[gd1418]

My friend had 350D with the 17-200 and used it as stock but faced problems of vibrations; though he has a steady hand. Recently hived it off and got a 40D with a 17-85 EF lens with USM (quiet operation) motor and a built-in IS. By itself, the kit lens is super-sharp and great for mid-zoom subjects, but would require a lareger tele soon.

I'll have to check with him on the Sigma/Tamron front..

Originally Posted by given2fly

Post the requirement (travel, portrait, bird photography or just general purpose) and we sure can help you decide.

PS : Have you considered Sigma / Tamron 18-200 lenses.

[navin]

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

The sigma and tamron 18-200 are crappy lenses. I'd stay far far away from them.

Other than a few primes (Sigma 30/1.4 & 150/2.8 macro come to mind) I have found all 3rd party lenses to not focus as fast as Canon/Nikon lenses on their respective bodies. In my experience (no Pentax, Minolta, Sony, Olympus etc). this difference is more obvious with Nikon.

However I have a friend who has been using Tokina ATX-Pro lenses for many years with great results. He tells me that Tokina (esp the ATX-Pro series for film and digital) is the best of all 3rd party lens manufacturers and that Tamron and Sigma have the most problems (mostly soft focus, hunting, etc..). The only non Tokina zoom I have seen him use is Nikon's 80-400 VR but he claims that the new Nikon 16-85 VR is also a lens worth getting. On a D300 this combo will cover 24-600mm (at f/5.6)!

[mail4ajo]

If the budget is an issue, he may have to stick to the 3rd party lens. But they are by no means inferior. My colleague had a Sigma 70-300mm APO which some good results on my cam. I tested Tamron 70-300mm and it howed error99 frequently.

I have a canon 70-300mm IS USM. It is still less sharp and less precise in focusing than a L series, but good value for money and you get the extra length. The IS helps in low light. Not as noisy as the Tamron I used on loan.

You can also look at 55-250mm IS lens, though I would not suggest it. I learned that is IS mechanism is not the same as used in other canon IS lens and hence the lower cost. I dont think it has the USM as well.

[reignofchaos]

^^The 55-250 IS is sharper than the 70-300 IS. Tested both personally before selecting the former. Yes the IS mechanism is cheaper but its more effective giving 4 stops of compensation whereas the 70-300 has only 3 stops of compensation and also has automatic panning detection. The only things that it really misses are full time Manual and USM. But then for 12 grand you can't get everything. It is a class apart from the lame sigmas and tamrons in that price range. Here's a sample image with no PP just to illustrate the point



If that is not sharp, I don't know what is.

@Navin: I'm a happy tokina AF193 19-35 user. Just love the lens for its sharpness at a bargain basement price.

[Torqy]

Originally Posted by navin

If he is gonna use only one lens why get a DSLR? The 18-200 might not be as good as the new 18-55 IS and 55-200 IS combo.

THEY say any zoom above 4x or 5x is a compromise.

-- Torqy

[StarScream]

Originally Posted by navin

However I have a friend who has been using Tokina ATX-Pro lenses for many years with great results. He tells me that Tokina (esp the ATX-Pro series for film and digital) is the best of all 3rd party lens manufacturers and that Tamron and Sigma have the most problems (mostly soft focus, hunting, etc..). The only non Tokina zoom I have seen him use is Nikon's 80-400 VR but he claims that the new Nikon 16-85 VR is also a lens worth getting. On a D300 this combo will cover 24-600mm (at f/5.6)!

I second that. As far as third-party lenses go, Tokina is the best. They work particularly well on Nikon, afterall the company was founded by ex-Nikon engineers. Love my Tokina 12-24/4. Love the fact that I saved $400 over the Nikon equivalent.

Originally Posted by Torqy

THEY say any zoom above 4x or 5x is a compromise.

-- Torqy

Horses for courses Torqy. I've just bought the Nikon 18-200mm VR for a specific purpose - travel. I just came back from a business trip and carried only this lens - it performed very well. When able, I'll carry better glass. But when I need to go light - the 18-200 is all I need.

[reignofchaos]

I guess the Nikon 18-200 VR is the only 18-200 worth the money. I'm not a nikon guy but from reviews it seems its damn good for what its worth.

[navin]

Originally Posted by Torqy

THEY say any zoom above 4x or 5x is a compromise.

Any zoom is a compromise but what a handy one!

[StarScream]

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

I guess the Nikon 18-200 VR is the only 18-200 worth the money. I'm not a nikon guy but from reviews it seems its damn good for what its worth.

It's overpriced for sure but it does pack a lot into a small package. Im still evaluating quality but first impressions are its quite acceptable other than the distortion (fixable in photoshop). One thing TeamBHP members will appreciate about this lens - The active VR mode really helps get steady shots from a moving car! That was one of the first things I noticed about this lens.

[kvish]

You can also add the Tamron 18-250 for the list. Seen some really good samples from that lens. No IS though.

[Mpower]

Guys, recomendation please.

We need a camera for the office. P&S, not DSLR. Need to be able to focus on small objects like a coin or a ring for example.... in an indoor lab environment. The current camera becomes blurred when you try to focus on small objects. Budget up to $750.

Also is there anything that allows instantly naming of the file right after taking the shot, rather than after uploading. It can help with a lot of confusion that happens here.

[Mad Monkey]

guys ..
i am currently in new york and
need to buy some accessories for my nikon d300 ...

could you'll suggest some really GOOD shops to go to ?

also i am looking for a very good P&S with good video as well , so pls suggest ...

[reignofchaos]

B&H Photo Video

B&H Photo Video | Digital Cameras, Camcorders

[Mad Monkey]

thanks reignofchaos


further to my earlier post

i am thinking of buying the

"Canon PowerShot G9 12.1MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom"

getting it from amazon for $450 from amazon
and for $469 from B&H (no stock at the moment )

what do you'll think

[Mad Monkey]

just some resized pictures from my camera