Older Kit/Low End Lenses vs Older 3rd Party?

I'm sure you guys are tired of these questions (I know I get tired of them on boating forums), but need some help from those more experienced then myself.

I currently have low end Canon lenses, a 28-90mm 4-5.6 III (off a Rebel K2, $30), and a 75-300mm 4-5.6 III (bought 2nd hand from a fellow amateur photographer, $50). I know that these are probably the cheapest lenses I could have gotten, but it's a wife/budget thing. They give me a good range (albeit the wide end could be wider), and so far, IQ has been acceptable, although I do feel they lack somewhat in that area.

Today I had a box of 'miscellaneous lenses' brought to me, and in it was a Sigma 28-300mm 3.5-6.3 DG. I quickly put it on my body (XT), and went out to see if it worked, and how well. First thing I noticed was how fast it focused in comparison to the other lenses, and that it was quieter. Reviews for this lens are somewhat mixed, and that's where I'm stuck.

The all-in-one is nice, and my gut tells me the 28-300mm will actually outperform the other two as far as IQ, but I'm not sure which is the better route. Can anyone help? (Oh, and I'm be selling whatever isn't kept).

Probably the best thing is to use all three lenses for a while to get experience with each lens and then make a decision later as to which one to give up. There is more to a good lens choice than image quality. Pick the lenses that you enjoy using most.

i think the best thing would be to sell all 3, and pick up an 18-55IS, and 55-250IS...you could pull that off for probably $250...

say $100 for the 75-300mm, $100 for the sigma, and $50 for the 28-90mm...

Uh... Save up and get some better lenses down the line. I liked my brother in laws 18-55 IS kit lens as do others here and he just picked up a 55-250. He is totally content with his set up for now because he had previously been using my 75-300 poo of a lens and when he got his 55-250 he was absolutely stoked.

Otherwise, I Agree with macroimage. Shoot with what you like until you find something better.

By the way... You will never be satisfied with your lens choices. Just as you think you have it all figured out you will be eyeing something else. Lol.

KirkS518 wrote in post #14666671
I currently have low end Canon lenses, a 28-90mm 4-5.6 III (off a Rebel K2, $30), and a 75-300mm 4-5.6 III (bought 2nd hand from a fellow amateur photographer, $50). I know that these are probably the cheapest lenses I could have gotten, but it's a wife/budget thing.

Obviously, it's time to get a new wife.

What other lenses were in this box?

I have that lens for a Nikon film camera and it's not terrible for a superzoom - but that's full-frame where problems are minimized.

I was quite fond of the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 macro when I had it. After moving to full-frame I sold it. But for a rather inexpensive lens it was quite pleasant. What you need to do is set a budget, and as was mentioned perhaps unload some of your current lenses you're not using. Then we could be a lot more helpful to you.

Tony-S wrote in post #14683168
Obviously, it's time to get a new wife.

At 47 (me), that's not gonna happen again, especially since this one has a rockin' bod. She's a personal trainer, and I'm damn lucky to have her on my arm.

Tony-S wrote in post #14683168
What other lenses were in this box?

A few AF Minoltas, a Nikon AF 50mm, couple of off brand manual focus for assorted mounts (Pentax, Yashica, and others). Probably more, but I can't remember. I buy & sell old photo equipment, and boating/fishing stuff to supplement my hobby. That's really what sets my budget.

Tony-S wrote in post #14683168
I have that lens for a Nikon film camera and it's not terrible for a superzoom - but that's full-frame where problems are minimized. I was quite fond of the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 macro when I had it. After moving to full-frame I sold it. But for a rather inexpensive lens it was quite pleasant. What you need to do is set a budget, and as was mentioned perhaps unload some of your current lenses you're not using. Then we could be a lot more helpful to you.

I also have a Sigma 180mm Macro prime, which is sweet. I am saving for other lenses, but there are other things I need (a quality flash for instance), that are priorities. When a lens comes along that is better then what I have, I tend to swap it with one that I can live without or it will replace. For example, I have a Canon 28-70 coming on Tuesday, which albeit isn't an L or the greatest out there, it has reportedly better IQ than what I have now. That I'll be keeping. That was going to replace the kit 28-90, which would certainly be a step in the right direction.

I really want to try to stay with a 300mm, as I find a lot of what I shoot I need/want/like the added reach. I know the 70-200 is an awesome lens, but that's way down the road for me.

KirkS518 wrote in post #14684552
At 47 (me), that's not gonna happen again, especially since this one has a rockin' bod. She's a personal trainer, and I'm damn lucky to have her on my arm.


A few AF Minoltas, a Nikon AF 50mm, couple of off brand manual focus for assorted mounts (Pentax, Yashica, and others). Probably more, but I can't remember. I buy & sell old photo equipment, and boating/fishing stuff to supplement my hobby. That's really what sets my budget.

I also have a Sigma 180mm Macro prime, which is sweet. I am saving for other lenses, but there are other things I need (a quality flash for instance), that are priorities. When a lens comes along that is better then what I have, I tend to swap it with one that I can live without or it will replace. For example, I have a Canon 28-70 coming on Tuesday, which albeit isn't an L or the greatest out there, it has reportedly better IQ than what I have now. That I'll be keeping. That was going to replace the kit 28-90, which would certainly be a step in the right direction.

I really want to try to stay with a 300mm, as I find a lot of what I shoot I need/want/like the added reach. I know the 70-200 is an awesome lens, but that's way down the road for me.

seriously...18-55IS, and 55-250IS...probably can be easily done for all the other lenses you have...and will be the best option out there...250mm vs. 300mm is hardly anything...or just keep getting old out of date film kit lenses, and not gain anything...

Maybe it's time to convince her that she'd look better thru a newer /better lens !

Or time to take the budget back..

Sell it and get A 50 1.8 and a flash