Any good comparisons between a Canon 55-250 IS and the Tamron 28-300 VC lenses?

I'm looking for a couple lenses to put on my new Canon 40D. I just ordered the camera yesterday. It's my first D-SLR.

My photography subjects are primarily outdoors, for travel and baseball. And to be honest, it's not very frequent that I engage in these activities. It's just for fun and hobby, for my own personal use and memories. Would like to be budget-minded, so L series glass is not a good choice for me. I'm basically looking for the best image quality, yet still fairly lightweight and portable. The Tamron is a lot more expensive, but I still think it's a fair price for the range of the lens.

I would probably pair one of those two lenses with a Canon 18-55 IS or a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. Again, the Tamron is pricier, but not outrageously so. I wonder, though, if the cheaper kit lens will serve my purpose just as well for mainly outdoor use.

Down the road, I was also considering maybe an 85 f/1.8 for mostly the sports shots. Not sure if that is a sensible application for that lens. It is just in the back of my mind and not on my immediate shopping list.

Just looking for comments/advice. Thanks in advance!

Sandi

I can't help with the comparison, but I do have the 55-250. We just got back from our family vacation in the Outer Banks, and this lens was on the camera 90% of the time. It's really lightweight and gives good results. I also use it to shoot dog agility. Outdoors in good light it performs very well for action shots. I've paired it with a Tamron 28-75 (on my Rebel XTi) and am very happy with the combination.

Thanks, Ceegee, for the 55-250 endorsement. Does anyone have any comments about the Tamron 28-300 lens?

Thanks in advance,
Sandi

idnas71 wrote in post #5989053
I would probably pair one of those two lenses with a Canon 18-55 IS or a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

Sandi, if you are matching the new tele lens with one of the above, go with the 55-250 IS.

If you are looking for a real nice 1-2 combo that is the lightest in weight and lowest in price, yet with still good IQ, get the 1855 IS and 55250 IS. If you want to spend more for the constant f2.8 of the Tamron 1750, then it will go nicely with the 55250 IS. I think for what you want to do, go with the Canon 1-2 combo (or even the all-in-one Sigma 18-200 OS, which is my pick for best all-in-one for APS-C). Enjoy.