which zoom?

[Mahsleb]

Hi All
I'm buying an EOS 350d but my budget will only allow
for a basic zoom lens for the time being!
Question is which one?

EF 75-300 f4-5.6 usm or EF 100-300 f4-5.6 usm?
or
Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 APO Macro DG or 28-300 f3.5-6.3 DG Macro?
or
Tamron AF 28-300 XR Di LD Macro? or AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2

I like the idea of macro but not if it means losing quality
and my instinct tells me to stay with Canon!
Any advice,opinions or experience with any of these, or any other lenses
would be very much appreciated
Also I'd like to add a teleconverter later but not sure which lenses
will work with one?
Thanks for any help
tony

[mike from ebbw]

Hi Mahsleb.I am using a 300d body and have had some really decent pics with the ef 75-300mm (see my gallery).I have also used it with the cheaper kenko 1.5x converter with some success.I have recently bought the sigma 135-400mm APO lens which is turning out to be a cracker.It was only £100 as well!The red kite pic below was taken with the ef 75-300mm and the nuthatch with the sigma 135 -400mm.Hope this is of some help.Mike.

[Mahsleb]

Hi Mahsleb.I am using a 300d body and have had some really decent pics with the ef 75-300mm (see my gallery).I have also used it with the cheaper kenko 1.5x converter with some success.I have recently bought the sigma 135-400mm APO lens which is turning out to be a cracker.It was only £100 as well!The red kite pic below was taken with the ef 75-300mm and the nuthatch with the sigma 135 -400mm.Hope this is of some help.Mike.

Thanks Mike,
There are some great photographs in your gallery!
Inspiration indeed!!
Oh and let me know when you're selling that Sigma would you?
Thirdhand ...should be less than fifty quid I reckon hehe
Cheers
tony B (:

[macshark]

Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 APO Macro DG is probably the most recommended answer for this question, but Canon EF 90-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM, despite the cheap build, is known to have decent optics.

[Steve Babbs]

I find the sigma excellent for its very cheap price, it is an ideal all round lens. It's macro facility is excellent. Of course it doesn't really have enough 'reach' for birds.

Steve