Lens question for Canon 450D

[Kiwi]

Hi
I am looking to buy a Canon 450D - I can get it with a Canon 18-200 IS lens or a Tamron AF 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens..... which is better???

99% of photos will be of my two daughters (2yrs & 4 months) and the other 1% will be of large family gatherings and/or scenery etc.

Thanks for your help.

[speaklightly]

Of the two lenses mentioned the Tamron is a much better choice. However, the Conon 18-55mm IS kit lens combined with the Canon 55-250mm IS lens will produce better image quality.

Sarah Joyce

[Kiwi]

Thanks for your reply Sarah.

I have a Pentax *ist DS with the twin lens and I find that with all the other things I have to carry with two small girls it gets a bit much having to carry another lens with me (and make sure it is safe all the time) and also, when I want to get a close up shot or something, sometimes the moment is gone by the time I swap lenses so I really want to just stick to one lens.

Is the image quality with the larger lenses very noticeably terrible? And also, why is the Tamron lens better (someone once told me to stick with the lens made buy the company that makes the body) - I love photography and photos and take hundreds (just ask my husband) but I'm not a very good photographer and don't imagine I will be anything more than over eager mother annoying my kids with a camera, so I am keen to have a camera and lens that will help make my photos more beautiful.

I'd pretty much decided on the Canon 450D with 18-200 lens but last night I saw a kit with the Tamron lens for the same price and just need to clarify in my head which is better and why.....

So, to make a long story short why is the Tamron better.

Thanks again