It's for a friend! I swear!

[adam613]

One of my co-workers wants to join in our plane-spotting excursions. He's got a DSLR (Canon XTi), but no long lens. And he has some pretty severe budgetary restrictions (also known as several little kids running around at home). I know there are a bunch of $200ish "consumer" telephoto zooms...Canon, Tamron, and Sigma all make 70/75-300s in that price range, for example. He's quite aware of the limitations of buying such a cheap lens (soft pictures, no takeoff shots), but that said, which would you guys recommend as the least bad of the bunch?

[MarkLawrence]

Judging by Fred's write up of his latest acquisition, I'd go with that - it seems like an awesome lens!

[SoPictureThis]

Tell him to buy my Canon 75-300 IS USM lens from me...it's in outstanding condition. Been used very few times; certainly a solid lens to start with. I'd sell it for $200. Contact me if interested.

- jMay

[T-Bird76]

Tell him to buy my Canon 75-300 IS USM lens from me...it's in outstanding condition. Been used very few times; certainly a solid lens to start with. I'd sell it for $200. Contact me if interested.

- jMay

I Agree, outstanding lens for the money.

[Jetinder]

All 3 are great lenses, generally i use a Tamron 28-105mm for wide angle shots.

I use a Tokina 80-400 for long range shots.

Never used a Canon or Sigma but heard they are very good.