Multiple use lens
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Tamron 18 – 270mm f/3.5-f/6.3 DI-II VC PZD Piezo Drive Ultrasonic Motor Aspherical (IF) AF Zoom with Macro, for Canon EOS Digital SLRs See… http://www.dpreview.com/news/1012/10120905tamron18270mmpzd.asp
I am thinking of getting this lens for my western trip this year into YNP. In the past I have carried several lens and find I never have them with me when I need them. Since I am not a pro, nor will I ever be, I was thinking of getting one lens that would be with me at all times for a wide variety of outdoor photo situations. I will be using it with my Canon XTi camera.
Any thoughts on this lens?
Also, is the Piezo Drive worth the extra coin?
Thanks,
John
John, That sounds exciting. DPReview does a great job on their glass reviews.
This is just my own personal experience and take… You may also want to PM John Bennett or some of the other Canon users here on this particular lens.
My personal experience with Tamron has not been great. I have not personally used the lens you are inquiring about. However, for the money I would take a hard look at the Canon 55-250mm IS. I have shot quite a bit with this lens on both an XTi and 40D. You can find the lens usually under 300ish. It is a sharp lens. It also offers Image Stabilization. I lean away from Tamron.
Thank you for your insights. I do have one Tamron lens that orginally came with the Canon XTi but I have never liked it’s results so I never use it.
I was also considering the “Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Telephoto Zoom Lens”. I just wish it included the macro settings for real close ups when fishing. Otherwise, I guess I might carry my Point-and-click camera for macros and possible movies. That is what I did last year while on the Henry’s Fork.
I will have my family with me out West this year and one day I am taking them on a day long trail ride into YNP with just us and a guide. I am hoping to take my Canon XTi along, if I can figure out how to carry it on the horse.
I will kick in my 2¢…
Over the years, regardless of the pro vs. amateur situation, I have gravitated towards lenses with a specific purpose.
What I have found is that general use glass tends to be optimized somewhere in the middle ground. An 18-200mm zoom will be best around 100mm, and lacking both at the 18 and 200mm extremes.
While these lenses are handy, and usually produce decent results, I’ve never been happy long term with any of them.
I am like you in that I don’t carry a bag full of lenses around, but my thinking has shifted over time. Instead of being out in the field with my macro lens, and suddenly wishing I had brought my wide or telephoto – I’ve shifted towards “seeing” through the lens I decide to bring.
At the beginning of the trip, hike, or day on the water I spend a few minutes thinking about what kind of images I want to capture. Based on those goals I will take 1 or 2 lenses with me. I’ve found this actually increases the overall number of images I’m happy with at day’s end, because I actively chase my vision and the outcomes I had in mind.
With the one lens for everything approach, I found the options distracting. I would see a scene with an 18-200mm lens and have a tendency not to move my feet – simply using the zoom to fill the frame. Selecting specific glass that excels for a given purpose actually expanded my horizons. If I have a wide angle in the bag, I look more intently for compositions that benefit from exaggerated perspectives. If I’m carrying a macro, I spend more time searching for subjects and less worrying about the infinite other possibilities in my surroundings.
In addition, built-for-purpose lenses tend to simply outperform one size fits all models.
One final thought: Many photographers I know have “outgrown” the one lens for everything phase as their skill with a camera begins to exceed the limitations of the glass. When/If this happens, camera-brand lenses hold their value much better than off brands, making it easier to sell the zoom with less value loss and transition to other options.
All that being said – many of the zooms in this category offer genuine flexibility and allow you to achieve a variety of good results at a single price point. Having one lets you be prepared for a host of potential scenarios, and there’s no doubt many are plenty good enough – even for professional work – when used within their limitations.
Good luck w/ the decision!
Im with Brett. I find “all” purposes lenses too..all purpose..hard to describe.
These days, unless Im on an assignment I bring my A) lens and a B) lens. Rarely any more. A is the lens geared towards my main “objective” and B) something different.
That said.
There are probably a couple different options for you in Canons line up, it just sort of depends on budget. The 100-400 could certainly do what you want but its 2g…other like the 70-200 f4 might be in the budget and complement what you already have….A 70-300 or the newer ones Jay mentioned. In the end your expectations will determine your “satisfaction”.
Thank you all for your input. After reading the replies I think you guys have much higher expectations than many amateurs like me. I look at the reviews on Adorama and they are all positive and their photos look fine too me… http://www.adorama.com/CA70300ISNU.html
I have spent time analyzing what photos I will be taking throughout the trip to YNP, MT and SD. I can see closeups, landscape and wildlife all in the same short time frame. My thinking is I would rather try the shot then miss out, especially for my wife and kids sake.
I am now pretty sure the Canon 70-300 will be my choice.
Update: Why is Canon 70-300 L-lens $1000 more? Is the “L” version worth the extra monies?
Thanks again for all your input.
John
John, I’m not sure it’s “expectations” in exactly the way you think.
To be sure, different shooters will have higher expectations. You may think mine are pretty high and anal…I know shooters who are more “rigid” than I…Its all relative. And I am not naive enough to think there are a lot of pure hobbyist out who would estactic with photos I and others delete.Be that as it may. Any picture requires two peices of hardware..a body and a lens. Pound for pound your “lens” is more important to the end result than the body.
I always get uneasy recomending gear to people. First, not everyones expectations are the same and secondly it’s their money, not mine..and regardless its alot of money. $400 for a lens is nothing to me (relative to my other lenses) but its a lot for a “hobbyist” who cant fathom spending 2g on a lens.
