Lens Advice/Suggestions

[navmatt]

I'm sure this has probably been answered somewhere on these forums, but I'm still pretty new to photography as anything more than just shooting in Auto mode.

I have an older Rebel XT that I've been taking pictures with for the last couple years, recently I've become interested in more of the photography aspects and have been trying to educate myself as much as possible.

I have the 18-55mm lens that came in the kit and am finding it lacking for distance shots, so I'd like to get a new lens with better zoom. Here's the thing, I'd really like to only need to carry one lens right now. Most of the time I'm shooting when I take the dogs for a walk in the woods or down to the river, and my hands are already fairly full. I've come across a couple lenses that I think fit the bill and all seem to have good reviews. I'd like image stabilization so I can avoid carrying a mono or tri-pod for the same reason I'd like to only carry one lens.

The lenses I've been considering are (not in order):
Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF)

Can anyone make any recommendations one way or the other? Or to other alternatives?

Thanks!

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by navmatt

The lenses I've been considering are (not in order):
Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
Tamron AF18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical (IF)

Can anyone make any recommendations one way or the other? Or to other alternatives?

I recommend Sigma for faster auto focus (with HSM) or Tamron for longer reach.