28-300 lens. which one is the best?

[lordprodigy]

Hello, I am fairly new to the digital SLR scene. Just bought a rebel and I am looking for a nice 28-300 lens. I know there is few manufacturers that have it but I dont know which one is the best (price / quality ratio). Can anyone give me any professional advice.

[tim]

Lenses with such a huge range generally don't do as good a job as 2-3 lenses to cover the same range, and typically get bad reviews. The only advantage of the 28-300 lenses is you only need one, which is great for a walkabout lens. Do a search, people were talking about this a few days ago.

My solution was to get a Tamron 28-75 lens for $375 or so, and a Sigma 70-300 APO Macro II for $209.

[gramps]

if you can afford it the Canon 28 - 300 L with IS might be the way to go. When Tamron came out with their 28 - 300 XR Di I grabbed the first one I could.......and returned it the next day!!!!

here is a link to the Canon lens
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0401/04012901canon28300is.asp
and some reviews
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=217&sort=7&thecat=27

[CyberDyneSystems]

I do not think there is such a thing as a "nice" 28-300mm (except for the "L" maybe)

I'd say the Sigma and Tamron run roughly neck and neck.

[lordprodigy]

thank you for your replies. I need a lens that covers the wide range for traveling purposes. I understand that there is a quality compromise for that kind of lens but for me mobility and compactness is a key. Therefore I would like to know which one of that family lenses is best for its price. Thank you.

[tim]

Here's a few links for you.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=31482
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29182
(have a poke around here) http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showgallery.php?cat=29
(sigma reviews) http://www.photographyreview.com/pscLenses/35mm,Zoom/PLS_3128_830crx.aspx
(tamron reviews) http://www.photographyreview.com/pscLenses/35mm,Zoom/PLS_3128_840crx.aspx

[lordprodigy]

I will look into the links. thanks.

[ron chappel]

I've had some experience with the 28-300 XR (not the Di version)
and the sigma 28-300 (non macro ,with the red ring)

They are pretty much equal to ,or allmost as good as, a cheap lens set such as 28-80 + 75-300 .My test results varied abit-i didn't have time to do thorough tests either as i didn't own either of them long

Possibly the better is the tamron
Unless you go for the unbelievably expensive canon L zoom which is VERY good 8)


Overall i never was really satisfied with the results of these kind of lenses,they were good but not quite good enough which got frustrating after awhile.
I'd recommend a reasonable kit lens set instead-something like the canon 28-105 & 100-300 are a good step up in image quality
but do acknowledge that a single lens is sooo handy and fuss free at times :)

[jyrgen]

Tokina 24-200.

[ron chappel]

The tokina is an interesting one.Very well built and it gets abit of praise in a writup on photozone.de.
But that's the only opinion i've ever seen on the lens-everyone on the web seems to be quoting this test when recommending it.I wouldn't go by one persons opinion! :shock:
Does anyone know of any other writups/tests of this model lens on the net?