One of the fastest ways to “burn” money in this “hobby” is to buy a lens and come to be disappointed. Then “upgrade” it as a result or leave it as a $500 paper weight.
Focus speed. Not all lenses are created equal and it’s very easy to miss opportunities because it’s too “slow” acquiring focus or has a habit of “hunting” for focus…And by the time said lens “locks” on, the opportunity is gone…end result..no image at all.
This is one issue I know some people have with some Tamron lenses…The Tamron 200-500 is very popular among people getting into wildlife shooting. Optically is pretty darned good and its a heck of a lot cheaper than Nikon/Canon long lenses…Many buyers eventually grow disappointed with it due it’s focus speed/hunting and “upgrade”. Others dont and remain happy with it for a long, long time. I cant make that call for someone and hence I don’t generally recommend gear to people :). I could direct someone into a lens thats expensive and I know they will like..but is “overkill”…or I could direct them to a lens they become disappointed with because it doesnt meet expectations. Of those two (imo) is “safer” to point people to the “better” lens but still…….
What makes one lens “different” than the next?
IQ (optics).
Maximum apertures
Build Quality…etc.etc..
One other note.
Take virtually all online “reviewers” with a very large grain of salt.The 70-300 L is more expensive for a few reasons.
Optics….No way around it..better optics cost
Focus speed and weather sealing
Build quality
New generation ISFor what it’s worth I think you will be pleased with the 70-300 and if that’s the range and it meets budget don’t hesitate.
John, thank you. It would be great if you could take several lens and just try them out for a day to see which one you like the best.
The photos from you and others on the IA forum are outstanding too me. I think you look at photos the way I look at code logic.
I think the 70-300 L IS is the way for me to go, which means I will probably sell my Canon 70-200 F4 lens to gain the extra 100 and take along my Canon 24mm 2.8 lens for wide landscape shots.
BTW, here was our night sky last night with thunderstorms rolling through. Really wicked looking clouds right at dark. Since it was starting to rain I didn’t dare use my tripod.
Night Sky by Wiflyfisher, on FlickrUpdate: Why is Canon 70-300 L-lens $1000 more? Is the “L” version worth the extra monies?
John
I suggest you look at the images in the Canon Lens Archives before you buy anything. Here is a link to the Canon archives. You can search for the lenses you want to see samples of. I gota warn you, this forum can give you a bad case of lens lust.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=107If you do decide to get out as cheaply as possible then also consider buying used from a reputable company with a return policy. I have used UsedcamerasOnly.com and Adarama a few times for used purchases and they have treated me extremely well. AVOID EBAY! KEH, B&H, also have a used dept and are reputable. Buying used insulates you just a little bit from losing alot of money on a lens you don’t like. Also consider renting the lens first.
I gota warn you, this forum can give you a bad case of lens lust
BTW, this is the only fly fishing forum where I drool over the photography.
In the past I have bought all my cameras, lens, etc. from Adorama.
Thanks!
If your going to go for the 70-300 L (Ive played with it, like it but imo it has some cons) Id get it, use it on the trip. Then once your home re-evaluate your kit. You can sell it or the 70-200.
/ps its a brick. Which for me was/is a major drawback. If i want a lens like that (70-300 and slow variable aperture) I want one thats light and small. This is neither
John, thank you. It would be great if you could take several lens and just try them out for a day to see which one you like the best.
Maybe this is way naive of me but would renting a lens: Say the Cannon70-300 L for your trip not be a reasonable work around on this issue. Then you get the option of trying the lens in the exact circumstances you want it for with no long term obligation and a relatively small outlay. I.E. you get to try before you buy!
If your going to go for the 70-300 L (Ive played with it, like it but imo it has some cons) Id get it, use it on the trip. Then once your home re-evaluate your kit. You can sell it or the 70-200.
/ps its a brick. Which for me was/is a major drawback. If i want a lens like that (70-300 and slow variable aperture) I want one thats light and small. This is neither
John, what lens is light and small and would work?
John S. – a few comments for you an addition to the great info posted above:
check out http://www.lensrentals.com/. I’ve used them for a couple of commercial job to rent specialty lenses and have had great luck with them. That would be a great option for a vacation trip or something to rent some good glass and try it out. I’ve also used the return policy of sites like adorama and bought 2 and sent one back after a week.
Its really hard to find a one lens does it all type of package. the 70-300 is a great lens, but one thing to understand is that on a rebel body because of the 1.6 crop factor it becomes something like a 112-480. This will be great for wildlife and things like that, but not very useful for capturing moments of a family trip – unless your doing it from the other side of the street or river! You may want to combine the 70-300 with something on the wide end – either the fixed canon 28, or maybe even the 50/1.8 (thats the best $100 you will ever spend on a lens!). If you want something with a zoom, the ef-s 17-85 is a great lens. And if you want to go really wide, the ef-s 10-22 is awesome – i even have one i’ll sell ya if your interested!!
In just the last post, you mentioned light and small, and you mentioned taking your camera along on your pack trip… that is the canon 50 1.8, light, small, and cheap. And a great walk around lens, it is the one on my camera the majority of the time. It would be the perfect lens for your pack trip.
With regards to the L glass – you need to decide where you want to go with your photos and how much you want to spend to get there. If you’re going to just be printing most of this stuff 4×6 and its just going into a family album or on facebook for others to enjoy, i would advise saving the money. If it’s going to become a serious hobby, or printing large format images, then think harder about the lenses.
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