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Which tele / 70-300 ?

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BenA300

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Please don't hurl rotten fruit at me for a potentially already-thoroughly-well-discussed topic!

Been trying to average discussions about which tele lens might suit for shots of the kids in the back yard to landscapes and even macro. On a ~$200 budget.
1. the census seems to be wary of Sigma for the gear issues.
2. Tamron well liked (Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens? ~$160 new)
3. Beercans well liked. (70-210 or the BigBeercan. Getting expensive huh?)
4. What about the Sony 70-300??? ($230 new)

Would a hobbyist (who peeks at those pixels from time to time) be well pleased with IQ on the Tamron? I like the extra reach if IQ and Marco capabilities are still there.

The Sony has the reach but not sure about IQ or Macro on this one - haven't even seen this lens mentioned in the forum it doesn't seem..... is this long Sony 'Kit' lens inferior to the Tamron?

Thanks in advance for your advice. If anyone has some favorite shots with the Tamron I would be super-appreciative if you don't mind sharing.

Thanks so much, Ben.
 
I would go for the BBC unless you can live with 210mm max, then I would get the Beercan. Both of these have far better IQ than the other lenses. And, the Beercan is f4 throughout which might be a plus in low light situations.
--
AEH
http://aehass.zenfolio.com/
Question: What do you do all week?
Answer: Mon to Fri. Nothing, Sat & Sun I rest!
 
I've owned all lenses mentioned except Sony. The Big Beercan is the best IMO. Sold Tamron (high CA), only use Sigma on A100 (gear problems). I've been tracking ebay prices on this lens since March and it appears prices go up and down. Average is $260. Prices here (I may have missed a couple):
http://home.comcast.net/~pheanix/bb.htm
--
From the original Pheanix:
'Shoot first (pictures that is); ask questions later'
Keith (me) - the original pheanix
 
and I was satisfied with the results. They usually go for about or less than $100. The newer DG version was the one reported with some stripped gearing problems.
gil
--
**************
Cheap Lens, JPG and 100% Handholding Provocateur
 
I went through a similar debate and chose the Sigma. Two things made my situation different. First, the gear issue with Sigmas hadn't come yet. Second, I needed to buy a new lens. I have been decently happy with the Sigma. From f8 and beyond the lens is pretty sharp. I've had no reliability issues with it on my a700. The picture quality clearly seemed to superior to the Sony or the Tamron.

I agree with going with the BBC if you need the range. I'm looking to upgrade from the Sigma, and I'm considering the BBC. I really need the 300 range. My only real complaints with the Sigma are needing to be at f8 to be sharp and the lack of contrast in shots with bright light. I find it overexposes about 0.3 EV on my a700 if I'm shooting in A, S, or P. (Mostly in A).

Of course, my other thought is to get the G lens and have the perfect companion for my 16-80. But, that will require saving my pennies a bit longer. ;)
--
yakkosmurf
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yakkosmurf/
 
I got mine on Ebay for $225 shipping included, but the BBC is getting harder to find. If you go on Ebay look very close at the pictures some will say no flaws but I have noticed on a few small imperfections like specs where it appears a small spot where the coating is off. Very good lens here are some samples I took with the BBC and my a200 cropping and a little PP was done. Any flaws were on my part still learning.







These were taken at the San Diego River.

Gene
 
Hi Ben,

I have the Tamron 70-300 for my A700. There are much better zooms out there, but for the money, it is not bad at all. Here is a link to some pics I took at the Airshow at Fairchild AFB. It was over cast most of the day, but some of these may give you an idea about this lens.

http://ront.smugmug.com/gallery/5754159_x8pR6#P-1-12

Ron

--
Shine On...
 
Hi Ben

Go with number three of save up more money. The others just don't cut it for image quality.
BenA300 said:
Please don't hurl rotten fruit at me for a potentially
already-thoroughly-well-discussed topic!
Been trying to average discussions about which tele lens might suit
for shots of the kids in the back yard to landscapes and even macro.
On a ~$200 budget.
1. the census seems to be wary of Sigma for the gear issues.
2. Tamron well liked (Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens?
~$160 new)
3. Beercans well liked. (70-210 or the BigBeercan. Getting
expensive huh?)
4. What about the Sony 70-300??? ($230 new)

Would a hobbyist (who peeks at those pixels from time to time) be
well pleased with IQ on the Tamron? I like the extra reach if IQ and
Marco capabilities are still there.
The Sony has the reach but not sure about IQ or Macro on this one -
haven't even seen this lens mentioned in the forum it doesn't
seem..... is this long Sony 'Kit' lens inferior to the Tamron?

