good zoom lens value?

I'm looking for a good zoom lens with a large focal range (like the Tamron 18-270). i know you lose some sharpness with these lens, but i'm looking for the versatilty it offers. has to be under 500 and preferabley under 350. i'm mainly looking for the most bang for your buck. like to me, the Tamron 18-250 seems to be a better value than the 18-270, but i really don't know. any ideas? i'm completely new to this and really don't know what to look for.

canon 70-200f4. i think you can find them used for 500-550 shipped


oops i missed the part about wanting all the way down to 18mm. i say get the 70-200 anyway and just move backwards

S2K.OGRAPHY wrote in post #10260609
canon 70-200f4. i think you can find them used for 500-550 shipped


oops i missed the part about wanting all the way down to 18mm. i say get the 70-200 anyway and just move backwards

The not lens the OP is looking for.

I have the 18-270 and for me its worth every penny. VC is incredibly good. I use this lens pretty much just for vacation. Sharpness for some family/friend snapshots is good enough. Lightweight enough that its not a burden to carry it walking around all day. Never used the 18-250 so I can't compare it to that one. I did try out the Canon 18-200. While focus is probably twice as fast as the Tamron but tammy give that extra reach and overall IQ is at least on par if not better.

like above.... Tamron 18-270mm it's a nice glass... if you have any local photo-store available go and try them...

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS for $499.95, refurbished, at Adorama. I like the idea of saving nearly 20% on a lens. I purchased the described lens and a 24-105, refurbished/demo. Both looked and worked as if new.

The 18-200 is not perfect but it is much better than the "pixel peepers" would have you believe. It is what it is, a family/travel lens that is about as good as a one-lens-does-it-all can be and still be affordable for many consumers. Mine auto focused fast enough on race horses coming at me traveling at 30-35 mph.The 200mm length is great for outside, family photos.
http://www.adorama.com​/CA18200AFR.html

Adorama also has the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, refurbished, for $369.95. I don't know anything about it. A little short for what you want but still a possibility.
http://www.adorama.com​/CA18135ISR.html

thanks guys! that's the kind of info i'm looking for. i just want a lens i can use with good zoom without changing lens a lot. right now i only have an 18-55 and a 50mm. i just want something with more reach for hiking and vacation when i don't want to change lens a lot or don't want to carry an extra lens. i'm testing out an old canon 70-300 now and even though i like the reach, i don't think the 70mm is practical enough for me.

You can also try 55-250mm. Has a good IQ and really cheap, can find them for less than between 175-230 on ebay and craiglists.

Amazon has the 70-200mm L F/4 for 590+, better priced than buying second hand for 500..but i don't have this lens so I can't say how good it is...

mikerosal wrote in post #10262176
You can also try 55-250mm. Has a good IQ and really cheap, can find them for less than between 175-230 on ebay and craiglists.

Amazon has the 70-200mm L F/4 for 590+, better priced than buying second hand for 500..but i don't have this lens so I can't say how good it is...

The 70-200 F4L is one nice lens, probably the best bang-for-the-buck L out there.

If you decide against an all in one lens the 18-55IS 55-250IS combo is great and, especially if you go used, won't hurt you too much financially.

I have the 55-250 IS, the Tamron 18-270 VC and the 70-200/4 non IS.

The 55-250 is a great value lens, but at this point it is in the closet. The Tamron is just as good or better, imo, as well as longer and wider. The 70-200 is in another league. I use it for sports or events, but go back to the Tamron for a do it all solution, depending on the useage occasion. Tamron is shorter and lighter than the 70-200; 55-250 is much more so.

I agree with lonelyjew's post. If you are more committed to budget than convenience of a single lens the 18-55 IS / 55-250 IS combo is pretty tought to beat. You might be able to squeeze them in at $350 used.

mpix345 wrote in post #10262266
I agree with lonelyjew's post. If you are more committed to budget than convenience of a single lens the 18-55 IS / 55-250 IS combo is pretty tought to beat. You might be able to squeeze them in at $350 used.

the Tamron 18-270 gets good ratings for optical quality but if you want the "best bang for the buck" get the $199 (free shipping) Canon 55-250IS
http://www.adorama.com …ductPage/CA5525​0AFSR.html

I had the 18-270 for almost a year and liked it alot. I only used it on vacation and zoos. I rarely use the long end and I picked up a 55-250 from Fry's for $149 so I recently sold it to fund better glass. Now I'm waiting for the sigma 17-50 or the canon 15-85

i've been thinking about the 19-55 55-250 combo. a friend has that and likes it, except he took it to a basketball game once and got upgraded to court side seats and was too close for his 55-250. plus i like to take a lot of beach pictures. my 18-55 did a great job, but there were a couple shots i would have liked to have had more zoom, but there is no way i'm taking my lens off on the beach. so i'm not sure what to do.

i found the tamron 18-270 for for a little under 500 a couple days ago, but i don't know if the deal is still good. the tamron 18-250 is 299 new on amazon and the tamron 18-200 is 230 new on amazon. i just can't decide if the step ups are worth the extra money and didn't know if i should even consider these lens or move to canon or sigma or some other brand. or if i should just not waste my money on any of these types of zoom lens.

tdogg21 wrote in post #10263005
... or if i should just not waste my money on any of these types of zoom lens.

well if you are foremost committed to convenience - the all in ones are the answer