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MichaelT1i · Oct 27, 2009, 10:18 AM

I'm currently in the market for what I have seen on-line refered to as a "vacation lens", i.e. a 18-200mm zoom to replace the 18-55mm kit lens on my Canon T1i.

1.) I'm pretty certain I want to stay at 18mm at the wide angle end

2.) Image quality is very important, but cost is also a factor

With those criteria, 2 lenses appear to potentially meet my needs:

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (~$600)

Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical IF Macro AF (~$600)

Any advice in choosing one over the other? Are there other 18-xxxmm lenses that I should be considering?

Thx.

TCav · Oct 27, 2009, 10:59 AM

What you seem to be referring to is a superzoom lens. Superzoom lenses, in trying to do a lot, end up not doing anything well. If what you want is convenience, a superzoom lens is what you want. If quality is what you want, you'll be disappointed with a superzoom. They all have significant distortion at the wide end, significant chromatic aberration at the long end, and aren't very sharp anywhere in their range.

Both the Canon 18-200 IS and the Tamron 18-270 VC are among the best superzooms available, but neither of them is as good as your 18-55 IS where their ranges overlap.

Hards80 · Oct 27, 2009, 11:04 AM

well, with these kinds of lenses, compromise is the key word. you will give up image quality for convenience. so just keep that in mind from the start.

that said, the tamron 18-270 is probably slightly better. and also better than the sigma offerings, especially on a canon body.

MichaelT1i · Oct 27, 2009, 12:37 PM

Thx. for the comments.

I already own a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and was looking for a superzoom for convienence, but I dont want to take a big hit on image quality... sounds like I may be better off going thru the hassle of switching lenses when the situation call for it.

TCav · Oct 27, 2009, 3:42 PM

If you're just looking for something to suppliment your 18-55 IS when you want to travel light, the Tamron 55-200 is better than a superzoom and it's a lot smaller and a lot lighter than your Canon 70-300 IS USM. It's also cheap: $175 - $40 rebate through the end of the year. It's not stabilized, though.

Hards80 · Oct 27, 2009, 4:17 PM

i would just use the 70-300 IS, its a good tele and worth the little extra weight.

Calicajun · Oct 27, 2009, 8:49 PM

For a good all around, walk around lens the Tramon 18-270mm lens is my pick. Have seen lots of great looking, sharp pictures taken with that lens. Now if you don't mind carry two lenses while on vacation, then the 18-55 f2.8 IS lens is a great lens to have along with your 70-300mm.

MichaelT1i · Oct 28, 2009, 3:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calicajun

Now if you don't mind carry two lenses while on vacation, then the 18-55 f2.8 IS lens is a great lens to have along with your 70-300mm.

I assume you mean the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS?

Calicajun · Oct 28, 2009, 4:45 PM

Yep, that's the one. Yeah, I was only off by one digit.

maggo85 · Oct 29, 2009, 1:54 AM

And what do you people think about the Sigma 18-250 with image stabilisation? Has anybody taken pictures with this lens on a canon?

Oct 27, 2009, 10:18 AM	#1
MichaelT1i Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Orange Co., NY Posts: 40	Advice needed on "vacation lens" I'm currently in the market for what I have seen on-line refered to as a "vacation lens", i.e. a 18-200mm zoom to replace the 18-55mm kit lens on my Canon T1i. 1.) I'm pretty certain I want to stay at 18mm at the wide angle end 2.) Image quality is very important, but cost is also a factor With those criteria, 2 lenses appear to potentially meet my needs: Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (~$600) Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical IF Macro AF (~$600) Any advice in choosing one over the other? Are there other 18-xxxmm lenses that I should be considering? Thx. __________________ Michael Egan Orange Co., NY Canon EOS Rebel T1i http://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_egan

Oct 27, 2009, 10:59 AM	#2
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 6,648	What you seem to be referring to is a superzoom lens. Superzoom lenses, in trying to do a lot, end up not doing anything well. If what you want is convenience, a superzoom lens is what you want. If quality is what you want, you'll be disappointed with a superzoom. They all have significant distortion at the wide end, significant chromatic aberration at the long end, and aren't very sharp anywhere in their range. Both the Canon 18-200 IS and the Tamron 18-270 VC are among the best superzooms available, but neither of them is as good as your 18-55 IS where their ranges overlap. __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'.

Oct 27, 2009, 12:37 PM	#4
MichaelT1i Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Orange Co., NY Posts: 40	Thx. for the comments. I already own a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and was looking for a superzoom for convienence, but I dont want to take a big hit on image quality... sounds like I may be better off going thru the hassle of switching lenses when the situation call for it. __________________ Michael Egan Orange Co., NY Canon EOS Rebel T1i http://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_egan

Oct 27, 2009, 3:42 PM	#5
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 6,648	If you're just looking for something to suppliment your 18-55 IS when you want to travel light, the Tamron 55-200 is better than a superzoom and it's a lot smaller and a lot lighter than your Canon 70-300 IS USM. It's also cheap: $175 - $40 rebate through the end of the year. It's not stabilized, though. __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'.

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Oct 27, 2009, 11:04 AM	#3
Hards80 Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 6,667	well, with these kinds of lenses, compromise is the key word. you will give up image quality for convenience. so just keep that in mind from the start. that said, the tamron 18-270 is probably slightly better. and also better than the sigma offerings, especially on a canon body.

Oct 27, 2009, 4:17 PM	#6
Hards80 Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 6,667	i would just use the 70-300 IS, its a good tele and worth the little extra weight.

Oct 27, 2009, 8:49 PM	#7
Calicajun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Quartz Hill, CA Posts: 1,496	For a good all around, walk around lens the Tramon 18-270mm lens is my pick. Have seen lots of great looking, sharp pictures taken with that lens. Now if you don't mind carry two lenses while on vacation, then the 18-55 f2.8 IS lens is a great lens to have along with your 70-300mm.

Oct 28, 2009, 4:45 PM	#9
Calicajun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Quartz Hill, CA Posts: 1,496	Yep, that's the one. Yeah, I was only off by one digit.

Oct 29, 2009, 1:54 AM	#10
maggo85 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Arzl/Austria/Europe Posts: 517	And what do you people think about the Sigma 18-250 with image stabilisation? Has anybody taken pictures with this lens on a canon?