wallybarthman
Newbie
Posts: 10
|
I am looking for one "all purpose" lens that is compact for using outdoors. I need the flexibility of a wide-angle to medium telephoto. I know ahead of time that this puts me in the "mega-zoom" category where the quality of image has to be sacrificed - and I'm ok with that. I pretty much will never use this lens at anything lower than f8 as I've got other lenses that are faster (but not as flexible) if light is an issue. I owned a Tamron 28-300 and sold it off because 28mm on a T2i isn't wide enough for close ups - especially close up 16:9 video.
With that, I've narrowed my list to two (and maybe a third).
Tamron 18-200 f/3.5-6.3
Canon EF-S 18-135 f/3.5-5.6
and have also considered the Canon EF-S 17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM and the Sigma 18-125 OS HSM.
Right now I'm thinking the 18-135 because it has IS and seems to be reviewed better. Thoughts?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
wallybarthman
Newbie
Posts: 10
|
I have read it - sadly it's more than I want to spend - that would be my first choice.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Bob Atkins
|
The new 18-270PZD lens is $649, but the older non-PZD version is currently $479 after rebate - see Tamron 18-270/3.5-6.3 VC. The new lens is smaller and lighter, but the non-PZD lens isn't that much bigger. That's pretty much the same price is the EF-S 18-135/3.5-5.6 IS. Both lenses are stabilized. I've never done a side by side test for optical quality, but the Tamron isn't bad and if range and verstility are the important factors, then the Tamron would seem to be the winner in this contest and they are about the same price. The Tamron 18-200/3.5-6.3 is less expensive (arouund $300), but it doesn't have any optical stabilization which can be very useful with a relatively slow telephoto lens. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
wallybarthman
Newbie
Posts: 10
|
My struggle is that I can pick up the EF-S 18-135 for 280 (new with warranty) on eBay where as $479 is the best I've found for the Tamron (after rebate)
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
KeithB
|
There is something fishy here. I would guess that your New with warranty lens is really Grey Market, and does *not* really have a warranty.
I see on Amazon there are two price levels: Around $440 and $350. The $350 ones are marked "white box", which I take to mean grey market. But your 280 is even much cheaper than the $350 - I really think this is too good to be true.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Bob Atkins
|
I'd be surprised if you could even find a grey market lens new (with or without warranty) at that price. "White Box" may mean refurbished. I know Canon ship their refurbished items in a "white box" rather than the original retail box. I presume stuff refurbished by other outfits doesn't come in the real box either and I guess some people might sell such lenses as "new". Just be careful dealing with eBay. It can be a great place to get stuff. I buy cheap junk from China all the time off eBay! However I don't expect to get more than I pay for... Warranty on refurb items is often 90 days. The Tamron 18-270/3.5-6.3 VC comes with the standard Tamron SP 6 year warranty I think. That's something to consider. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
wallybarthman
Newbie
Posts: 10
|
My understanding (and I've gotten the same story from a couple of different sellers) is that the EF-S 18-135 IS can be had for steal because the seller buys them from Canon as part of 7D Kits and then just sells the 7D body - leaving them with a lens that they can only sell as a white box item.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
sshegde@aol.com
Newbie
Posts: 8
|
That sounds reasonable if you think you know the seller. I bought my 40D bundled with 28-135 lens for 100 dollars more than the body itself and sold the lens off for $250. Retail price then for the new lens was about $350. However, I had mentioned it clearly in the description and supplied the buyer with a copy of my invoice. If the guy is ebay merchant, you may not get much help if things go wrong.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
whizkid
|
Indeed white box refers to an item that is taken from a kit and packaged in a white box where it is then sold separately. Adorama in NY is showing as available an EFs !8-135 white box lens for just under $350 and they are a great source to buy from should anything go wrong.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Author
