Lens Advice : Tamron 28-200mm vs 18-200mm?

[photo_bee]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this photography thing and don't have a lot of money to spend on lenses.

I found two lenses that seem to be affordable, but I'm sure if they quality of the photos produced are any good.

Can any of you provide some insight about which one is better, or if there is another lens that is comparable?


*Tamron AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical for Canon

*Tamron AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di for Canon

*Tamron AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Canon

Thanks so much!!

[TheWengler]

Did you decide against the f/2.8 lenses? I wouldn't recommend going with an all in one option.

[photo_bee]

No, I am still looking to buy an F2.8, but it will take quite a while to save up for that.
I was hoping I could buy something with a large range in zoom to use in the mean time.

Is there something wrong with these types of all in one lenses?

[TheWengler]

Usually they're a little soft at the telephoto end (especially if you don't stop down), they have a lot of barrel distortion at the wide end and they have a smaller max aperture.

[Mark_48]

I had bought a Sigma 18-200 non-stabilized lens for the purpose of a "carry-only-one-lens" vacation/keep-in-the-car snapshot lens and it usually resides on a 300D Rebel I have. It serves this purpose well and I haven't been too disappointed with the images I get from it. It isn't up too par with the some of my more expensive lenses, but it does OK for what it is.

This Sigma 18-200 has a red ring on it's front barrel, but I don't know who they were trying to fool. :rolleyes:

Trip to North Carolina a while ago using the Sigma 18-200...
Sigma 18-200 Slideshow (http://webpages.charter.net/markf_48/Images/ArtsFestival/album/)

Read some reviews on the lenses your interested in....
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/
http://photosig.pcphotoreview.com/cat/lenses/35mm-zoom/PLS_3128crx.aspx
http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/overview
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

[AlexMonro]

The 18-200 and 28-300 have in depth reviews at SLRgear (http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showcat.php/cat/23).