Thanks in advance for your advice. If anyone has some favorite shots
with the Tamron I would be super-appreciative if you don't mind
sharing.

Thanks so much, Ben.
Click to expand...
 
GetReal said:
Hi Ben
Go with number three of save up more money. The others just don't cut
it for image quality.
Click to expand...
Your standards may be higher than other people's needs. You only need as much IQ as necessary, and cheaper lenses definitely can cut it.

If money were no object, the new Sony 70-300 SSM sounds great! I just can't bring myself to spend that much money....
GetReal said:
BenA300 said:
Please don't hurl rotten fruit at me for a potentially
already-thoroughly-well-discussed topic!
Been trying to average discussions about which tele lens might suit
for shots of the kids in the back yard to landscapes and even macro.
On a ~$200 budget.
1. the census seems to be wary of Sigma for the gear issues.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
That aside, photos posted from this seem very sharp.
GetReal said:
GetReal said:
2. Tamron well liked (Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens?
~$160 new)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
The Tamron/Sony 55-200 is very good, and priced well. I think it's a 1:4 macro, but don't quote me on that. I think you can shoot flowers and get closer than some lenses, but for bugs, it may not be close enough.

I've had good results from this. My only dislike is that sometimes I want 300mm (or more?).....

For kids in the backyard, I'd think you'd be better off with a 55-200 range than a 70-300.
GetReal said:
GetReal said:
3. Beercans well liked. (70-210 or the BigBeercan. Getting
expensive huh?)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
As much as the Beercan popularity has driven the price up, it still seems like a reasonable deal. And the BBC just seems hard to find. I really wanted to consider that one.
GetReal said:
GetReal said:
4. What about the Sony 70-300??? ($230 new)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I think you're missing...

5. 100-300 APO, which I just bought for just over $250. Nice. I don't think it'll do macro though -- it doesn't focus too closely.
GetReal said:
GetReal said:
Would a hobbyist (who peeks at those pixels from time to time) be
well pleased with IQ on the Tamron? I like the extra reach if IQ and
Marco capabilities are still there.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I've seen reviews of various xx-300 lenses that always complain that it's a bit "soft at 300 with the aperture wide open", so I am prone to be a bit nervous about the results. Meanwhile, people have commented that the 100-300 APO is pretty sharp wide open. I also like the smaller size. So, I've leaned towards that one.

.....
GetReal said:
GetReal said:
Thanks in advance for your advice. If anyone has some favorite shots
with the Tamron I would be super-appreciative if you don't mind
sharing.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I've got a couple of shots from the Tamron 55-200 if interested...

--
Gary W.
 
Wow - great info everyone - thank you so much. The sample images are wonderful. Honestly, I was very impressed with the images from the air show given the lack of light on that overcast day. Not sure if my 300 would handle those conditions/speed like the 700 but those shots were really impressive.

Gary, I would love to see some images from that Tamron 55-200 if you can.

Thanks again all. I am very appreciative of this forum and the willingness to share knowledge/insight. I look forward to becoming a seasoned Sony veteran and 'giving back'. Ben.
 
BenA300 said:
4. What about the Sony 70-300??? ($230 new)
Click to expand...
Sony 70-300 is by far the best but it costs about $800 new in US.

The 75-300 which you probably refer to I believe is worse optically from the Sigma or beercan (beercan is a bit strange & tricky - you get killer pictures, but also some ruined from aberrations).
 
BenA300 said:
Wow - great info everyone - thank you so much. The sample images are
wonderful. Honestly, I was very impressed with the images from the
air show given the lack of light on that overcast day. Not sure if
my 300 would handle those conditions/speed like the 700 but those
shots were really impressive.

Gary, I would love to see some images from that Tamron 55-200 if you
can.
Click to expand...
....

I used it at an airshow, although sometimes along with a 1.7 teleconverter (which didn't work out so well, as autofocus goes away, and quality diminishes). My problem with the airshow is that there were many times where I needed/wanted more than 200mm, so this wasn't the ideal range for that job. Or for photographing birds. If photographing at airshows is a primary goal, look for a longer lens. But if it's all you have....



(I can't remember if that is with or without a teleconverter.)

At the short end, it's f4.0 or f4.5 for quite a while, which is handy.



Here's an almost macro example.



The bokeh isn't the best, but it's subjective. I find the lens pleasant to use, up until I want something more than 200mm.

(I've got a few airshow pics at http://www.computingbits.com/gallery/airshow/ if it helps.)

--
Gary W.
 
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