Canon 70-300 VS Sigma 18-250 ???

[gtirman]

My first post so be kind to me eh?

I have been offered one of 2 lenses to purchase for my upcoming overseas trip

Canon EF 70-300MM f/4-5.6 IS USM [Kit lense i think ]

OR

Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC OS

I would be interested in your tips and thoughts on which one you would choose...and why ?
Money is not the issue here.....buying the best one of the two is. :]

Cheers in advance

[chris-p]

Welcome to the forum

It's impossible to say without knowing more information about what lenses you already have and what camera. But... I'd have the 70-300mm. It's not a kit lens, it's Canons entry level long tele. The Sigma is a "superzoom" type lens, of which I'm not a fan.

As I said though, it depends on what you've already got and what you want to shoot...

[greenwing]

Not a fan of superzooms, either, but if it's your only lens & what you're shooting includes landscape, architecture or interiors, it would have to be the Sigma if those were the only choices.

Chris

[gtirman]

Thanx both Chris's for replying.:}

Presently i have a 40D & a 50D and lenses Tokina 11-16 f2.8 wide angle, Sigma 150 -500
and the Canon 17-85 that came with the 40D
I shoot mainly landscapes and wildlife 95% with 5% going to people/general things.
As i go to alot of desert destinations i am trying to reduce my" changing lenses" all the time routine with a lense that covers between the Tokkie and bazooka Sigma.

Hope this sheds some light on which lense of the two.

Your thoughts ?
Cheers John

[chris-p]

Hmmm. Given your range of lenses and the gap you want to cover I wouldn't buy either of those you've listed. If it was my money, I'd replace the Canon 17-85mm with something like the Sigma 18-125mm or the Canon 28-135mm.
They would both bring your middle lens closer to the 150-500mm and you'd still have your Tokina for wideangle work.

Then I'd use the Tokina on one body, the Sigma on the other (if 95% of your work is either wildlife or landscape) and you've got the middle covered (in one lens rather than 2) when you need it.

[gtirman]

I love this sight already !! LOL Thanks so much Chris for that great tip....i'll look into those lenses as an option.

So how i see it would be to take my WA lense at all times [a must ] and one of your suggested lenses?. The bazooka Sigma 150-500 is only taken on certain trips [Africa= yes, Gobi desert=no ]
I could get my travel bag down to 2 lenses [sometimes 3 ] which would be handy due to weight as i sometimes walk 50 kilometres in a day. A big blessing.

[ap4a]

If it was me I'd make use of the 17-85 while saving for something of a substantially higher quality to replace it with, rather than just something with a little longer focal range.

However, if those are your choices these reviews may help you decide which to go for:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

[chris-p]

If it was me, that's what I would do. I don't see the point in duplicating focal lengths unless you get something else for it (say a fast aperture or similar).

If you use the Tokina most of the time, I'd keep it on whatever you use as your primary body (50D?) and bolt whichever of the other lenses you're likely to use onto the other camera. You could still carry the 3rd lens if you needed to as you're already carrying 3 lenses.

If I was spending your money you'd end up with either:
Tokina 11-16mm
Sigma 18-125mm
Sigma 150-500mm

or

Tokina 11-66mm
Canon 17-35mm
Canon 70-300 OR Sigma 150-500mm

It depends on how much telephoto work you do without the Sigma. You could go for the Canon 70-300mm and keep the 17-85mm. If so, I'd then carry either the 70-300mm or the 150-500mm. It's still 3 lenses but you get more telephoto options when you're not carrying the Sigma.

[gtirman]

Chris, i think your option one above is the way to go and will start on finding the Sigma.
Thank again fellas for all your inputs......it got me out of the tunnel vision for a super zoom and onto something a bit more usable given the other lenses i have.

Happy travels :}

[chris-p]

Glad we could be of help. Why not stick around and post some shots with the new Sigma?