lens help

[ozonepirate]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a new zoom lens, but all the reviews have confused me for around £400 it seems a tos up between the 70-200 f4 non is or the ef-s 70-300 so do i go for slightly longer zoom or the quality of an L series lens..please help me!

[chaz]

Personally, I would always opt for quality over reach, but it depends on what your shooting.

[ozonepirate]

mainly animal portraits and weddings!

[ozonepirate]

now i am told the sigma 70-200 f2.8 is better than the canon 70-200 f4 l series?

[chaz]

Well it is certainly faster, but better ? for weddings something like a 17-85mm would be a good starting point depending on your shooting style, it would even be ideal for pet portraits, I would not like to use a 70-200 f4 in a dull church where flash is not allowed, try and get the fastest lens that you can afford.

[george.monaghan]

Hi,

Why are ther so many varying zoom ranges in lenses? Coz no one lens can do it all.

I got a Tamrom 28-105 F2.8 (there are 2 versions) and I went for the much more expensive one and it lay in my bag for ages as the AF was simply not fast ebough on my 5D.

Now I have the 40D and 1D Mk3 it just zips along very nicely and has relegated my 28-70 L to the camera bag.

This is about the best range you can get (IMO) for portraits and fast enough to work well indoors. It will focus close and has nice circular out of focus highlights.

My particular model is nearly double your £400 but I am sure you could pick up similar for around that price range you are after.

[ozonepirate]

well thanks for all your help guys, and I think i will take georges advice and get a fast lens....well i'm off shopping now!!!