Help with zoom lens

Chris.G · 08-07-2008, 22:33

I need help deciding on a zoom lens for my Canon EOS 450D.

I have a Tamron 70-300mm Tele/Macro which can't match the zoom distance of my Panasonic FZ18 (18x Optical zoom).

I've seen a Sigma 120-400mm F/4.5-5.6 DG which comes in at £539.00 That's strong money at the mo. Is there a lens in between the above two that will give me more zoom power without breaking the bank?

Thanks.

RSIT · 08-07-2008, 23:57

Hi Chris
Rather you than me picking lens I use all Canon myself. but ebay is a good place to start all sorts on there and a few at good prices here is a link to get you started.

All matching items for sale.

Regards
rallyimage.com

jaymd · 09-07-2008, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris.G

I need help deciding on a zoom lens for my Canon EOS 450D.

I have a Tamron 70-300mm Tele/Macro which can't match the zoom distance of my Panasonic FZ18 (18x Optical zoom).

I've seen a Sigma 120-400mm F/4.5-5.6 DG which comes in at £539.00 That's strong money at the mo. Is there a lens in between the above two that will give me more zoom power without breaking the bank?

Thanks.

Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG APO at UK Camera Price Buster

Is this the same lens?

If you want some good prices on canon gear pm me and i will give you a contact based in scotland who's prices are very keen.

Scuff · 09-07-2008, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaymd

Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG APO at UK Camera Price Buster

Is this the same lens?

If you want some good prices on canon gear pm me and i will give you a contact based in scotland who's prices are very keen.

Not on commission for Kerso are you

the13thduke · 09-07-2008, 21:52

Seems like a drastic step in my opinion. Let's get this in perspective (no pun intended)

The Pana FZ18 has a '35mm equivalent' max focal length of 504mm. The Tamron 70-300 combined with the crop factor of the Canon 450D sensor gives a similar 35mm equivalent of 480mm. Not lagging behind much really.

Furthermore, the Pana is a 8.1 megapixel point and shoot whereas the Canon is a 12.2MP DSLR. Take the same shot from a tripod with both at full zoom and I'll bet that viewed at 100% image size there is no discernible difference between the two in terms of reach, though the Canon *should* poo on the Panasonic for image quality.

Unless you're doing a lot of airshows, wildlife or are a voyeur then save your beans for better quality lenses rather than 'longer reach' lenses. That Tamron though generally sharp enough is prone to some horrible chromatic aberration unless stopped down quite a bit.

Hope this helps.

jaymd · 09-07-2008, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuff

Not on commission for Kerso are you

I wish i was.

Chris.G · 10-07-2008, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by the13thduke

Seems like a drastic step in my opinion. Let's get this in perspective (no pun intended)

The Pana FZ18 has a '35mm equivalent' max focal length of 504mm. The Tamron 70-300 combined with the crop factor of the Canon 450D sensor gives a similar 35mm equivalent of 480mm. Not lagging behind much really.

Furthermore, the Pana is a 8.1 megapixel point and shoot whereas the Canon is a 12.2MP DSLR. Take the same shot from a tripod with both at full zoom and I'll bet that viewed at 100% image size there is no discernible difference between the two in terms of reach, though the Canon *should* poo on the Panasonic for image quality.

Unless you're doing a lot of airshows, wildlife or are a voyeur then save your beans for better quality lenses rather than 'longer reach' lenses. That Tamron though generally sharp enough is prone to some horrible chromatic aberration unless stopped down quite a bit.

Hope this helps.

Thanks all for the help.

Aircraft and wildlife is exactly what I want to shoot. I've found a Sigma 170-500mm for £279 on E-Bay which looks good enough until I save up £1500 for something a bit better.

Wardy · 13-07-2008, 22:50

Bloody 'ell Chris, getting serious with the 450 already!

Does seem an awful lot of range for £280 that 170-500. I'd be looking at the spec sheet closely, what speed is it for example?

