TIPS

USE A 1990s 70-300 (ON M43) FOR YOUR TELE SHOT

This is a super inexpensive way to get a high quality telephoto shot. The key is to get a good 1990s vintage 70-300 and to use it with a Micro Four Thirds (2x crop) sensor that has IBIS.

When you're on a budget and need a good TELE (telephoto) shot, a 70-300 from the 1990s is an excellent choice. It's portable, affordable and common (there's lots of them available on the used market) and that's why I love them! I've tested more than 10 of these (from Sigma, Tamron, Promaster, etc.) and my favorite is one that was made by Tamron but is available as a Tamron, Promaster or Quantaray. All three are optically the same, per my tests. There are a lot of Tamron 70-300 lenses out there, so to help it's not the Di version, but the LD, and then the one with a 1:2 macro (not 1:4 or other). If you look for the Quantaray version, it's not one with the green lettering, or the gold lettering (it has white lettering with just a little gold) and it is identical to the Tamron except for the name. The Promaster (also a 1:2 macro) that has matching optics has a different rubber grip, but my tests indicate it is identical optically. All three of these ARE PARFOCAL, which is excellent. Most of the Sigma versions I tested of that vintage are not very good, but the older (first generation AF) all-metal versions can be pretty good. Also, this tip works best on a Micro Four Thirds body (for maximum telephoto reach) and with a body that has good IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization).