All-In-One Superzoom lenses (Tamron 18-270mm)

Zascar · 29-06-2010 1:53pm #1

I'm soon to get some new camera gear after my previous lot got nicked. I used to have a Canon 400D, Sigma 17-70mm, Sigma 70-300mm APO + a Canon 50mm F1.8. I was not happy with this setup really as I did not like the hassle of changing lenses. I was not overly impressed by the 17-70mm - I used pretty ordinary lenses I thought were just as good.

Recently I got a lend of a Sigma 18-200mm OS - and I was really impressed. So versatile with the range and I thought the image quality was surprisingly good. So, I want something similar to it this time. I will prob be getting the 500D this time.

Basically the ones I was considering were the Sigma 18-200mm OS, Canon 18-200mm IS, Canon 18-135 IS or the Tamron 18-270mm VC (Photozone review)

From reading around I think the last one is the best. Really I do not need anything near 270mm range, but it certainly could come in handy. I'd be happy to settle for the 135mm but from what I can see you are not really getting any brilliant extra optical quality be restrcting yourself to 135, with the tamron you get twice the range. It's got image stabilization too which is nice

Just wondering what you guys think and if anyone has used many of these lenses, any comments?
Thanks

leche solara · 29-06-2010 2:10pm

I have the Tamron 18-270 on a Canon 450D and love it as an everyday lens. I have a few primes as well but the Tamron is definitely the one thats on most. It is also quite useful for close up stuff. A lot of my pix photos were taken with it.

DaireQuinlan · 29-06-2010 2:11pm

I'd say it looks like a lot of compromises packed into the lens to get those figures, and the f/6.3 at the long end is slowwwww. I'd say your AF would probably start struggling a bit at that stage.
That said, if not changing lenses is your thing, and you're happy enough with the images from the lens, then buy it. It's all pretty subjective at the end of the day. I normally leave the house with a single prime stuck on the camera and just use it exclusively, so I've never really understood this super-zoom thing, or people who carry around bags of gear, but as with everything else, YMMV.

hbr · 29-06-2010 2:12pm

Zascar wrote: »

Just wondering what you guys think and if anyone has used many of these lenses, any comments?
Thanks

My brother bought the Tamron 18-270mm last year. He hasn't taken it
off his Canon 450D since. Lots of photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43372015@N02/

I have the Canon 18-135mm IS. It is a good lens. A little better
than the 18-55mm kit lens and more than twice the zoom range.
However, it doesn't quite cover everything I need and I often have
to reach for my Sigma 70-300 APO just for that little bit of extra
range.

I haven't used the Sigma 18-200mm, but the newer ones have had
some good reviews. There is also a Sigma 18-250mm OS which
might be worth considering.

magicbastarder · 29-06-2010 2:17pm

it's a fairly uninspiring conclusion to that review, and you're saying that's the best of the lot?

to kinda echo what daire said - i don't understand the notion of buying an SLR and then disliking the notion of changing lenses. you may be better off with a high end bridge camera.

Thecageyone · 29-06-2010 2:24pm

The new Fuji bridge [HS10] has a 30x zoom, equivalent to 24 - 720mm on a 35mm camera! That is mental range. But, at end of the day, it's a bridge with a smaller sensor than a dslr. The IQ qill not be as good. But if that doesn't bother you, and you just want the one super-range lens, you could do a lot worse. Looks a really nice camera.

I don't mind lens changing. I've learned to do it on the move, often change them while walking and get very little dust in general.

I'd not say no to that Tamron, I like that range, I like a bit of zoom. I'd still probably use the 50mm most though.

Zascar · 29-06-2010 2:27pm

Magic the reason i say its the best is because of the conversation here: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1029&message=35158525 long thread but lots of stuff in it. The Photozone review is not brilliant but its better than the reviews of the other cameras I mentioned.

I see what you are saying about SRL - I'm not a pro I just want a good all rounder and decent convenience, but I would like to have a 50mm as well, maybe something else down the line. But are there any good bridge cameras I should be considering? I just found that the 17-70mm was not long enough for normal use, but I rarely got much use out of the 70-300.

hbr · 29-06-2010 2:32pm

Zascar wrote: »

But are there any good bridge cameras I should be considering?

You need a time machine:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/sony/dsc-r1/sony-dsc-r1-review.html

Does anybody make a fixed lens bridge camera with an APS size
sensor today?

DaireQuinlan · 29-06-2010 2:33pm

Zascar wrote: »

I see what you are saying about SRL - I'm not a pro I just want a good all rounder and decent convenience, but I would like to have a 50mm as well, maybe something else down the line. But are there any good bridge cameras I should be considering? I just found that the 17-70mm was not long enough for normal use, but I rarely got much use out of the 70-300.

If you're just getting the tamron with its extra range because you think you might use it at some point, but you haven't really ever gotten any use out of the long end of the 70->300 then I'd settle on one of the canon zooms. You're still making compromises in terms of quality and speed and so on, but not so much, and I'm prejudiced in favour of the own brand lenses in most cases.

Thecageyone · 29-06-2010 2:34pm

That fuji I mentioned above is about the best of the bridge offerings in terms of range. It's gotten really good reviews across all the usual photography mags.

Not cheap though -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-HS10-Digital-Camera/dp/B00342UTQ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277822073&sr=8-1

Zascar · 29-06-2010 2:39pm

Thecageyone wrote: »

The new Fuji bridge [HS10] has a 30x zoom, equivalent to 24 - 720mm on a 35mm camera! That is mental range. But, at end of the day, it's a bridge with a smaller sensor than a dslr. The IQ qill not be as good. But if that doesn't bother you, and you just want the one super-range lens, you could do a lot worse. Looks a really nice camera.

Wow! Ok suddenly I am reconsidering... It's amazing value and has a host of features I definitely cannot deny...

daycent · 29-06-2010 2:40pm

Zascar wrote: »

I'm soon to get some new camera gear after my previous lot got nicked. I used to have a Canon 400D, Sigma 17-70mm, Sigma 70-300mm APO + a Canon 50mm F1.8. I was not happy with this setup really as I did not like the hassle of changing lenses. I was not overly impressed by the 17-70mm - I used pretty ordinary lenses I thought were just as good.

Recently I got a lend of a Sigma 18-200mm OS - and I was really impressed. So versatile with the range and I thought the image quality was surprisingly good. So, I want something similar to it this time. I will prob be getting the 500D this time.

Basically the ones I was considering were the Sigma 18-200mm OS, Canon 18-200mm IS, Canon 18-135 IS or the Tamron 18-270mm VC (Photozone review)

From reading around I think the last one is the best. Really I do not need anything near 270mm range, but it certainly could come in handy. I'd be happy to settle for the 135mm but from what I can see you are not really getting any brilliant extra optical quality be restrcting yourself to 135, with the tamron you get twice the range. It's got image stabilization too which is nice

Just wondering what you guys think and if anyone has used many of these lenses, any comments?
Thanks

In a recent issue of Digital Camera magazine, they did a comparison of different superzooms. The new Sigma 18-250 OS scored WAY better than the Sigma 18-200 and was the best on test. Probably worth whatever extra it might cost.

All-In-One Superzoom lenses (Tamron 18-270mm)

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