Build my lens Kit (final help)

ketan · Sep 1, 2007

Hi,

After eating head of may many friends here on the forum, when EOS JD convinced me to have a look at TP lenses, I started to do so seriously.

It is really really very hard to pull the final trigger and GO.

My Budget: $ 1419 and nothing for at least 12 months.

Options:

(1) Canon 24-70L f/2.8 for $ 1419. End of story

(2) Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 for $ 401 + Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro $ 380 + left with $ 639

(3) Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 for $ 380 + Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro $ 380 + left with $ 659

Canon 100mm f/2.8 $ 684.

Sigma 150mm f/2.8 macro costs $ 516.

Tamron delear is cranky, Sigma Delear is good.

Thanks:blushing:
Ketan

Buszaj · Sep 1, 2007

What are you mostly going to be shooting?

ketan · Sep 2, 2007

Family, cityscapes, travel, nighthotography, something for fun or experiment. Nothing professionally. But yes, serious photography (that's why invested in 30D).

Sw1tchFX · Sep 2, 2007

ketan said:
After eating head of may many friends here on the forum

TCimages · Sep 2, 2007

I've not used a Tamron lens, but my experience with another Sigma Zoom (70-300) was it was pretty sharp on the short end, but soft on the long end.
If you want the very best in build and Image Quality, Go with the 24-70L. I went the cheaper route to save money and in the end all I did was spend more money. I'm not saying the Lenses mentioned are not good, but there is a difference in IQ. Consider renting them to help you determine of the difference in IQ is within your taste.

If this is a serious hobby, buy the 24-70L. The 24-70 is capable of delivering amazing images. You wont regret the purchase. One thing to consider, the 24-70 is a heavy lens!

The Macro lens doesn't seem to fit into what you mention your interests are, so I would consider purchasing some extension tubes to use with the 24-70. This will allow you to play with real Macro to determine if you really have an interest. Also, the 24-70 has a minimum focus of 1.3 feet. This can take some really nice close-ups.

BTW- At Amazon.com they have a deal that fits close to your budget. I have seen images from the Sigma Macro and in my personal opinion its comparable to the Canon 100mm.

24-70L $1127 at Adorama Camera (reputable online store)
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Canon-24-70mm-2-8L-Standard-Cameras/dp/B00009R6WT/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-5637424-9880855?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1188728030&sr=8-1[/ame]

Sigma Macro $364 (thru Amazon)
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-105mm-Medium-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B0002P19XA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-5637424-9880855?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1188729466&sr=1-1[/ame]

In Summary, Spend the money now and it will save you money in the long run.

ketan · Sep 2, 2007

Thanks for the reply, I wish that I can get one on rent. Here in this part of the world people do not give lenses on rent.

TCimages · Sep 2, 2007

ketan said:
Thanks for the reply, I wish that I can get one on rent. Here in this part of the world people do not give lenses on rent.

will this work:

http://www.rentglass.com/shop.aspx?type=Canon

ketan · Sep 2, 2007

Thanks my friend, unfortunately this works only in US currently (as mentioned in the faq) :hail:

Garbz · Sep 3, 2007

The canon L series is definitely a nice lens, but aside from the fine build quality I do not see much optical performance at the review on photozone.de over the Tamron lens. I have seen that Tamron 28-75 and it seems to do the job, and reasonably well which is (queue flamebait) unlike tamron on the whole.

With the macros, I personally can't live without them. But I spend my life staring at the ground and love bringing a new world into focus. The practical differences between the 105 and the 150 are slight. Both have ok sharpness and are excellent in all other departments. The 150mm gives you a bit extra range so as not to spook your subjects, and it has a Silent Wave, I mean Ultra Sonic, I mean Hyper Sonic Motor, which means it will focus faster and quieter. You also didn't include the Canon 100mm Macro in the list??

I can't comment on the Sigma 24-70 as I have neither seen it reviewed or used. One thing though the 28mm Tamron falls short of being a wide angle on the Canon digital bodies below the 5D, as that translates roughly to 42mm for 35mm film. Not wide by any means.

I would safely rule out option number (1) because you simply lack bang for buck, unless you can find this lens secondhand somewhere. (2) is a good choice except for the aforementioned wide angle problem. (3) may be good I don't know about the sigma 24-70 though.