Now I need a new lens...but which one?

[roselark]

Ok, so I now have my camera (Canon Rebel XSi), the kit lens (18-55) a bag I like (Crumpler 5MDH) and now I want to start looking for a new lens with a higher zoom. I want to have one in time for my trip to WDW the 3rd week of October, but I want to decide on a lens soon so I can watch prices.

Here is what I am looking at right now:
Canon 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 - about $250.
Canon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 - about $550
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.6 - about $600 ($530 after $70 rebate available through 12/31)

Initially, I was planning on going with the Canon 55-250 as an initial purchase and just swap it out with the kit lens whenever I needed the additional zoom. After reading more, however, I am wondering if I should just spend the extra money and get one of the other lenses with wider ranges and just replace the kit lens as a walk-around lens.

I am very much a newbie and I will be working on my general photography skills for some time (possibly years). My skills are no where close to needing an L lens and I am wondering if I should also wait to purchase of the more expensive lenses I have listed above.

I will also be purchasing the Canon 50mm f/1.8 at some point soon.

Any opinions?

 

[Frantasmic]

All your choices are good ones.

I really like my 55-250mm because of it's stabilization.

Many of us XSiers have that lens.

Another one that I have seen that is highly touted is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-200mm-Telephoto-Zoom-Cameras/dp/B000053HH5

It's a reasonable L lens (the least expensive one they make, I think) and it gets solid reviews around the web. I can't remember if any poster here has it, but I'm fairly sure I've seen someone here who has used it in the past.

 

[bob100]

Ok, so I now have my camera (Canon Rebel XSi), the kit lens (18-55) a bag I like (Crumpler 5MDH) and now I want to start looking for a new lens with a higher zoom. I want to have one in time for my trip to WDW the 3rd week of October, but I want to decide on a lens soon so I can watch prices.

Here is what I am looking at right now:
Canon 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 - about $250.
Canon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 - about $550
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.6 - about $600 ($530 after $70 rebate available through 12/31)

Initially, I was planning on going with the Canon 55-250 as an initial purchase and just swap it out with the kit lens whenever I needed the additional zoom. After reading more, however, I am wondering if I should just spend the extra money and get one of the other lenses with wider ranges and just replace the kit lens as a walk-around lens.

I am very much a newbie and I will be working on my general photography skills for some time (possibly years). My skills are no where close to needing an L lens and I am wondering if I should also wait to purchase of the more expensive lenses I have listed above.

I will also be purchasing the Canon 50mm f/1.8 at some point soon.

Any opinions?

I have the 55-250IS - a great lens for the $$
I would not get a wider range telezoom like the Tamron 18-270 VC, they don't have the same image quality as the 18-55IS and 55-250
check reviews and comments on www.photography-on-the.net/forum

 

[KarenAylwood]

I shoot with the Canon XSi (I've had it a year now!) and just ordered the Crumpler 5MDH

I have the 18-200mm and absolutely love it. I hardly ever change lenses now unless I want to shoot macro (have the Canon 100mm f/2.8) or if I need something for low light (Sigma 30mm f/1.4). My main walkaround lens is the 18-200mm.

I had looked at the 55-250 and decided to go for the 18-200mm because I figured I'd end up wanting it anyway. I made the same decision with the 30mm f/1.4- was going to buy the cheaper 50mm f/1.8 but figured I'd eventually want the f/1.4 so I might as well jump in and get that.

My friend has the 55-250mm and told me he wished he had gotten my lens- he's getting really tired of changing lenses all the time.

I go on vacations or day trips a lot and when I don't want to carry much with me, the 18-200 is perfect. When I'm on a trip and doing a lot of walking I like to just be able to snap pics rather than think about whether or not I'd need a telephoto for something. If I was doing mostly nature photography or something like that, I'd go for the 55-250mm. I guess I just hate to see a moment and miss it because I was changing lenses. I'll get another telephoto eventually but that works for me right now. (eye on the 28-70 f/2.8L or 28-105 f/4.0L!)

I posted some pictures and a description here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2251797&page=2

Also, both the 55-250 and the 18-200mm have the image stabilization (earlier poster said they liked the 55-250 for stabilization). Some will argue 55-250 will have better quality but I've loved the quality that I've seen from my lens and the versatility is great. If I wanted a huge jump in image quality I'd look at L series.

 

[wdwwishes]

I have the Canon 18--200 and love it. It's my favorite above the L series 24--70 lens that I have. The 18--200 has a great range from wide but not super wide to telephoto. While the Tamaron might go a bit further, I 've always heard there's something to be said about using the lenses made by your body's manufacturer. That's just opinoins. Between the 3 that you're debating, I'd go first with the 18--200 by Canon and then the Tamaron one. Go to a camera shop, put the lenses on your camera and see what you like. Have fun with your purchase. It's always fun to get a new "toy"!

 

[roselark]

Anyone have any experience with the Tamron 18-270? The reviews I am seeing are placing this one just slightly above the Canon 18-200 overall, though there are strengths and weaknesses in both. Also, the Tamron has a 6 year warranty compared to the 1 year on the Canon...it is also cheaper (after the rebate).

Edit: The Tamron also comes with a hood included. The Canon doesn't.

 

[VVFF]

Anyone have any experience with the Tamron 18-270? The reviews I am seeing are placing this one just slightly above the Canon 18-200 overall, though there are strengths and weaknesses in both. Also, the Tamron has a 6 year warranty compared to the 1 year on the Canon...it is also cheaper (after the rebate).

Edit: The Tamron also comes with a hood included. The Canon doesn't.

What's most important to you?

1. One lens for everything
2. Image Quality
3. Low light/handheld/low DOF pictures
4. "reach"(how far into telephoto)
5. Budget

Decide which of these are most important to you. I think that will give you a good idea in what direction you should go for your lenses. For instance, for me low light and high image quality was #1. This drove my purchase.