Lens comparison

[Fedgrub]

Hi everyone,

About to buy a 7D, and want the 28-105mm f/4L, but can't afford that right now. Until I save up some money, I'm trying to decide between the 18-135mm or the 18-200mm.

Anyone use either of these, and is one significantly better than the other? Leaning towards the 18-200mm because of the focal length, but don't want to get it if it is a slightly lower quality or has some disadvantages I am unaware of.

http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=2367

http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=2214

Thanks

[Tannin]

Both lenses suffer from the lack of a proper USM focus motor. Neither one is cheap, both have very long focal length ranges (which means something else has had to be sacrificed), but the 18-200 suffers more. Superzooms never do anything very well.

Your best bet is probably the very well-regarded 15-85, which pretty much everyone likes. It has as big a focal length range as it's possible to have without degrading image quality, it has excellent build quality, and a proper USM focus motor. Reasonably priced at around $999 Australian retail or $700 grey market import. What's not to like?

[Bennymiata]

Sigma make some pretty good lenses in this catagory too so don't discount these either.

You can get the 24-105 L lens for under a grand from many of the grey importers.

[Speedway]

I did a lot of research on similar lenses and finished up buying the sigma 18-250 and am very happy with it. See here (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?84049-SA-Dirt-Kart-Titles) and here (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?84267-A-busy-weekend.). The sigma is the only one with the HSM (Equivalent to the Canon USM) motor and has a very quick response in AI servo 8fps mode.
Keith.

[Fedgrub]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. I might take a look into the L from other grey importers first. Any good directions you can point me to, Benny?

[Speedway]

Digital Rev a is site supporter and a reliable grey importer. Use the sponsors tab on the top of the page to link to them that way any purchase gives support to the site as well.
Keith.

[Pine]

The Canon 70-200L F4 lens is also a great choice as its reasonably cheap and crisp sharp.
Further I also agree with Tannin that the Canon 15-85 is a great lens.

If I started over I would start off with these two lenses. :rolleyes:

Regards