Panasonic fz-30 vs 18-200mm

[bindibadgi]

I know it's a strange question.

I have a Pano fz30 and I'm about to take the plunge and get a Canon 30D. What I can't decide is the lens I want.

I'm planning on getting the 50mm f/1.8 II in any case, but if I can do it on a (tight) budget, then I wouldn't mind a zoom as well. It doesn't have to be the best, I'll upgrade if I can afford it later.

Eventually I want something like this:

10-22
17-55 (or maybe 24-105)
70-200

But for now I can't even afford any of those. So I was thinking. Would it be worthwhile getting say a Tamron 18-200 alongside the 50 1.8? Would I be disappointed coming from the fz30?

My fz30 pics do look a little soft to me. It could be for any number of reasons, but I don't want to move to a disappointing lens.

Thanks in advance (especially to those with experience of the fz30 AND the 18-200).

[hsroxas]

Bindibadgi:
I currently am using a Tamron 18-200 with my 30D and previously with a 300D (Digital Rebel) and appreciates the small/light lens/zoom range you get with the lens. It is specifically nice when you want to carry your gear very light and unsure of the focal range that you will need. In my experience, it works well when stopped down to f8/f11 as most consumer type lenses do. For low light situations, however, and better image quality, I rely on my 17-55 f2.8 IS USM. I pair this with a 70-200 f4L IS USM when traveling very light nor changing lenses is a primary concern.

[bindibadgi]

Thanks hsroxas.

It's encouraging to hear that you still use the Tamron even though you have the 17-55 and the 70-200. I assume then that you are happy with the sharpness and the focus accuracy?

I appreciate that most consumer grade lenses and pretty much every "superzoom lens" needs to be stopped down somewhat to be sharp, so that's part of the reason why my idea of a starting lineup includes the 50 1.8. Even though the 80mm equivalent length is not extremely flexible, at least it will perform well in low light.

Oh, and by the way, I have quite a good tripod, so for non-moving subjects (most of my work) the slow aperture of the zoom won't present too much of a problem, so long as I'm happy with a big DoF. I do a lot of landscape so f8-f11 will be my staple anyway.

[omega]

You could consider a cheaper camera and better lenses.

[bindibadgi]

Good advice omega, but I think I already took it. :)

I just purchased a 20D second hand (it hasn't arrived yet but I'm waiting eagerly), along with the 50mm f/1.8 and a Tamron 70-300. It's coming with a few filters, about 4Gig of CF cards, lens hoods and an extra battery and it only set me back US$900 for the lot. Now I can look at getting some better glass.

I'm thinking Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 for starters, and then I might save for a 70-200 or an ultrawide, depending on how I end up liking the Tammy 70-300 (it's actually rumoured that this lens is rebadged as the Nikon 70-300 ED and it gets some decent reviews).

[Saralonde]

Congrats on the new camera. You'll love the 20D, it's a great camera plus all the other neat toys you're getting. Woohoo, fun! Post shots so we can enjoy vicariously :D .