New Lenses or New Point and Shoot?

[CarpeLiberum]

Hello, all-

Here's my dilemma. I have a t3i, but only have the kit lenses- I'm considering buying the Tamron 18-250 for an all-in-one lens to tote around the park, as well as a nifty fifty- I figure the 2 of those will run about 500-550.

Would my money be better spent getting a good point and shoot? If so, do you have any recommendations?

Anyone have experience with the Tamron lens?

Thanks!

 

[hakepb]

On a crop body you are looking at an equivilent 29-400mm reach.

The 2 common point and shoots that are close to a DSLr IQ are the RX100 and the G1X, and neither of those can match that reach. The Panasonic FZ200. May do occasionally better with its f/2.8 24-600mm, but most times it would pale to a DSLr.

A lens is something you can use on future cameras and should have a longer useful life than a PnS.

You would have to have a strong desire for compact, superzoom , or waterproof (so strong you can stomach a drop in IQ and focus speed) to get a PnS.

 

[nbaresejr]

I have the nifty 50 and a t2i. I do not like it on that camera but you may like it. For me it was just too long as a fixed length.

As for the superzoom, again its not something that interest me but it all depends on what your goal is. Do you want to just carry as little as possible?

If you want to travel light a point and shoot may be the best option. If you are ok with carrying around the bigger camera all day then maybe a lens will be what you need. The tamron will only get you more reach on the camera, i dont believe there will be an improvement in IQ.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hello, all-

Here's my dilemma. I have a t3i, but only have the kit lenses- I'm considering buying the Tamron 18-250 for an all-in-one lens to tote around the park, as well as a nifty fifty- I figure the 2 of those will run about 500-550.

Would my money be better spent getting a good point and shoot? If so, do you have any recommendations?

Anyone have experience with the Tamron lens?

Thanks!

I have the Tamron 18-270 with PZD. It's not the highest quality lens in my kit, but it definitely has a place. I love my fast lenses, but sometimes I need to travel lighter or just don't know what my range needs will be before entering a situation. It comes in handy for that. I bought a refurbished copy on Ebay for $350 (I had the older non PZD model and sold it on ebay for $300).

I have been back and forth on adding a point and shoot to my kit. I can see where that would fill a need sometimes. But I always seem to err on the side of just increasing my lens kit for my DSLR.

I will say that the newer Tamron (with PZD) is nice and compact, both smaller and lighter than my older version of that lens.

 

[CarpeLiberum]

Thank you for the input- I do want to carry as little as possible, without sacrificing picture quality- I have a Black Rapid strap, which I love and makes the camera super easy to tote around, I just don't want to be hauling a bunch of lenses as well. I've opted out of photopass this go-around, and we're doing MNNSHP, so I don't want to miss anything.

 

[nbaresejr]

Thank you for the input- I do want to carry as little as possible, without sacrificing picture quality- I have a Black Rapid strap, which I love and makes the camera super easy to tote around, I just don't want to be hauling a bunch of lenses as well. I've opted out of photopass this go-around, and we're doing MNNSHP, so I don't want to miss anything.

I have been to both the Christmas and Halloween parties and I will tell you I absolutely LOVED the Halloween party! You are going to have a blast.

Not sure if you saw the announcement or not but Canon just announced these 2 point and shoot cameras

Canon PowerShot G16 Digital Camera

12.1mp CMOS
DIGIC 6
28-140 f/1.8-2.8
3″ LCD
1080p with 60fps Video
Built-In Wifi
Fast AF
9.3fps

Canon PowerShot S120 Digital Camera

12.1mp CMOS
DIGIC 6
24-120mm f/1.8-5.7 Lens (35mm Equiv.)
3″ LCD
1080p with 60fps Video
Built-In Wifi
Fast AF
9.4fps

I am highlighting the lenses in them because with that aperture you should be able to get decent low light images. Those lenses are going to be much faster then the Tamron you were considering. That may be something to look into. I think they are going to be around the budget you were thinking of.

 

[CarpeLiberum]

I have been to both the Christmas and Halloween parties and I will tell you I absolutely LOVED the Halloween party! You are going to have a blast.

Not sure if you saw the announcement or not but Canon just announced these 2 point and shoot cameras

Canon PowerShot G16 Digital Camera

12.1mp CMOS
DIGIC 6
28-140 f/1.8-2.8
3″ LCD
1080p with 60fps Video
Built-In Wifi
Fast AF
9.3fps

Canon PowerShot S120 Digital Camera

12.1mp CMOS
DIGIC 6
24-120mm f/1.8-5.7 Lens (35mm Equiv.)
3″ LCD
1080p with 60fps Video
Built-In Wifi
Fast AF
9.4fps

I am highlighting the lenses in them because with that aperture you should be able to get decent low light images. Those lenses are going to be much faster then the Tamron you were considering. That may be something to look into. I think they are going to be around the budget you were thinking of.

Those both look great- unfortunately, we're going mid-September, and they're not available until October.

 

[SkaGoat]

Hello, all-

Here's my dilemma. I have a t3i, but only have the kit lenses- I'm considering buying the Tamron 18-250 for an all-in-one lens to tote around the park, as well as a nifty fifty- I figure the 2 of those will run about 500-550.

Would my money be better spent getting a good point and shoot? If so, do you have any recommendations?

Anyone have experience with the Tamron lens?

Thanks!

So I just priced it out on B & H,

Canon 50mm f/1.8 $125
Tamron AF18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD AF $449

I think I'd go for the lenses, the 50mm f/1.8 is a steal at $125, it's made of plastic, but it's got great IQ, and is fast.

and the Tamron is a good lens for the price too, it's 18 - 270 on EF-S cameras, and has image stabilization

 

[hakepb]

The Canon G15 is last year's long-overdue update to the G12 launched several years back.
It looks like the G16 has the same sensor and fast lens, just adds wifi and the Digic6 processor for a bit cleaner high ISO and faster performance.

If your OK missing those features, you should be able to score a model year-end deal.

In the long run faster lens(es) would be a better option. You mentioned MNSSHP, as an evening event in a much more dimly lit MK than normal, you'd pretty much be stuck using the 50 f/1.8 all night. Would you be comfortable (stepping back) and taking all parade and character meet and greet pictures at what is basically full zoom on your kit 18-55mm lens?

 

[CarpeLiberum]

In the long run faster lens(es) would be a better option. You mentioned MNSSHP, as an evening event in a much more dimly lit MK than normal, you'd pretty much be stuck using the 50 f/1.8 all night. Would you be comfortable (stepping back) and taking all parade and character meet and greet pictures at what is basically full zoom on your kit 18-55mm lens?

That is a very good question, and one I'll have to ponder(briefly) Hmmm...

 

[traylorc]

Personally I would stick with the SLR... While point and shoots have their place, but I like the flexibility provided by an SLR and few lenses. IMHO WDW is a very challenging place to shoot, you experience a variety of lighting conditions. The SLR gives you more options to combat a variety of different settings.