I'm looking for replacement of my Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM. Camera is Canon EOS 700D.
Requirements:
- amateur photograph, especially nature and birds, mostly walking rarely hiding,
- focal length is enough, most of the time using 250mm,
- I found many situations when lens was too dark,
- ex. bird sitting inside tree behind branches, dummy morning, cloudy weather and photographing in bushes,
- budget up to 500$ and I'm in Poland,
Candidates:
- Canon 200mm f/2.8 L II USM
- Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX APO DG OS
- maybe Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 Di
- maybe Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM
Doubts:
- as most of the time I use max zoom of 250mm maybe I should buy prime lens? Will it give much better results than ex. Sigma zoom of similar price?
- do I really need f2.8? Maybe f/4 would be just fine? (Often object fills about 50% of frame),
- is image stabilization compulsory? (Very often I use quick shutter speed because of "quick objects" I photograph),
- will Canon @ 200mm f4 but luxury take better photos than 200mm f5.6 but my actual one?
I'm not very experienced photographer and after reading and watching dozen reviews I feel like all above are great lenses and suitable for me. I will be thankful for some advices!