What zoom for a Canon 60d

[godalejunior]

We just bought the camera and would like a nice zoom for taking pics in Alaska and Yellowstone. What would you recommend? We are wanting to spend around $1000. Thanks.

 

[bob100]

We just bought the camera and would like a nice zoom for taking pics in Alaska and Yellowstone. What would you recommend? We are wanting to spend around $1000. Thanks.

what lens do you currently own?
If you're looking at longer focal lengths the Canon 100-400 L is good for wildlife, around $1,100 used

 

[Frantasmic]

70-200mm f4.0
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-200mm-f-4.0-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

100-400mm f4.5-5.6
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-100-400mm-f-4.5-5.6-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

200mm f2.8
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-200mm-f-2.8-L-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

300mm f4.0
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-300mm-f-4.0-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Any of these would be good and would fit your budget either new or slightly used. Another option is to combine the 200 f2.8 with a 1.4 or 2.0 extender (that would be about $1000 all new). A good place to find used lenses is Adorama, B and H, KEH, or check out websites that let you rent lenses. They usually have some copies for sale that are in decent shape.

 

[godalejunior]

what lens do you currently own?
If you're looking at longer focal lengths the Canon 100-400 L is good for wildlife, around $1,100 used

We just bought a Canon bundle and it has the small lens and then the 100-250.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

The kit lens (18-55) + the zoom (55-250) you have in your bag will cover a lot for you. The 100-400 is nice addition (I really want that one too).

Consider (just to throw a wrinkle to a question you didn't ask) looking at an ultra wide angle lens. You're going up to Alaska with some really impressive vistas, and an ultra wide might be a nice addition to your kit.

Also.....if you are only going to use this big zoom once........consider renting the lens for your cruise. www.borrowlenses.com (a site I've used) and http://www.lensrentals.com (a place that gets high marks as well) will rent you the really big gear like the

Canon 400mm f/2.8 IS
Canon 500mm f/4.0

etc.

yes, you won't own the lens after the trip, but if you are only going to use it on this one trip, it might make an option that makes sense. I rented the 400 f/2.8 to shoot a couple of High School football games two years ago and it was awesome.

 

[bob100]

The kit lens (18-55) + the zoom (55-250) you have in your bag will cover a lot for you. The 100-400 is nice addition (I really want that one too).

Consider (just to throw a wrinkle to a question you didn't ask) looking at an ultra wide angle lens. You're going up to Alaska with some really impressive vistas, and an ultra wide might be a nice addition to your kit.

Also.....if you are only going to use this big zoom once........consider renting the lens for your cruise. www.borrowlenses.com (a site I've used) and http://www.lensrentals.com (a place that gets high marks as well) will rent you the really big gear like the

Canon 400mm f/2.8 IS
Canon 500mm f/4.0
etc.
yes, you won't own the lens after the trip, but if you are only going to use it on this one trip, it might make an option that makes sense. I rented the 400 f/2.8 to shoot a couple of High School football games two years ago and it was awesome.

I agree, the 55-250IS and 18-55IS will cover many situations. If you like taking pics of wildlife then a longer zoom like the 100-400 will help. If you like landscapes a wide zoom like the Tokina 11-16 or Canon 10-22 is better.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

The only other consideration would be to maybe look at the 50mm f/1.8 for an Alaskan trip. I would imagine that the sunsets and the aurora borealis are quite amazin. Since the lens only costs $100, getting a piece of really fast glass for low light would seem like a good choice.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

We just bought the camera and would like a nice zoom for taking pics in Alaska and Yellowstone. What would you recommend? We are wanting to spend around $1000. Thanks.

BTW, how are you liking the 60D? Looking to upgrade my 300D and while I dream of the 7D, I imagine that the 60D is going to be more in price range.