Long lens for 30D

[denno75uk]

I have searched the forums and found some advice on this subject but, anyway....
That dreaded lens bug is nibbling away since I got my 30D. Got the kit lens and had a 28-105 USM II already and they are in my bag full time. The kit lens will do fine for now as far as wide end goes but need something a bit longer than 105mm. I have a 75-300 USM III to trade/sell as it just doesn't have a wide enough aperture to be useful hand held which is how I want to use it. Also, despite stopping down a bit and using a tripod, I just can't seem to get it as sharp as I'd like.
Ideally I would like something 'all-round' but accept the limits of those types of lenses so I'll keep the kit lens and 28-105 but need recommendations for replacing the 300.
Bearing in mind my issues with the Canon 75-300 4-5.6 USM III I have, what are my options for improving on this for around £300? Is this figure unreasonable to get something to fit my criteria? On a APS-C, is 200mm enough for wildlife photography?

[Astaroth]

Given you have a 300mm zoom you should be able to go out an limit yourself to only going up to 200mm and see if it is enough for you.

Personally I find that 300mm is too short even on a 1.6x crop factor camera for my tastes which is why I would want to ideally go up to 400mm or more (and possibly a 1.4x teleconvertor)

[Matty777]

IMO be best to save you £'s up and get a Canon 100-400mm. They go for about £800 secondhand.

Or maybe a 70-200mm 2.8 and a tele-converter. IS is big money £1000+ so look for a secondhand Non IS (£500-600)

Lots of good deals can be had on POTN http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php Good Canon resource site.

(Mods sorry if the link has broken any rule, scrach it if I have )

[tyefi]

Depends what you mean by wildlife... i've gotten stuff with the 70-200 but find the 400mm is typically required.

[Johndm]

Canon 100-400L Series.

You won't ever want to take it off the camera...

Expensive yes, but worth every penny. If you want quality, then it will cost.
You have a semi pro body, you need to put quality pro glass on it to use your camera to its full potential.
Same principle as AV, if you put rubbish in, you'll get rubbish out..