[outkast kid]

Snobby excuse if you ask me. A lens doesn't need a letter from the alphabet and a red ring to be considered good. Sure the 55-250 isn't the best but it's one of the better consumer telephoto zooms available.

[wafflecakee]

Ahah because that's all that sets them apart...

[reddogphoto]

I've seen excellent work from an XTi and an 18-55 EF-S kit lens. I've seen piss poor work from a 1Ds and red ring primes. It's all about who's behind the equipment and how they work within their limitations. Sure, good glass should always be the first investment beyond basic kit, but knowledge, eye, and ability are 9/10ths of the equation.

[wafflecakee]

Well just because I say good glass makes a difference doesn't mean I don't know that if you put a monkey behind the camera you get monkey photos...

[Mike Grenade]

Maybe if you hadn't dropped that comment to let us know about all your L glass, this conversation would be moving in a useful direction.

You say no to the 55-250, then suggest the 18-200, which has some of the most uneven performance of anything Canon makes. To top it off, the 18-200 costs over twice what the 55-250 does, falling outside the OP's budget before even adding a camera.

OP said $500 budget. Entry-level zoom options are (Prices new/used):
EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS I/II $250/$150
EF 70-210mm f3.5-4.5 USM ---/$150
EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 USM IS $500/$300
EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 III $150/$100
Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG APO $200/$100

We don't talk about the 75-300, and the rest are fine for this budget. I recommend the 70-210 USM (not to be mistaken for the 70-210 push-pull) when it can be found, because it's the only ring USM lens on this list and will focus just as fast as the 70-200/4L.

Originally Posted by outkast kid

Everyone is shouting 40D but a t3i is going to blow that body out of the water in every technical category except frames per second.

...And autofocus.

Here's the breakdown, 1DII vs. 40D vs. 30D vs. T3i.

1D Mark II(n)
• 45-point TTL CMOS sensor
• 9 center points cross-type for lenses F2.8 or faster
• F4 cross-type at center

40D
• 9-point TTL CMOS sensor
• All points cross-type for lenses of F5.6 or faster
• Center point additionally sensitive with lenses of F2.8 or faster

30D
• 9-point TTL CMOS sensor
• F2.8 cross-type at center

T3i
• 9-point TTL CMOS sensor
• F5.6 cross-type at center, extra sensitivity at F2.8

OP: "Cross-type" points have both horizontal and vertical sensitivity, which makes them more versatile.

The 30D is the worst of the bunch, with no cross-type sensitivity for any of the lenses listed above. The T3i is the second worst, and the most expensive option at $450 used. The 30D is down to $200-250, 40D $250-300, 1D2 $400-600, 1D2n $500-700.

TL;DR: I would try to land a 40D and 55-250 or 70-210.

[wafflecakee]

I actually don't own any, I rent and borrow. Never said I owned any... This is the life of an unsuccessful photographer. I used to run a rental department.

But yeah 40d is a good camera.

[aquadgio1]

have you looked at any Nikons yet? D3200 is a great all around camera.

[Ironside]

Originally Posted by Mike Grenade

Maybe if you hadn't dropped that comment to let us know about all your L glass, this conversation would be moving in a useful direction.

You say no to the 55-250, then suggest the 18-200, which has some of the most uneven performance of anything Canon makes. To top it off, the 18-200 costs over twice what the 55-250 does, falling outside the OP's budget before even adding a camera.

OP said $500 budget. Entry-level zoom options are (Prices new/used):
EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS I/II $250/$150
EF 70-210mm f3.5-4.5 USM ---/$150
EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 USM IS $500/$300
EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 III $150/$100
Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG APO $200/$100

We don't talk about the 75-300, and the rest are fine for this budget. I recommend the 70-210 USM (not to be mistaken for the 70-210 push-pull) when it can be found, because it's the only ring USM lens on this list and will focus just as fast as the 70-200/4L.


...And autofocus.

Here's the breakdown, 1DII vs. 40D vs. 30D vs. T3i.

OP: "Cross-type" points have both horizontal and vertical sensitivity, which makes them more versatile.

The 30D is the worst of the bunch, with no cross-type sensitivity for any of the lenses listed above. The T3i is the second worst, and the most expensive option at $450 used. The 30D is down to $200-250, 40D $250-300, 1D2 $400-600, 1D2n $500-700.

TL;DR: I would try to land a 40D and 55-250 or 70-210.

I've asked around questions in which this post quoted above answers everything in one go. I also can confirm his prices on the 30D, 40D, and the 55-250. I've been pointed to the 40D + 55-250 also. This is exactly what I will be picking up once I have the cash for it.

Thank you Mike, this was incredibly helpful.