Steve

Chris.G · 13-07-2008, 23:04

Duno, it just looked like it could zooooooooooooom. Oh yeah, and it's cheap

Wardy · 13-07-2008, 23:09

But is it cheap for a reason?

m17rkj · 14-07-2008, 05:40

I have the sigma 170-500 attached to my old 35mm Canon EOS and it works just fine and have taken some pretty good shots with it, sure it ain't the best quailty thing in the world but for the price i have been very impressed with it. i paid £500 for mine about 4 years ago and it hasn't let me down yet

Chris.G · 14-07-2008, 06:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wardy

But is it cheap for a reason?

I'm not expecting £1000-2000+ quality. It's just a cheapish way into zoom photography. Going by reviews this lens doesn't seem a bad compromise.

08-07-2008, 22:33	#1
Chris.G Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,211 Members Car: Renault sport clio 197 Images: 1 Thanks: 36 Thanked 28 Times in 28 Posts	Help with zoom lens I need help deciding on a zoom lens for my Canon EOS 450D. I have a Tamron 70-300mm Tele/Macro which can't match the zoom distance of my Panasonic FZ18 (18x Optical zoom). I've seen a Sigma 120-400mm F/4.5-5.6 DG which comes in at £539.00 That's strong money at the mo. Is there a lens in between the above two that will give me more zoom power without breaking the bank? Thanks.

08-07-2008, 23:57	#2
RSIT Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Co.Donegal, Ireland Posts: 51 Members Car: VRS TDI Octavia,MK2 Mexico Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Help with zoom lens Hi Chris Rather you than me picking lens I use all Canon myself. but ebay is a good place to start all sorts on there and a few at good prices here is a link to get you started. All matching items for sale. Regards rallyimage.com

09-07-2008, 21:52	#5
the13thduke Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lancashire Posts: 15 Members Car: VW Beetle Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Help with zoom lens Seems like a drastic step in my opinion. Let's get this in perspective (no pun intended) The Pana FZ18 has a '35mm equivalent' max focal length of 504mm. The Tamron 70-300 combined with the crop factor of the Canon 450D sensor gives a similar 35mm equivalent of 480mm. Not lagging behind much really. Furthermore, the Pana is a 8.1 megapixel point and shoot whereas the Canon is a 12.2MP DSLR. Take the same shot from a tripod with both at full zoom and I'll bet that viewed at 100% image size there is no discernible difference between the two in terms of reach, though the Canon should poo on the Panasonic for image quality. Unless you're doing a lot of airshows, wildlife or are a voyeur then save your beans for better quality lenses rather than 'longer reach' lenses. That Tamron though generally sharp enough is prone to some horrible chromatic aberration unless stopped down quite a bit. Hope this helps.

13-07-2008, 22:50	#8
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,760 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS Thanks: 457 Thanked 372 Times in 360 Posts	Re: Help with zoom lens Bloody 'ell Chris, getting serious with the 450 already! Does seem an awful lot of range for £280 that 170-500. I'd be looking at the spec sheet closely, what speed is it for example? Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

13-07-2008, 23:04	#9
Chris.G Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,211 Members Car: Renault sport clio 197 Images: 1 Thanks: 36 Thanked 28 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Help with zoom lens Duno, it just looked like it could zooooooooooooom. Oh yeah, and it's cheap

13-07-2008, 23:09	#10
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,760 Members Car: Skoda Fabia vRS Thanks: 457 Thanked 372 Times in 360 Posts	Re: Help with zoom lens But is it cheap for a reason? __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

14-07-2008, 05:40	#11
m17rkj Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Posts: 1,164 Members Car: 2005 focus ZTW Thanks: 16 Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Help with zoom lens I have the sigma 170-500 attached to my old 35mm Canon EOS and it works just fine and have taken some pretty good shots with it, sure it ain't the best quailty thing in the world but for the price i have been very impressed with it. i paid £500 for mine about 4 years ago and it hasn't let me down yet __________________ "I don't even know what street Canada is on." Al Capone.

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