Lens brands?

[revrob]

I'm a newbie on this board, though I've owned a DSLR for several years. I've just upgraded my body (Canon T1i) and bought a new lens (Sigma 18-200 3.5-6.5 OS) at the same time. I purchased from a local camera shop and purchased the Sigma lens because it was $100 less than the Canon brand and it included a hood.

I realize now that I could have purchased the same body and lens for much less through B & H. Hindsight is 20/20! So, now, here's my question. When looking at lenses, are you brand loyal? Do you see a real difference between Canon & Sigma? What about Tamron? Is it safe to purchase the lens with the stats that you want at the cheapest price? Is there anything that you're gonna loose as a sacrifice for the savings?

I only intend to be a hobbyist taking everyday pictures of my family - if that helps!

 

[jann1033]

usually i view any lens i intend to buy on fredmiranda and maybe a few other places if the reviews are really inconsistent before i buy. there can be a big difference between third party and canon lenses but you usually can tell if the difference will be big enough to cancel out the price difference. ie is it cheaper cause it's plastic( not as big deal to me) or cheaper cause it doesn't focus well (annoys me to no end). so to me it isn't so much brand loyalty as it is what lens is reviewed "best". I had a ton of problems with a sigma in the past so haven't bought one of them again( yet , there is still hope, some of their lenses are rated really well but are more than my wallet allows) but have a tokina fisheye and a tamron teleconverter and am happy with both. if it were third party and reviewed in the 9 or 10 at fm. i would buy it ( same with canon ,i try to stay in the same area of reviews cause you can get dogs from brand names as well). i started this after i bought a really lousy canon lens and didn't want to repeat my mistake
as far as the cheapest price i check resellersratings if i try someone new or usually just stick to the beach/b&h/amazon/adorama etc group of well known camera places online and get the cheapest one from one of them
welcome to the board an i hope you post some photos soon...not many have that camera yet

 

[Angrypenguin]

I had the Sigma 18-200 DC OS and was very happy with it! It's a solid all in one lens; I bought it because I got it for around half price of the Canon 18-200. I played with the Canon 18-200 for a little bit as well, however, and I have to admit it was slightly sharper when you pixel peep. I've since sold it, but I do miss the reach that the lens had.

I prefer Canon lenses for my main lenses just because I really like the quality of their "L" series. However, I certainly wouldn't mind having a Sigma lens as support lenses; I've actually been eyeing that 10mm fisheye Sigma makes for fun.

 

[zackiedawg]

Of the third party lenses, there are obviously a few which are better established and generally of a higher quality - such as Sigma, Tamron, Tokina. There are others which are not so much.

I wouldn't have much hesitation picking one of those three above, and think they would compare well to an equal lens from a manufacturer.

Some folks don't realize...but some lenses which are labeled by the manufacturer are actually MADE by one of these three companies. They may be very subtly reworked - different grip, additional lens coating - but it's basically the same lens. I have an excellent all-around lens labeled 'Sony' SAL18-250 F3.5-6.3...but it's a Tamron-made lens (the very same 18-250 F3.5-6.3). The primary difference with the Sony version is a different focus ring grip, slightly faster zoom/focus ring ratio, and additional coating. Really, not much difference, and IQ should be about identical. Pentax labels a few Tokina lenses. Just a few examples.

Once you get into the 'upgrade' glass, I think the manufacturer's stuff tends to be a little better. F2.8 constant big zooms, Canon L glass, Sony Zeiss glass, etc. But for the normal run-of-the-mill or every day lenses, there's really not anything between them, and at least with the bigger 3rd party companies, I'd feel very comfortable buying or recommending them as much as any manufacturer lens.

 

[bob100]

I realize now that I could have purchased the same body and lens for much less through B & H. Hindsight is 20/20! So, now, here's my question. When looking at lenses, are you brand loyal? Do you see a real difference between Canon & Sigma? What about Tamron? Is it safe to purchase the lens with the stats that you want at the cheapest price? Is there anything that you're gonna loose as a sacrifice for the savings?
I only intend to be a hobbyist taking everyday pictures of my family - if that helps!

Before buying any lens I think you should always check the reviews and comments on sites like www.photography-on-the.net/forum (Canon) or www.fredmiranda.com. There is usually a 100% sample crop comparison of similar lens, sample pics, etc. and you can view the buy/sell listings.

 

[jfinke]

I tend to look for best value / price performance. Sometimes it is worth going to a third party lens, sometimes it is not.

Someone above posted Sigma, Tokina, & Tamron. Those would probably be the only third party lenses I would look at. I suppose I could look at zeiss, but they are usually more expensive than OEM and don't autofocus from what I understand.

 

[ilovehuhu]

I find a list for Popular DSLR Lenses..hope it is helpful for you.