Lens Advice Please

Potency

Hello, I'm quite new to SLR and DSLR cameras and bought my first one (Canon 400d) a few months ago. I was using the kit 18-55mm lens and want something that can zoom a bit more. I want to keep the wide angle feature as well, which leads me to believe my best options are :
SIGMA 18-200 mm F/3.5-6.3 DC OS Lens
TAMRON AF 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspheric [IF] Macro Lens
SIGMA 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Zoom Lens
TAMRON Aspherical [IF] MACRO AF 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Lens

Why is the third one, Sigma 18-200mm so cheap? I'd say €400 is the absolute maximum i'd spend. Are Tamron a decent brand? Would there be anything wrong with the 18-250mm? Any help or advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

Ciaran_Dub

I am new to all this aswell but can I ask a question. If you already have the 18-55mm lens why would you want to keep the wide angle option on a zoom lens?

To answer your question yes Tamron seem to be a good name, I will stand corrected in saying that Sigma seem to be a better make. My father has a sigma 70-300 APO DG on a 450D and it takes some nice shots, plus has a macro function on it which is nice to have.

Potency

I see what you mean, its a bit odd but i'm planning on selling or getting rid of my current kit lens so i'll only have to carry one lens rather than multiple lenses.

nilhg

Potency wrote: »

I see what you mean, its a bit odd but i'm planning on selling or getting rid of my current kit lens so i'll only have to carry one lens rather than multiple lenses.

TBH that's not a great idea, two lenses covering a long zoom range are always a better than one, and that's entirely down to the laws of physics, it's not possible to make a 10x zoom lens with the same optical performance as two 3x zooms, my advice is to buy a 70-300 lens, either the canon one or the sigma APO version.

Potency

nilhg wrote: »

TBH that's not a great idea, two lenses covering a long zoom range are always a better than one, and that's entirely down to the laws of physics, it's not possible to make a 10x zoom lens with the same optical performance as two 3x zooms, my advice is to buy a 70-300 lens, either the canon one or the sigma APO version.

Well, i'm not what you'd call a photographer. Mainly the photos would be holiday/family photos with the odd moment where i'll feel the artistic side of me come out. For that reason, i don't really see the need to carry more.

Ciaran_Dub

If thats the case I dont see why you would have a DSLR, why not just have a decent bridge camera or p+s?

Ehh each to their own I suppose.

Potency

So would you have any recommendations for a longer zoom (70-300mm) if I was to get one?
I might just reconsider

Ciaran_Dub

If you are looking for a 70-300 and are on a budget have a look at the Sigma 70-300 APO DG. Makesure its the APO version its the slightly better one I think its about €200. Highly recommneded by quite a few people. Its really not that much extra to carry around with you. Most camera bags will accomodate a telephoto lens attached and then a spare lens along side it.

Stephen

The second Sigma is so much cheaper than the first one because it has no optical stabilisation/vibration reduction/image stabilisation/whatever your vendor calls it this week