Pick my camera lens

[FurnaceFace]

I have recently bought a new dSLR and am looking at buying a new lens but I'm in a quandry as to which one to buy. I am mostly an outdoor photographer but do shoot in all sorts of lighting conditions. I do very little portrait shooting.

I have narrowed down to two lenses:

Tamron 18-250mm Di II Lens Canon

or

Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS lens

My big question is if the Optical Stabilization of the Sigma is worth the extra $130 (and the loss of 50mm).

Appreciate any comments from those who have either lens, those who have the Nikon VR lens, or those who have another similar sized lens with or without stabilization.

Thanks.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

I have recently bought a new dSLR and am looking at buying a new lens but I'm in a quandry as to which one to buy. I am mostly an outdoor photographer but do shoot in all sorts of lighting conditions. I do very little portrait shooting.

I have narrowed down to two lenses:

Tamron 18-250mm Di II Lens Canon

or

Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS lens

My big question is if the Optical Stabilization of the Sigma is worth the extra $130 (and the loss of 50mm).

Appreciate any comments from those who have either lens, those who have the Nikon VR lens, or those who have another similar sized lens with or without stabilization.

Thanks.

Wow,- I wasn't aware of any decent lenses with that wide a range in focal lengths but that looks pretty good.

Good reviews from FM for the Sigma: http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/s...&cat=37&page=1


And for the Tamron as well:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/s...&cat=43&page=1


I guess the magic questions is if the extra 50mm matters to you and what you're shooting. I'd use this as a walkabout replacement (it'd be great for trips overseas) when I don't have my tripod so I'd probably want the IS to help out - Sigma for me.

[jar_e]

What lens do you have already?

[FurnaceFace]

I just bought a camera body, no current lens, so I want one for everything.

(camera is a Canon 400D/Rebel XTi)

I'm used to the ultrazoom prosumer cameras (have a Canon S3 right now, owned a couple Olympus) and want something with similar range as I might then take it on trips instead of the S3. I don't wants 2-3 lenses.

[Fobby]

I wouldn't get a zoom lens with anything greater then 3x optical zoom. but if you are looking for 1 lens fits all, why did you get a dSLR? This in no way, is a personal attack.. it's just a matter of trying to understand the reason for jumping into a dSLR where as you are familiar with what the S3 IS can do.

But to answer your question, between the two, i would get the Sigma... If i have a third canon choice.. i would. but with 10x optical zoom.. you are going to lose some quality in the glass itself.

If I were to look for a walk around lens.... i would look at getting the 17-85 F4 - 5.6 IS. or.. i would first use your kit lens... take it out one day, and shoot what you normally shoot. then you can see if you need more on the short end, or you need more on the long end. That will help you decide on a better lens solution then a 1 lens fits all kinda deal.

you will learn to LOVE IS... especially on the long end. You will not appreciate how much the IS adds until you don't have IS.



Would not be able to take that hand held without IS.

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

I just bought a camera body, no current lens, so I want one for everything.

(camera is a Canon 400D/Rebel XTi)

I'm used to the ultrazoom prosumer cameras (have a Canon S3 right now, owned a couple Olympus) and want something with similar range as I might then take it on trips instead of the S3. I don't wants 2-3 lenses.

The only thing I would be concerned with such a large mm difference is the softness you'll get near each end. Mind you, for the price and not having to buy prime lens', it's a good cover. I would recommend though you pick up a 50mm Canon lens (atleast f/1.8..though if you have the coin, 1.4)...it may not be ideal but the colors and crispness you'll get is something else.