In preparation for a family safari trip to Africa, we will be shortly purchasing a Canon EOS 500D Digital Rebel T1i / Kiss X3 Digital (why do they need so many names?). This will be our first DSLR for the past two+ years we have been using the Canon S5 IS. While were happy with it, we feel its time to move up. We, led by my 16-year old daughter, photograph fairly profusely, though we are amateurs. Our photography is all-purpose travel, nature, friends, occasional need for basic video. We rarely print photos and do not need super high quality optics.
I am trying to decide about an 18 200 mm all-purpose lens, and am debating between the [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007WK8MQ/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER"]Tamron[/ame] ($290) and [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-200mm-3-5-6-3-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0007U0GYS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275989961&sr=1-4"]Sigma[/ame] ($249) neither of which have optical stabilization, and a Sigma [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-200mm-3-5-6-3-Optical-Stabilizer/dp/B000NOSCGM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275987270&sr=1-1"]model[/ame] with optical stabilization, that costs $369 and is about 50% heavier.
The compactness and lightness of the two non-OS models, and of course the low price, is very appealing, and both have received good reviews. I have two specific questions:
1. How important is the optical stabilization? The extra $120 is not a deal breaker, but that, with the extra weight of the lens, is a consideration, unless the OS is really that important.
2. I have read that there have been compatibility issues between Sigma and Canon not that the mount doesnt fit, but that there are issues, e.g., with autofocus and such.
Id greatly appreciate any input on these questions and any other relevant thoughts.
Thanks,
Danny
I am trying to decide about an 18 200 mm all-purpose lens, and am debating between the [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007WK8MQ/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER"]Tamron[/ame] ($290) and [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-200mm-3-5-6-3-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0007U0GYS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275989961&sr=1-4"]Sigma[/ame] ($249) neither of which have optical stabilization, and a Sigma [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-200mm-3-5-6-3-Optical-Stabilizer/dp/B000NOSCGM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275987270&sr=1-1"]model[/ame] with optical stabilization, that costs $369 and is about 50% heavier.
The compactness and lightness of the two non-OS models, and of course the low price, is very appealing, and both have received good reviews. I have two specific questions:
1. How important is the optical stabilization? The extra $120 is not a deal breaker, but that, with the extra weight of the lens, is a consideration, unless the OS is really that important.
2. I have read that there have been compatibility issues between Sigma and Canon not that the mount doesnt fit, but that there are issues, e.g., with autofocus and such.
Id greatly appreciate any input on these questions and any other relevant thoughts.
Thanks,
Danny