Ok, I'm going on a cruise Jan 2nd to the Caribbean. The wife is getting me a Canon XS kit for christmas. The kit lens obviously is not the best lens for scenic shots I will be taking so i need to get a nice zoom lens. I know this is a very opinionated question but what should I look for? I would like to buy a used one if any of you have something for sale. 55-250? 70-200/300? 75-300? Help! I need it to be relatively cheap due to just buying the camera and being christmas time.

 

Guess the first step is how much are you wanting to spend?

 

i would like to be below $200. also, if im going to be out walking around and dont want to take my tripod, should i be looking at IS lenses? That will be make or break with my budget.

 

Unless it is dark or night shouldn't need a tripod.... or trying to capture motion.

 

Hmm, under $200. There are very few lenses in that price range.

Take a look at adorama.com at the used canon lenses, and search by lowest price.

 

Dont know anything about Canon glass but here are a couple in your $ range and Focal range

$250 not much more distance and little more $ Canon 28-135 IS USM Zoom lens

$150 Canon EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 III AF 4x Zoom Telephoto Lens

 

Here are 2 on amazon 150 & 200 don't know how good they are but read the reviews they give you a pretty fair picture, pretty sure they do not have Image Stabilization / vibration Reduction VR

$160.00 Amazon.com: Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

$200 Amazon.com: Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

 

Can you guys give me a little insight on what which lens would be good for long range as well as close range? I don't want to get a lens and then realize i cant shoot anything close. Sorry for the newb questions but this is my first nice camera since i took a photography course in college.

 

This one that Shane suggested is a great lens. I currently have it on my 7D and I love it. Great, sharp lens but you're only getting 135mm out of it so if you want long, this isn't it lol

The 55-250 f/4 is another great lens. Too bad you didn't post this up a week ago. I just sold mine on ebay for $165. You could probably find one on Craig's List or even used on B&H.

The 70-300 that is linked up there is another one. Just make sure it's the IS. The non-IS sucks, well in my experience it did. Just not real sharp, hard time focusing, etc. You're not going to get real close with that one. I think minimum distance is about 5ft or some where around there so that is only going to be good for you distance shots.

 

Damn. I think thats what i want to get, a 55-250mm. Seems like that would make the best 2nd lens. Anyone else have one for sale?