i need advice 28-300mm lens

[Paul690]

Please can i ask for some help, i would like to buy a 28-300mm lens for my Sony Alpha and i am not sure if to buy the Tamron marco, or the cheaper Sigma? I have a 70-300mm Sigma and very happy with it really?
What is the difference and what is the better lens?

Thansk Paul

[DonSchap]

Originally Posted by Paul690

What is the difference and what is the better lens?

Thanks, Paul

Hey, Paul ...

For the SONY, the TAMRON or SIGMA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 is the best lens in its class. Forget the 28-300mm ... because it is an "older" design, has a rougher time getting a sharp focusing and was originally designed for use on a full frame camera (DSLR or Film). It really is not as nice as the newer 18-250mm designs.

There is your advice through experience.

Now, some background between the two lenses you are wondering about.

You did not mention what kind of SONY you are shooting, but I am going to assume it is an APS-C sensor DSLR (A100, A200, A230, A300, A330, A350, A380, A500, A550 or A700) and not the Full Frame sensor DSLR (A850 or A900).

First off, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is a "standard" telephoto lens design for full frame cameras. It will work quite well on APS-C sensor cameras, too, effectively shooting a 105-450mm looking shot on the smaller sensor DSLR. These focal lengths are measured and stay the same, regardless of the focus distance (distance to subject).

On the other hand, the "super-zoom" 18-200, 18-250, 28-200, and 28-300 (super zoom class) are a little more peculiar ... as their longer focal lengths depend directly on the focus distance.

Let's say your subject is standing 10-feet away. These super-zoom lens get to about a 135mm focal length when they focus, even though the lens is at MAX zoom length and it says 200, 250, or 300 on the zoom ring (depending on which lens you have). If your subject gets further away and you refocus, the focal length of the super zoom will automatically lengthen and keep the subject looking pretty much the same size, until about 27-feet, where the lens' focal length maxes out ... and that is considered to be at "infinity focus."

Now, the 70-300 lens does not act like that. If your subject is the minimum focus distance (5-ft) from the lens, when you set it to 300mm, it is a REAL 300mm focal length. There is no goofy change in focal length, as you refocus on the subject. The subject just gets smaller as it gets further away from your camera, as you would expect it to.

It is best to witness this first hand, by comparing the lenses.

Again, the 18-250 is a superior lens in its class ... and is often referred to as the "all-in-one" lens. Just know that it acts different than most standard lenses do, because of a few compromises had to be made for it to be this flexible. As a one lens solution, if you have no others, it is outstanding. You should also use an external flash unit with if you plan to use it indoors. Either the HVL-F42AM or HVL-F58AM

The 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is not considered an indoor lens because of its minimum focus distance (M.F.D.), which is a minimum of 5-ft ... and the fact that it is considered a "dark" lens, due to its maximum aperture of f/5.6 at full draw (250-300mm).

I hope this helps. You really should try both of these lenses, side-by-side.

By the way, the M.F.D. of the 18-250 lens is a mere 18-inches ... and possibly being that close to your subject is great for an indoor shot.

[bono]

Because you state you allready own a telezoom I would recommend to have a look at the Sony 16-105. This is said to be a rather good lens. But have a look at http://www.dyxum.com/ they have a huge lens database.

About Sigma lenses on Sony: They tend to have problems with the strong AF motor in the Sony SLRs so they ar known to be broken quite often. This does not appy to the HSM lenses though.

[Paul690]

Can i just say thanks for the help so far, it has helped me to understand the difference. and i am now looking for a 18-250mm for my Sony Alpha 350. I know this is not the best of camera's but it was a good way to get me started in DSLR's
I did manage to pick up a 28-300mm Tamron but it is an old one got it for about £135 but it is very very slow at focusing...! and i am not to happy with it. So it has to go again.

I would like to know tho, what is better the Tamron or the Sigma, as my NEW Sigma 70-300mm is great, fast focus and great shots?

[Paul690]

just one more question, would the 18-200mm Tamron lens be ok? they are much cheaper and i all ready have a 70-300mm Sigma

[bono]

If you own a 70-300 you should buy a lens that covers 70mm and lower or leave a small gap. You could try the Sony 16-105 that I recommended or the Tamron 17-50 f/2,8 which is said to be very good. But it is a question of your budget.