General Purpose Zoom Lense

[dehrle]

Anyone,

I have a 10D with the 50mm 1.8 lense. I am looking for a general purpose zoom. $s are an issue. I want to keep it under $350, preferably under $300.

My wife will use the camera and is not one to change lenses. My daughter shows horses (dressage). In reading the reviews I get mixed information.

The Tokina 24-200 in several reviews is near L quality with fast AF. Some users report this also, but some report very poor optics.

The Sigma 28-300 Compact 4-6.3 (note: there are two versions). Has according to one review has considerable optic improvement. The lense is said to be better than the Sigma 28-200 Compact. All the other reviews seem to be on the older model. But is the AF on this lense very slow?

Only other choice seems to be Canon 28-134 IS. But it is high priced, limited zoom, and optics from the review to seem to be as good. I do like the IS.

I am trying to find somewere close to look at and use the above lenses.

Suggestions!!!!!!!!

[iwatkins]

I have the Sigma 28-300 Hyperzoom Compact and it covers most of my zoom work very well.

It gives very good results and the AF is fast compared to my older Sigma lenses.

Cheers

Ian

[DonCoon]

I can't find a reference to a 4-6.3mm model anywhere including Sigma's site.

Do you mean the 3.5-6.3 ?

[dehrle]

NEW COMPACT HYPERZOOM 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 ASPHERICAL is the lense and thanks for the correction on F range(not 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 DL Aspherical IF Hyperzoom).

This is the least expensive of the three lense I listed (would consider others), and may be my best bet (I hope this is not a significant gamble).

Your input is welcome and desired.

[CyberDyneSystems]

dehrle wrote:
NEW COMPACT HYPERZOOM 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 ASPHERICAL is the lense and thanks for the correction on F range(not 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 DL Aspherical IF Hyperzoom).

(I hope this is not a significant gamble).

Your input is welcome and desired.

I own this lens and enjoy it as a genral purpose handy lens,.. but it IS a gamble. I have had good results with mine,. but many others have found the image quality lacking. I will say this,. I use mine and know I am compromising when I use it. I have five other lenses to compare it too directly and it gives the least quality images. (other than the 50 f/1.8 it is also a fair amount less expensive than those other lenses though)

It will give you images better than most Digicams when used on a 10D,. but it will not give you images on par with the better lenses on the 10D.

Don't get me wrong,. you can get very good results from it,. but you can not expect a $230.00 lens that overs 28-300mm to compare with superior optics.

Another compromise its it's size! Having 300mm availble in such small package can be very handy! Especially if you are a birder. But it also has it's drawbacks. Using that compact 300mm is very difficult. If you are in the habit of using a tripod it is not so much an issue but hean held 300mm in so lite a package can be hard to get a good sharp image.

[scollins]

Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM Autofocus Lens
Price $ 329.95 Imported

This is from the B&H website. The USA lens is $359. I know it a little over the budget you stated, but I've been very pleased with the results I've seen. I don't think it's as compact as the others, but the little difference in size is worth it.

This was taken with a Canon 28-200 lens. It's been run through pshop with a little usm applied.

http://www.seattlesteve.com/jordan.jpg

[bluebomberx]

I'm a fan of Canon's EF 28-105 f/3.5-f/4.5 USM. I bought mine used at B&H for $180. It's a great consumer zoom.

A few shots from this lens can be found at the following links:


At f/5.6 (http://www.phototalk.net/photos/showphoto.php?photo=20490&password=&sort=2&thecat=500)
At f/11 (http://www.phototalk.net/photos/showphoto.php?photo=20385&password=&sort=2&thecat=500)
At f/16 (http://www.phototalk.net/photos/showphoto.php?photo=18631&password=&sort=2&thecat=500)

[dehrle]

All,
Well I stopped by a BestBuy and Fry's to look at there lenses (expensive compared to B&H). The only lense in my list they had was the Canon 28-135 IS. I now think that I want at least 200mm at the upper end. The reason for my choosing:
1. Canon 28-135 IS
2. Tokina 24-200
3. Sigma 28-300 Compact
was that there lense quality was average to good (compared favorably to the Canon 35-350 L).

