I am in the market for some new lenses for my DSLR. I have been using the Canon 18-200 IS USM kit lens for the last 15 months and want to start building a bit of a lens collection.

I have a nifty fifty on the list and would also like a macro lens too (my kit lens doesn’t get quite close enough, it focuses at 1.3ft I think). I mostly do landscape and animal work. I have seen a second hand 100-300mm USM for £120 which I am interested in. Some reviews say it is optically as good as the L series lens.

Is it worth paying extra and going for the Canon L series lenses? I only have a 50D so would it be pretty pointless looking at the L lenses? What about other brands such as Tamron and Sigma?

Thanks

If I were you I’d lose the 18-200 and get a narrower range zoom and the 100-300mm

I’d rule out any lens that isn’t stabilised, unless you’re happy with a tripod. Tamron and Sigma are worth looking at. Not sure if Tokina do stabilised zooms? Worth checking.