this class. Older version APO (but not DG) is as good and a few dollars less.
Tamron 70-300 f/4-5.6 Di LD - ~$190. Similar to Sigma APO. The current Di version has improved lens coatings and is preferred over the prior non-Di model.
Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 DG - $140 Probably best value for the money. The new DG model has improved optical design and lens coatings, much better than the older DL version.


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August 10, 2006

 

Jon Close
  P.S. Forgot, another thing about the Opteka 500mm lens is that it does not have automatic aperture nor any communication with the camera. It can only be used in Av and M exposure modes.


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August 10, 2006

 

Evan C. Benson
  Thank You sooo much....


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August 10, 2006

 
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