decent 24-200mm lens

[Aschlaman@comcast.net]

I guess this is a twompart question. The first is this. My wife and I are going to go either to Florida or Texas later this year when the birds are migrating. I plan to take my 20D with my 17-40mmF4L, my flash and my 400mm f5.6. I want another lens to fill the gap between the lenses. I would like to get a lens in the 24-200mm range. I would like reasonably sharp without breaking the bank. Any suggestions?
The second part is what do people do when they have all of this expensive eqiupment and you want to go snorkeling. We have been talking about going to Mexico or Coasta Rica in a couple of years. Can some one please tell me what they have done?

Thanks
Art Schlaman

[braduardo]

I guess this is a twompart question. The first is this. My wife and I are going to go either to Florida or Texas later this year when the birds are migrating. I plan to take my 20D with my 17-40mmF4L, my flash and my 400mm f5.6. I want another lens to fill the gap between the lenses. I would like to get a lens in the 24-200mm range. I would like reasonably sharp without breaking the bank. Any suggestions?
The second part is what do people do when they have all of this expensive eqiupment and you want to go snorkeling. We have been talking about going to Mexico or Coasta Rica in a couple of years. Can some one please tell me what they have done?

Thanks
Art Schlaman

I don't know about the first part, but I have looked at the underwater housings for DSLR cameras. If you are not wanting to break the bank, but are still willing to spend a fair chunk to shoot underwater, check out a P&S with some bells and whistles, and get a housing for it. Sometimes you can find both at a Best Buy on clearance. That way you have another decent quality camera too. Otherwise, you can always go for the underwater disposable cameras, and make sure to get a CD when you get the prints.

Underwater housings for DSLR are REALLY expensive, but if it's something that you are going to use very often it could be worth it. Check B&H photo to get some price ideas.

[Layston]

I have the Tokina 24-200 and I like it a lot for a walk around lens. It even stays on the camera a lot in my tiny apartment, but it is not the sharpest of lenses, beats the heck out of the cheap 55-200 I bought when I first had my XT. I would say that its on par if not slightly better than the 18-55 kit lens, which people say is really pretty good for what it is.

I did a lot of research before I got my Tokina 24-200 and really thought about it vs the Tamron and Sigma 18-200s, but my decision came down to five factors:
1. The Tokina was cheaper.
2. It will work on FF cams (like my Elan II)
3. It seemed on par with the Sig and Tam 18-200 lenses.
4. Its heavy and metal and built like a tank.
5. Its parifocal (I think that's the term) which means once you set your focus you can zoom in or out whithout needing to refocus. In practiicality, I find minor refocusing is necessary.

Hope that helps.

[cjm]

Well there is always the 28-135 IS lens. It will cover the gap pretty well. Then the obvious 70-200mm L option. Or if you want to retro you could track down a 28-80mm f2.8-4 L for around $500 bucks. If you have unlimited money you could go for the expensive 24-105 or 24-70 L's also.