Hey, I don't want this to come across as mean, because it really isn't intended as such.  It is more frustration.  When you ask us about a lens that you would like, PLEASE give us a price range.  YOU will get better answers.  It saves the persons who take time to answer you a huge amount of time if they know that when you say "affordable" you mean under $300.  That might be dinner for another person.  If you give a price range, then the people who are inclined to help can spend less time telling you about lenses that are not in your price range, and it saves everyone time.  You and them.

My first inclination is to avoid these threads when a price range isn't included, but almost no one does it - so that is counter productive.  But I have decided not to make suggestions for lenses in threads where a price range isn't included, but instead ASK what the price range is and then I'll post.  The reason being is that it takes too much time to list all the options and then find out the OP had a $100 lens in mind.  

I also mention this because I suspect that there are other very knowledgable people out there that avoid these threads for that same reason, and if we could be sure to include this info, it would probably draw more people into the discussion and improve the value of the recommendations to you on the forum.

And this would apply to lenses, flashes, bodies and just about everything that you might ask about.

So...

1.  What is it you want suggestions on?

2.  What is your intended use?

3.  What is your budget?

 

I remember when I bought my first lens for my film camera a few years ago...the 50mm 1.8...It almost killed me to spend $75 on a lens!  So my definition of affordable has change quite a bit since then (mostly because of my seriousness about photography, not necessarily money situation)...so Tom, yes, I can see your point and your input is always appreciated.  Affordable definitely can mean completely different things to different people depending on a hundred reasons.

Agree with Tom's suggestions 100% AND I'd also suggest that you add what brand camera you have in your topic - ex. "Lenses for Canon" or "Lenses for Nikon".  Often, I may read a post, only to find that I can't really answer since I am not familiar with lenses for a specific brand.  I can tell you from memory lots about Canon, but don't really know the Nikon equivalents, for example.  With so many posts, sometimes I miss those I might otherwise answer.

affordable is:

Just 1 less vacation or do I need that lens, strobe, body... what ever Just have to weight the needs of the equipment and evaluate is it just a VERY expensive hobby or do I need this to make $$$.

 We all buy things that may not be in the budget but, no one can evaluate someone elses buget of needs of equipment. Hell if I just looked at if I can afford this now. I probaby would not have any photo equipment. I know the strobes I just dumped a grand on was not in the budget but I they were needed to shot the things I want to start shoting.

 

Sorry just me rambling on

Great idea!  I'll be your first test case!  I would love a decent zoom lens for my Canon 20D.  Something in the 70-200,300 range.  This will mostly be used for outdoor shots of kids and boats etc. during the day, mostly around my beach house.  It will be subject to salt, sand and wind; in addition to carloads of over-sugared, sunburned, dehydrated, ill manered children of all ages and a phycho dog, In fact it's only hope of lasting more than a few months is the reality that I probably will forget to use it most of the time.  Is there anything decent around for say, less than $700ish? All recommendations appreciated.  Thanks guys!

for outdoors beach and plenty of sun this should be good Sigma Zoom Telephoto 170-500mm f/5-6.3

it's a tad slow but definatly good for outdoors and boat shots.

Here ya go Shannon -

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=8454&A=details&Q=&sku=397663&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Canon, Ultra Sonic Motor (USM), Image Stabilized, (IS) 70-300. Slow (4-5.6) but great for outdoors. $549 

 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=8454&A=details&Q=&sku=183198&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Canon L Series (sealed!), 4.0, 70-200. $557 USA. Winner to me! (No Image stabilization though - but it does have USM)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=8454&A=details&Q=&sku=435163&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Sigma 70-200 2.8 - built like a tank. HSM (Hyper Sonic motor - like USM)  More than you wanted to go, but a great lens for the price: $889

Hope this helps!

Shan 

 

shannone:

Great idea!  I'll be your first test case!  I would love a decent zoom lens for my Canon 20D.  Something in the 70-200,300 range.  This will mostly be used for outdoor shots of kids and boats etc. during the day, mostly around my beach house.  It will be subject to salt, sand and wind; in addition to carloads of over-sugared, sunburned, dehydrated, ill manered children of all ages and a phycho dog, In fact it's only hope of lasting more than a few months is the reality that I probably will forget to use it most of the time.  Is there anything decent around for say, less than $700ish? All recommendations appreciated.  Thanks guys!

That's easy.  The 70-200 f/4 L.  For under $600 with money left over.  If you can swing it, the IS version is around $1,000.00.

Fred Miranda Review of the 70-200 f/4 L

BH Photo Pricing on 70-200 f/4 L