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Just wondering if it is better to have one lens covering a specific range of focal lengths or to have a couple of separate lenses that can cover the same range of focal length? I saw canon 28-300 mm/f3.5-6.3 telephoto and was wondering if this is better than say a 28-70 and 70-300mm? Also what is the difference between a regular zoom and telephoto lens?

Thanks

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Personally, I'd prefer to have the two lens arrangement you mentioned...28-70mm & 70-300mm rather than the 28-300mm.

If you don't have room in your bag for the two lenses and/or are on a very tight budget, then the 28-300mm lens is the way to go.

Ususally, the two lens arrangement will provide you with faster lenses. For example: I happen to own the 28-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses. This means that even at their extended range the lenses are still f/2.8. The 28-300mm lens speed would be f/3.5 @ 28mm and 6.3 @ 300mm when wide open. The wider the opening the better control you have on depth of field.

A telephoto lens cannot change focal length; i.e. 135mm has a fixed focal length of 135mm, 210mm has a fixed focal length of 210mm, etc. Obviously a zoom lens can change its focal length; i.e. 70-300mm can range from 70mm to 85mm to 100mm all the way up to 300mm and a variety of focal lengths in-between. Usually, the fixed focal length lenses are faster than telephoto lenses...but not all the time.

Fixed focal length lenses are called "Prime" lenses. 24mm, 28mm, 50mm, 85mm, 105 mm, and so on. Not all "Prime" lenses are telephoto lenses. Telephoto usually starts somewhere around 80mm on up.

The above is just barely scratching the surface but, I hope this helped out.

Terry

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My most used lenses are a 28-80mm (Canon) and 75-300mm (Canon) although as of tonight I just got a 70-200mm Sigma which will probably get used more than either of the other two now. I have only taken a few shots with it but it's obvious the quality is far and above the other two lenses. And the price was right $600 + S&H. Wish I'd have gotten it sooner!

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