Zoom Lens - Need Advice

[KoolBlue]

I'm planning to buy a zoom lens but not sure which and where to get it. Can be 1st or 2nd hand but can't be too ex. Budget ard $300.

Actually looking at either the AF 70-210mm/4.5-5.6 II or the AF 80-200mm/4.5-5.6

Advice pls.

Thanks Much !

 

[ninelives]

AF 70-210mm f/4.5-5.6 II = S$295

 

[ninelives]

Is AF 80-200mm/4.5-5.6 an old Minolta lens? I can't find this in all Minolta websites. Are you talking about 3rd party?
There is only one 80-200 f2.8 G lens.

 

[KoolBlue]

Originally posted by ninelives
Is AF 80-200mm/4.5-5.6 an old Minolta lens? I can't find this in all Minolta websites. Are you talking about 3rd party?
There is only one 80-200 f2.8 G lens.

I found it here on the Minolta website.

As for 3rd party, what are the options I have? Is it ok to buy 2nd hand lens?

Thanks again!

 

[ninelives]

that model could be faced out already.

if you got a tight budget, by all means get a 2nd hand, but bring an expert with you, make sure there is no crack or funcus.

for 3rd party lens, the 2 most popular model are Tokina and Sigma, you can read the debate here :

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11284

blue strike own a sigma zoom lens, i will ask him to post his comment here.

 

[Bluestrike]

comparing to the Canon counterpart, I feel that they are almost on par. The AF of the L len is faster a bit which really doesn't bother mi as much since HSM is quite fast liao. The sharpness is there but find that the Sigma is warmer and the colour not as saturated as the L counterpart. Handling, both are fine on my hands with the L len slightly heavier.

But for the cost, I dare say that Sigma is worth the money spent.

$0.02