Canon vs Sigma vs Tamron

pwhitman80 · 28th March 2009

I'm new here and new to DSLRs in general. I recently purchased Canon XS/1000D. It came with the EF-S 18-55mm IS lens, which so far, I think is a great lens. Then again, I am coming for the low megapixel P&S world. My only problem is that I wish it had more reach so now I'm looking for a zoom lens. I'm on a budget and I want to stay under $300US. The first lens I noticed was the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS and, after reading a few reviews, pretty much had my mind made up until I came across the Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro and the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO DG Macro. Both zoom further and cost less than the Canon but lack the Image Stabilization. So my questions are:
1) How do these lenses compare image wise? I am by no means a professional photographer but I do want the best quality photos in my price range.
AND
2) How important is the IS feature? I know it claims to minimize blur at slower shutter speeds but how slow are we talking here? I usually set my shutter between 1/80-1/200 and I feel I have a steady hand. Would I notice any difference with or without IS. Using my 18-55mm I shot one frame with IS on and one with it off and, when cropped at 100%, couldn't tell the difference. Then again I wasn't zoomed to 300mm.
Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

shaw shank · 30th March 2009

for me it'll be 55-250 cos i have one and i do not have steady hands dats y IS works for me best part is that 55-250 is realli cheap ard 360 from MS for telephoto this range with IS

a sample pic from 55-250

cheers

28th March 2009	#1
pwhitman80 New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1	Canon vs Sigma vs Tamron I'm new here and new to DSLRs in general. I recently purchased Canon XS/1000D. It came with the EF-S 18-55mm IS lens, which so far, I think is a great lens. Then again, I am coming for the low megapixel P&S world. My only problem is that I wish it had more reach so now I'm looking for a zoom lens. I'm on a budget and I want to stay under $300US. The first lens I noticed was the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS and, after reading a few reviews, pretty much had my mind made up until I came across the Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro and the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO DG Macro. Both zoom further and cost less than the Canon but lack the Image Stabilization. So my questions are: 1) How do these lenses compare image wise? I am by no means a professional photographer but I do want the best quality photos in my price range. AND 2) How important is the IS feature? I know it claims to minimize blur at slower shutter speeds but how slow are we talking here? I usually set my shutter between 1/80-1/200 and I feel I have a steady hand. Would I notice any difference with or without IS. Using my 18-55mm I shot one frame with IS on and one with it off and, when cropped at 100%, couldn't tell the difference. Then again I wasn't zoomed to 300mm. Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

30th March 2009	#2
shaw shank Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 73	Re: Canon vs Sigma vs Tamron for me it'll be 55-250 cos i have one and i do not have steady hands dats y IS works for me best part is that 55-250 is realli cheap ard 360 from MS for telephoto this range with IS a sample pic from 55-250 cheers __________________ Canon 1000D (Tamron 28-75 F/2.8, EFS 55-250, EF 50 F/1.8) Last edited by shaw shank; 30th March 2009 at 12:58 AM.