Bottom line is that I now have two lenses on my list:
* Tokina 24-200
* Sigma 28-300 Compact

I am leaning toward the Sigma - any reason to still consider the Tokina?

[tony723]

dehrle wrote:
All,
Well I stopped by a BestBuy and Fry's to look at there lenses (expensive compared to B&H). The only lense in my list they had was the Canon 28-135 IS. I now think that I want at least 200mm at the upper end. The reason for my choosing:
1. Canon 28-135 IS
2. Tokina 24-200
3. Sigma 28-300 Compact
was that there lense quality was average to good (compared favorably to the Canon 35-350 L).

Bottom line is that I now have two lenses on my list:
* Tokina 24-200
* Sigma 28-300 Compact

I am leaning toward the Sigma - any reason to still consider the Tokina?


Will you consider Tamron 28-200 and 28-300 as well?

[dehrle]

Yes, I am open to considering Tamron 28-200 and 28-300. However, I have not seen any reports that classify their quality of optics near the other two lenses. Give me some data and I will consider them.

[okteh18]

I use a Tamron 28-300mm on my Canon 300D but I'm afraid i'm not impressed with the results at all. BUT the results when used with my EOS 33 is excellent so I really don't know why it (the lens) behave like that. I have contact Canon about it and was told that it is not advisable to use 3rd party lens on Canon dSLR.

[tony723]

okteh18 wrote:
I use a Tamron 28-300mm on my Canon 300D but I'm afraid i'm not impressed with the results at all. BUT the results when used with my EOS 33 is excellent so I really don't know why it (the lens) behave like that. I have contact Canon about it and was told that it is not advisable to use 3rd party lens on Canon dSLR.
I guess for DSLR, there are some difference from normal SLR. I also heard that some Canon 10D users have same comments of you of the compatibility issue. However the result varies and some got very good results.

[DaveG]

scollins wrote:
Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM Autofocus Lens
Price $ 329.95 Imported

This is from the B&H website. The USA lens is $359. I know it a little over the budget you stated, but I've been very pleased with the results I've seen. I don't think it's as compact as the others, but the little difference in size is worth it.

This was taken with a Canon 28-200 lens. It's been run through pshop with a little usm applied.

http://www.seattlesteve.com/jordan.jpg

"... a little usm applied."

I think that I speak for many when I say, "Eh?"

[Andy_T]

DaveG wrote:
"... a little usm applied."

I think that I speak for many when I say, "Eh?"


Un-Sharp-Mask?

[JoeTampa]

Yes, Unsharp Mask. Contrary to what the name seems to indicate, it sharpens. :)

I, too, have the Canon 28-200. It is my workhorse lens, and stays on the 10d unless I need either the Canon "Nifty Fifty" - 50mm f/1.8 or the Tamaron 19-35.

[dehrle]

All,

After reading this and other forums I have purchased the Tokina 24-200 from Adorama (best price). I should receive it in two weeks (they are on holiday).

Much Thanks to everyone!!

[DaveG]

andythaler wrote:
DaveG wrote:
"... a little usm applied."

I think that I speak for many when I say, "Eh?"


Un-Sharp-Mask?

Ah, I understand. I just couldn't figure out how a little Ultra Sonic Motor - the more common use for the abreviation USM in Canon land - would help.

[mwinog2777]

JoeTampa wrote:
Yes, Unsharp Mask. Contrary to what the name seems to indicate, it sharpens. :)

I, too, have the Canon 28-200. It is my workhorse lens, and stays on the 10d unless I need either the Canon "Nifty Fifty" - 50mm f/1.8 or the Tamaron 19-35.




I just love my Tamron 28-200, and use this relatively inexpensive lens as a general purpose zoom. But what I do is keep my "nifty-50" 1.8 on at all times, except when i definitely need a zoom.

[tony723]

I found some sample photos using 300D with new Sigma 28-300mm macro len. But the image is a little bit soft:

http://www.pbase.com/taneks/first_samples

[Malaxos1]

I bought a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 lens and I am very impressed. I will up load an image a little later.

[Malaxos1]

Here is link to some of the photos I was talking about. I took these today. I also used photoshop to soften the images and to bring focus to the eyes...Dean




Malaxos1 wrote:
I bought a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 lens and I am very impressed. I will up load an image a little later.