I'm just a very new guy in the field of Photography - just got my first DSLR back in December.
Currently using a Canon XS/1000D

Because of my love of shooting aircraft, I want a good telephoto lens, but also inexpensive.
I am looking to throw around max 500-600 dollars on it - are there any in this price range that I can consider?

I would probably recommend the Canon 70-300IS - decent quality, pretty long reach and IS for shooting hand-held.

Here's one for 650: http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/va...316974924.html

EF-S 55-250mm IS? About $375.

I love my Sigma 10-20mm too. From what Senna has said though, I probably won't buy another Sigma lens. I do find my 2 Sigma lenses are a bit soft.

i got the 55-250mm IS lens and its awesome
good quality plus its an awesome lens to have for landscape pictures just like any other zoom lens and at the price its at its worth it

i have this lens and it works great. it's not tack sharp, but you can't compare it to the canon one that is something like 1.7 times the price or something.

and the reason why you would get a super wide angle is for the crazy perspective, not to fill the picture with everything you can see.

i have the 55-250IS. i'd have to say i was impressed by such a budget lens.

now i'm thinking about the 70-300 IS USM and the 70-200 f4L. how do they compare? reach is definitely swaying me and reviews deem the former as a 'hidden L lens'. but u guys keep tempting me with ur 'L' talk

The 'L' will be sharper and have higher contrast for sure, and is built to a higher standard. The 70-300 isn't a bad lens by any means though. Test them out at Leo's, they have a good selection of Canon lenses in stock.

just wanted to chime in that the 70-300's focus rotates... so it won't work well with circular polorizers... while 70-200 f4L doesn't....

Senna, what do you think of Tamron Lenses overall??
I own a Tamron 17-50 F2.8 and I feel that it's really a great value lens, sharpness is pretty good as well overall.

The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and the 90mm f2.8 macro are really nice lenses, as is the new 70-200mm f2.8.

so hard to pick, the three zooms mentioned above are all around the same price range

Have you looked at the 70-300 DO lens? It's not much more than the 70-200 f4 IS.

I'd rather get the L rather than the DO, though. Just because the DO's aperture range isn't all that great and it's such an odd duck.

The F4IS is a killer lens in terms of image quality.

after carrying around my lenses all day, that DO is looking mighty light and compact right now.....

Seriously consider the 70-200 F4 L (with our w/o IS). I have the non-IS and it's not a very heavy lens at all to carry around. my friends are usually surprised how light it is and it's MUCH lighter than the F2.8 version (that thing is 3.5lbs i think?). I only find it gets heavy when i'm gripping my cam (50D) with the 70-200, and also my 580 EX II speedlight attached...

IQ is amazing on the F4, especially in the day time or outdoors. Colors just pop out.

The crappy thing is, once you have tasted what an L lens offers, it's tough to go back.... :cry:

It's not tough to go back. It won't even occur to you to use a non-L lens. :)

that's the problem...all i look at are L lenses now... :(

i don't even want to look at the EF-S lenses since Full Frame would be nice down the road...LOL!!!

damn this money-pit called digital slr photography...

My photography professor's favourite saying was: "If you want to make a small fortune in photography, start with a large one."

ya, i'm still lost as to what to get.... honestly, after spending a day out with my kit (it's not even that big), i have a 40D, with a Sigma 10-20, 18-50 f2.8, and a recently re-aquired 50mm f1.8, my shoulder hurts... i can't imagine getting another lens in my collection and carrying it around the whole day.

Get a good backpack-style bag with a nice contoured back support pad. It really helps.

Yes, I used to carry everything in a shoulder bag, crumpler 6 million dollar, but ever since I switched to a backpack, it made carrying my gear much easier.

can someone recommend me a decent marco lens?
and possible to get for less than 600

Yes, Canon 100mm f2.8 USM Macro. Awesome macro lens, and great for potraits too! Should be able to get for ~$600, check around on craigs!

For a good macro lens look at the Tamron 90mm macro. Much less than $600 and its great!