[Geir Andersen]

Hi again all.
Sorry to post another question like this, but I'm just not sure what to get.
I have decided to get myself a new lens, and I have chosen three or four "contestants".

They are:
Tamron 70-300mm f4.0-5.6
Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG APO Macro
Sigma 55-200 f4-5.6 DC
(Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II)

These are all within my budget, and it's going to be one of these.
I'd like to get one of the zooms, but image quality is very important to me and I'm not sure how zooms are.

Usage:
Well, I'm still new to digital photography, but here's what I like to shoot for.
Birds, for this I'd like a 300mm+ prime, but oooooh no.
I've read sawdust's post and JMitchell's post about the 70-300mm, and I like the shots sawdust posted. However I also read that images can get a bit soft in the largest focal lengths, and when trying to capture birds thats probably my neighborhood. Inanimate objects of almost any sort, buildings, landscape, scenery, etc... This is what I'm shooting at now in this learning period.
The 55-200mm is certainly acceptable if it produces noticeably sharper images, but I'd like to get up to 300mm.

The prime is a "backup" if you don't think any of the zooms are OK.
I'm looking to get it tomorrow, but not until sometime in the evening.

Sincerely,
Geir Andersen

[Dabhand16]

Geir, I can't offer too much advice on these lenses as I have no first hand experience of them. However, I can say with some certainty that the 50mm is fantastic value for money, but is best suited to portraiture.

Hopefully, someone will be able to say if the Sigma 55-200 is better overall than the 70-300. Your intended usage is going to be more of a guide to which lens will be best for you. If you need the extra reach of the 300 end of the range, the choice is already reduced.

People who actually use these lenses will be able to tell you how they handle. Which ever way you jump, I hope you get the result you are looking for.

[Rob Barron]

It's impossible for us to tell you whether you should go for a 300mm or a 50mm lens Geir, that can only be decided by you and your needs.

I do think the Sigma 70-300mm APO Macro lens will be an excellent lens for you. I had this one and it gave me some excellent shots until I upgraded to a Canon 100-400mm IS L. I can recommend it and definitely think it would give you better options and results than the 55-200mm lens.

The 50mm f1.8 is a lens I think everyone should own. It is cheap as chips yet it is a quality optic and is so light and small it takes no space at all in your bag. If you can manage it, I would recommend you buying both of these two lenses... that will see you sorted for great shots for a fair old while!

Cheers,
Rob

[Foxesbrew]

Geir I am using the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG APO Macro With my Nikon D50 Good performance for the money.

[Geir Andersen]

Thank you all for such quick and informative replies. It really does help my thinking.
Great to hear other's experience.

Originally Posted by Rob Barron

It's impossible for us to tell you whether you should go for a 300mm or a 50mm lens Geir, that can only be decided by you and your needs.

The 50mm f1.8 is a lens I think everyone should own. It is cheap as chips yet it is a quality optic and is so light and small it takes no space at all in your bag. If you can manage it, I would recommend you buying both of these two lenses... that will see you sorted for great shots for a fair old while!

Cheers,
Rob

The 50mm wasn't really one of the options on this, I just threw it in there fr some reason. It's just a "fallback" as I know I "have to have" this piece. Zoom-wise, I'm probably going for the sigma 70-300, that's the one I've been drewling over.

My first instinct was to get both the 50mm and a zoom, and if I decide on the 55-200, I can also get the 50mm. If I'm going for the 70-300, I'd be stretching it a bit far this time, but probably get the 50mm during the start of next month. As I do love birds, I think the extra 100mm is important. Everytime I go through online shops, I so want both the 100-400 IS L and a 400mm prime, but my heart skips a beat when I see the price .

I'll have to sleep on it, but hopefully I'll be the proud owner of a sigma 70-300 tomorrow

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by Geir Andersen

I'll have to sleep on it, but hopefully I'll be the proud owner of a sigma 70-300 tomorrow

I'm sure you will not regret it. There are some great images on here that have been taken with this lens

[Markulous]

Just a quick word on 50mm primes: I have one and never use it. Ever! Will further qualify that I take few portraits (but use my 105mm when I do)

Sigma 55-200mm kit lens: excellent value for money but I would rate the 70-300mm as probably better (have both but the former died from stripped gearing!). Not keen on the macro capabilities but then I have the excellent 105mm!

[Geir Andersen]

OK, so I just did it
Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG APO Macro was just ordered, and should have it in a few hours. Feeling like a little boy in christmas

[Dave]

Congrats Let us know how you get on with it

[marksuckling`]

go to pbase.com they have an option to search images by manufacturer.
This can help you buying a dud. As you can see real results.
Trust me this has saved me a fortune. As i beleived the hype.