which lens - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

02/14/2011 09:01:31 AM · #1

looking at lenses to replace my kit lens and 55-250

canon EF-s 18-200 f3.5-5.6 $589

sigma 18-200 f3.5 - 6.3 $369

both are IS version.

is the canon that much of a better lens to justify to $200+ price point? i see the sigma is slower at the long end, but will it make that much of a difference?

giantmike

Canon EOS R6

02/14/2011 10:03:50 AM · #2

I haven't used either lens, but a quick glance at comparison and the Canon definitely wins in my book.

The larger aperture at the long end is a big selling point for me.
The Canon's angle of view is wider (so at 18mm, it will capture more of the scene).
The Canon lens has image stabilization. I didn't see that on the Sigma.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

02/14/2011 10:06:21 AM · #3

What's the goal of changing lenses? Are you wanting to gain performance, or just looking to swap two lenses for one?

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

02/14/2011 10:07:53 AM · #4

I wouldn't buy either. I don't like lenses that don't have ring-type ultrasonic focusing motors. They are slow to focus, they are noisy, and they don't have full-time manual focus available; you have to throw a switch to get manual focus. Your 24-85 is a USM motor.

Why are you determined to have a superzoom? More than 3x zoom range introduces optical compromises, as a rule of thumb, and that's better than 10x zoom.

But this is just my personal bias, others won't agree.

R.

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/14/2011 10:16:43 AM · #5

I agree with Fritz and Robert. What are your purposes for looking at these lenses in the first place? An 18-200 does have its place, and it can be a great addition, but it isn't without its drawbacks, either.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

02/14/2011 10:18:09 AM · #6

Just buy a 200 f/2.8 prime and be done with it. :)

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

02/14/2011 10:24:31 AM · #7

I find when i'm out an about my 55-250 wont go as wide as i need it to and my 18-55 kit lens wont go as long.

so yes, im trying to swap out two for one, since i spend too much time changing back and forth. i plan to upgrade my camera and sell off the old equipment, i was going to opt to buy a body only and pick a versitile lens to go with it. the canon 18-135 kits lens may be OK, but i don't want to wish i could go longer.

i don't really care about full time manual focus, since the only time i use it is with a tripod and live view anyway. flipping a switch isn't a big deal, nor is AF noise.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/14/2011 10:33:47 AM · #8

You'll find that the ring will also rotate when the body is autofocusing the lens, so your hold will be...somewhat awkward. Having said that, so long as you realize there are compromises in the lens I think you'll be happy with it. Don't expect it to be sharper across the same range, because it won't be. You'll have more of a reason to stop down, as a result, as well, so having the extra bit of speed on the tele end is definitely going to be advantageous. My experience with most Sigma lenses is that they are a bit softer overall (excepting my prime), so these things will be compound on the Sigma you're looking at. I also generally stay away from the lower grade Sigma's, sticking with the EX series. So, having said that, I'd lean towards the Canon.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

02/14/2011 10:42:36 AM · #9

i don't want to compromise image quality over what i currently have. if that's the case I'd rather opt for the 18-135 kit lens and get a bit more length and just keep my 55-250 for when i need it. i don't want to spend $600 for convenience alone.

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/14/2011 10:51:19 AM · #10

DPreview doesn't have a 55-200 review up, but here's the 18-200 vs 18-55. 18-200 vs 18-55
Anytime you get into that big of a zoom range you face compromises, unless there is a LOT of R&D and cost. It's a nature of the growing complexity that is a consequence of such a design. Hard to keep things peachy with that many variables at play.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

02/14/2011 11:12:24 AM · #11

I remember when I bought my first DSLR (Canon 10D) in 2003. I bought the Canon 28-200, thinking this would be an acceptable first lens. I was certainly aware of the optical compromises involved, but I also was aware that there had been significant progress in design of zoom lenses.
I was not prepared for the degree of optical compromise that the lens represented, when combined with the ability to "pixel peep," something we rarely did with film. Once I had the opportunity to try out better glass, I was astounded at the difference in the quality of the files the 10D produced. Now, the 10D never did produce really crisp results (too strong an AA filter) but the difference in the glass was still really substantial.
Given today's sensors, which have both greater pixel density and better acuity (per-pixel sharpness), the differences in glass will be even more apparent.
Bottom line, I'd never go this route, because I could not stand the IQ hit. But that is a matter of personal choice.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

02/14/2011 11:14:17 AM · #12

wow, thanks for that! comparing the two 18-200 its seems the sigma performs better at the wider focal lengths but really falls off at the longer lengths.

it also seems that neither perform as well as the 18-55 with the exception of the long end.

i wish it had the 18-135 to compare.

RamblinR

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

02/14/2011 03:27:18 PM · #13

I had a copy of the 18-200 but found the images to soft for my liking.

Here's a couple of sites with lens reviews (roll to the bottom of digital picture to get a list of all the lenses)

Digitial picture
SLR Gear

Message edited by author 2011-02-14 15:28:20.

Zeissman

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

02/14/2011 07:35:26 PM · #14

Rockwell Review

swati825

02/15/2011 02:31:21 AM · #15

I want to replace lens of canon.Please suggest me which is the best.

bjoern

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/15/2011 03:03:23 AM · #16

Originally posted by giantmike:

The Canon's angle of view is wider (so at 18mm, it will capture more of the scene).

How's that? Both are 18 mm. On the same camera there should not be any relevant difference.

bjoern

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/15/2011 03:05:36 AM · #17

Originally posted by swati825:

I want to replace lens of canon.Please suggest me which is the best.

Some context please. What lens do you want to replace and why?

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

02/15/2011 09:23:15 AM · #18

Originally posted by mike_311:

I find when i'm out an about my 55-250 wont go as wide as i need it to and my 18-55 kit lens wont go as long.

I bought a lightly used 18-135 recently and I am very pleased with it as a walkabout lens. The focal range is perfect. Very attractively priced on the used market, since it is a kit lens that comes with several models. I got mine for $250 USD from someone who had upgraded to L glass.