Reasonably priced mid range zoom lens

[vfilby]

Hi Guys,

Here is my current lens collection (seriously budget) 18-55 efs, 75-300 and the 50 f1.8. I love the fifty, thanks to all that recommend it. In fact I love it so much I try to use it all the time, the sharpness of it really trounces the other two.

But I am free lancing now and I won't always be able to use the fifty, so I want to add a decent mid range zoom lens. The 24-70L is too pricey. I have been looking at the 28-135 IS USM lens. I know it is generally liked here, but I also know some people don't like them. I have heard that tamron makes a good one too.

I am heavily leaning towards the 28-135. Anyone here have any other thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks,

[Jon]

Have you checked out the threads on the Tamron 28-75?

[vfilby]

That's the one I heard about, I'll go look it up.

Thanks

[Belmondo]

Do yourself a favor and look at the Sigma 24-60 f/2.8 lens. It's smaller, lighter, and optically superior to their 24-70. I use it with the Canon 70-300DO lens, and it's a wonderful kit. I can live without the bit between 60 and 70mm.

[vfilby]

will do belmondo. One benefit the 28-135 has is a bit of telephoto. The 75-300 is not a great lens so I could use the 135 end for sharper telephoto photos until I can afford a better tele lens.

I will definitely consider the sigma though.

Thanks,

[minatophase3]

That's the one I heard about, I'll go look it up.

Thanks

Get the Tamron 28-75, you will be very pleased with the quality and the price is very good. It is the lens I use most of the time and I have no complaints other than it's zoom turns in the opposite direction of my 70-200 :shock: .

Tim

[vfilby]

Thanks for your input. I guess what I am really looking for is sharpness. I have seen the lens comparison chart on photodo but I had read mixed reviews.

Can people who own the tamron or the 28-135 tell me how they compare to the 50 f1.8 or the 75-300III? I would also like to know how quiet the focussing mechanism is on the non-canon lenses. (I saw a sigma that sounded like a meat grinder once! brand new in the store).

If this info is available somewhere please tell me.

Thanks again,

[slin100]

The 50/1.8 and 75-300 are two very different lenses. It'll be hard to meaningfully compare any lens to both of these. The 50/1.8 will arguably be quite sharp compared to the 28-135 or 28-75. The 75-300, I'll hazard to guess, will come in last or, at best, be on par with the 28-135.

Not all non-canon lenses sound like meat grinders. Many have the equivalent of USM (Ultra Sonic Motor). Even the Canon 50/1.8 is noisy compared to a USM-equipped lens.

I have a Tamron 28-75 arriving today. I also own the 28-135 and the 50/1.8 Mk I. I'm fully expecting the Tamron to outperform the 28-135 but fall short of the 50.

[vfilby]

The 50/1.8 and 75-300 are two very different lenses. It'll be hard to meaningfully compare any lens to both of these. The 50/1.8 will arguably be quite sharp compared to the 28-135 or 28-75. The 75-300, I'll hazard to guess, will come in last or, at best, be on par with the 28-135.

understood, which is why I state one OR the other. the 50 is pretty sharp and the 75-300 is soft. All I have is the 75-300, the 50 and the 18-55. The 50 is the only *usable* lens that I have.

Not all non-canon lenses sound like meat grinders. Many have the equivalent of USM (Ultra Sonic Motor). Even the Canon 50/1.8 is noisy compared to a USM-equipped lens.

Yes I know, mainly the lower end sigmas and such. But if they don't have the USM equivalent I would like to know.

I have a Tamron 28-75 arriving today. I also own the 28-135 and the 50/1.8 Mk I. I'm fully expecting the Tamron to outperform the 28-135 but fall short of the 50.

please let me know what you think! A 28-75 versus 28-136 comparsion would be wonderful!

Thanks,

[Toogy]

I have been using a Sigma 18-125 for the past few weeks and generally I think it is a pretty good lens. There is slight vignetting at full wide angle, but other than that, it produces some nice sharp contrasty images.

[Hellashot]

I am considering a Sigma 18-125 DC to replace my EF-S 18-55.