Chasing a decent but inexpensive zoom

[catalyst]

I'll also chime in favor of the Sigma 70-200 mm f/2.8 HSM.

It is a *fine* lens and can be nicely mated to various TCs while retaining autofocus capabilities. I often use it with the Sigma 2x TC and I've been very happy with that combo.

I like that lens so much that I was seriously drawn to Sigma's 120-300 mm f/2.8 zoom . . .

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

I'll give an endorsement to the Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro. I picked mine up for $350 used and it did a great job until I got my 70-200mm f/2.8 VR. It's also heavy and well built (I like heavy lenses). Before that I had a Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8 AT-X SV that was also a very good lens, especially for the $250 or so they sell for. The SV is a bit older (early '90s), non-D, and a bit lighter. Still produces great images. Neither are at their sharpest at f/2.8 but neither are soft there either. I would pick up one of these well before I considered a slower variable aperature zoom.