Canon vs Tamron lense

[South Woods]

The wife wants a bigger lense for camera. I know nothing about her camera or lenses, but I see a decent price difference between the Canon and Tamron. Is there a performance gap also, or at least to justify the price difference. She mainly takes pictures of our kids. Thoughts??

[landscaper]

I hesitate to call it a "knock off" but for the lack of a better word that is basically what you get when you stray from the Canon lenses. Sigma, a Canon knock off, makes some good lenses, but will tell you themselves that you run about a 50/50 chance of getting a lemon. Tamron also puts out some good lenses, but they are basically a Sigma knock off...knock off of a knock off. That being said, for day-to-day snap shots I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Sigma, and I would be inclined to consider a Tamron as well because you will likely get a lens that will fit your needs, and if it craps out on you you can probably buy another one and still have about the same money in it as a more expensive lens.

You can also check here http://www.lensrentals.com periodically for quality used lenses for sale. That's where I've bought a couple good Canon lenses.

[teul2]

Also, rent some lenses before you invest in a high dollar lens. You get to try several for not much money, and can make a better decision long term.

[bullsprig]

i put the tamron 18-270 on my wife canon and on my mothers as well. takes great pictures. i have had zero trouble. i have 2 L series lenses and i enjoy shooting the tamron for "everyday" shots.

[MemphisStockBroker]

If you are just shooting your kids for the fun of it, an off-brand lens will be fine. But dont buy their cheap line.

Almost every lens manufacturer makes a cheap version, and a better quality. If the lens sells for $150 -- i would probably stay away from it.

I have several Tokina lenses from their pro series, and they are a tank. I have used my 300mm 2.8 at Jr's football games, and at NASCAR races, and the quality has been excellent. Do a search on e-bay for "Tokina Pro"...

If you are going larger than 300mm, then stick with the name brand. Just go to the bank and get a loan first.

[GordonGekko]

Do your research, I have a Tamrom 28-75 f2.8 that is a cracker jack little lens, will definitely hang pretty close with the Canon L version for about half the price...but for big lenses I would try to stay away from third party lenses if I could afford it. I have owned a few sigma's and they have the highest failure rate of any lens (Tamron and Tokina are much better if my memory serves me). I have a little Canon 70-300 IS that I'm thinking about selling if you're interested. It isn't an "L" lens but it will take a might fine shot, I think gator uses one, or he used to at least.

[MudHog]

[teul2]

[landscaper]

All three of my shots in this month's contest were taken with the 70-300. Great lens.

[GordonGekko]

[GordonGekko]

Okay, no replies so I will be listing this lens in the classifieds over the weekend. I think my prices were a tad high, so I will go for $325 w/o the lens cap and $350 with. Prices are to your doorstep insured, standard ground shipping.