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AF18-270MM

I'm looking for a new lens for my digital Rebel.

I'm thinking XMas here (in September!) My photography is primarilly used for identification of wildlife - probably 90% of my pics aren't intended for photo albums.  That being said I do get an occasional beauty that I'm proud to show off.  I want an all purpose lens that can snap a hawk up in a tall tree or across a field but also be ready for a closeup warbler or dragonfly that lands 5 feet away from me.  Autozoom should be quick, but low-light not a priority.

In short I'm looking for a medium to high end all purpose lens.  Right now I'm looking at the new Tamson AF18-270MM.  I'm hoping someone could tell me this is a good choice or point me in the right direction to another lens.

Thanks!

 

 

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Bird Count (17 months): 213
Best Sightings: Ivory Gull, Brown-Chested Martin, Snowy Owl, Townsend's Warbler, Marbled Godwit
Most Recent New Sightings: Red-Throated Loon, Long-Tailed Duck

neef:

AF18-270MM

I'm looking for a new lens for my digital Rebel.

I'm thinking XMas here (in September!) My photography is primarilly used for identification of wildlife - probably 90% of my pics aren't intended for photo albums.  That being said I do get an occasional beauty that I'm proud to show off.  I want an all purpose lens that can snap a hawk up in a tall tree or across a field but also be ready for a closeup warbler or dragonfly that lands 5 feet away from me.  Autozoom should be quick, but low-light not a priority.

In short I'm looking for a medium to high end all purpose lens.  Right now I'm looking at the new Tamson AF18-270MM.  I'm hoping someone could tell me this is a good choice or point me in the right direction to another lens.

Thanks!

Hi Neef it would help if you could tell us what range of lens you already have.

The reason I ask this is because it would be piontless to get a lens that already covers any range that you might have now.

although with that in mind there are a number of lenses outhere that will also include a marco setting as well I now that the Sigma brand does this and they produce low end to high end lenses maybe take a look at what they have to offer, From the sounds of it you want both reach and very close (macro)

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My New Avatar is in memory of Nancy my darling wife of 10 years who passed away on Monday November the 16th 2009 after an illness

My photo gallery http://thekiwi.org/photography/index.php

Hey Kiwi, thanks for helping me out. :)

I have a Tamron AF that goes from 80 to 210mm.  It does a good job and is lightweight, but I'm hoping for something more powerful.  Bear in mind I am a complete novice at camera knowledge. :)

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Bird Count (17 months): 213
Best Sightings: Ivory Gull, Brown-Chested Martin, Snowy Owl, Townsend's Warbler, Marbled Godwit
Most Recent New Sightings: Red-Throated Loon, Long-Tailed Duck

OK Neef I believe you are using a Canon eos Rebel so with this in mind I would like to suggest the following Sigma puts out a 70 - 300 DG MACRO lens this is a very good lens for the bucks at around $129 for the lens it will give you that extra reach and don't forget that the camera has a 1.6 crop factor so multiply the 300 x1.6  and that will give you a reach equal to 480mm it also has a the macro setting as well.

and if you want a closeup low light lens then take a look at the 50mm prime lens with 1.8 aperture believe they cost around $70 they are an excellent lens very sharp.

I found that with those 2 lenes they where all i used with my canon 10D if you need a longer reach then you can spend big $'s for a prime lens 400mm or longer or you can spend maybe $100 odd and get yourself a 1.4X extender don't be fooled by the 2X extender you will have to manually focus every time

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My New Avatar is in memory of Nancy my darling wife of 10 years who passed away on Monday November the 16th 2009 after an illness

My photo gallery http://thekiwi.org/photography/index.php

OK, this is good info.  Thanks very much Kiwi. ! :)

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Bird Count (17 months): 213
Best Sightings: Ivory Gull, Brown-Chested Martin, Snowy Owl, Townsend's Warbler, Marbled Godwit
Most Recent New Sightings: Red-Throated Loon, Long-Tailed Duck

I've found 70-300 to be a pretty good range for wildlife.  You'll have to back off a few feet from the dragonfly, but you'll still get great shots of it.  If I were you, though, I'd spring for a stabilized lens.  I switched from Nikon's 70-300 AF ED to the 70-300 AF-S ED VR lens, and saw the results immediately. 

These are links to a Canon lens and a similar Sigma:  (Tamron doesn't seem to make one with image stabilization)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397663-USA/Canon_0345B002_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_EF_IS.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/652369-USA/Sigma_572101_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_DG_OS.html

 

You do pay a lot more for these, though.  If they are out of your range, the newest Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 USM is only $200 (you might as well go genuine Canon at this price).  Make sure you get the USM version, though, because it's much quicker to focus (not to mention quieter!)

(I had a link for this one, but the forum flagged my post until I removed it.  I'm sure you can find it on your own  )

Also keep in mind that these lenses don't go very wide.  You can get an 18-whatever, but my guess is that the quality will suffer, unless you stop at 18-200, and give up the extra reach.  I personally think you'd be better off taking Kiwi's advice and just adding a second lens.  A 50mm 1.8 gives you a fast lens for pretty cheap.  You can get an 18-55mm for around $150, or step up to a 17-85mm for around $450.  It depends on what else you like to shoot.

Personally, I rarely take my 70-300mm off when I'm birding.  I also have an 18-70mm that I use for travel snapshots or the odd landscape.  When I'm birding, though, I've never really found a need to go wider than 70mm.