newbies need advise regarding 3rd party lens..


abun2605

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Jun 30, 2010
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Hello..
Bro and Sista..
need some advise regarding 3rd party lens ..
i'm intend to buy a zoom lens size abt 18-200 or 18+-300mm can u guys help me is it the brand name like Tamron or Sigma is better than Canon lens, i'm juz bought my canon cam abt 3 wks ago and now looking for a zoom lens to shoot some far away object. Thanks for ur kind advise in advance..:D
 

Go online, use google, read the reviews and compare.
 

i will go for sigma.
 

Tamron, Sigma and Canon all have what you are looking for. Short of actually using them yourself, your best bet is to read reviews.

My opinion is that if you are looking for a 3rd party lens, I'd go for the Tamron 18-270mm VC. I'm not certain if that will fit your budget.
 

Hello..
Bro and Sista..
need some advise regarding 3rd party lens ..
i'm intend to buy a zoom lens size abt 18-200 or 18+-300mm can u guys help me is it the brand name like Tamron or Sigma is better than Canon lens, i'm juz bought my canon cam abt 3 wks ago and now looking for a zoom lens to shoot some far away object. Thanks for ur kind advise in advance..:D

After using Tokina and Sigma lens for Canon bodies, I still think that Canon lenses are better in terms of image quality, build and speed.

But some third-party lens do give good value for money. Just don't expect too much from them.
 

reading reviews is your best way out because they will all handle differently
 

After using Tokina and Sigma lens for Canon bodies, I still think that Canon lenses are better in terms of image quality, build and speed.

But some third-party lens do give good value for money. Just don't expect too much from them.

I strongly disagree.

I find some lenses from 3rd party makers are way superior than the Canon or Nikon variants. And some "3rd party" companies are actually the actual manufacturers for original equipment brands.
 

After using Tokina and Sigma lens for Canon bodies, I still think that Canon lenses are better in terms of image quality, build and speed.
But some third-party lens do give good value for money. Just don't expect too much from them.
Better in terms of what speed? Milliseconds of focusing? Or lens speed as maximum aperture? If third party lenses give 'value for money' then Canon's lenses are overprized? Third party lenses fill the holes and compliment the list of available lenses where the Canon line-up has big holes .. or big price tags. Tamron's 17-50 f/2.8 is a good example here.
 

i'm intend to buy a zoom lens size abt 18-200 or 18+-300mm can u guys help me is it the brand name like Tamron or Sigma is better than Canon lens, i'm juz bought my canon cam abt 3 wks ago and now looking for a zoom lens to shoot some far away object.
Any generic answer like "xx better than yy" is bound to be nonsense. Every lens maker has its gems and less capable models. Please note that those "all in one" lenses defeat the purpose of SLR cameras which interchangeable lenses. Secondly, Physics asks for compromises. These lenses do not provide the same image quality as lenses with a shorter focal length range. That's why the high-end lenses in Canon only cover distinctive ranges: 17-40, 24-70, 70-200.
Read the reviews, they will give enough information. Ask specific questions if there are still some. First of all: define your budget.
 

I strongly disagree.

I find some lenses from 3rd party makers are way superior than the Canon or Nikon variants. And some "3rd party" companies are actually the actual manufacturers for original equipment brands.

Do you have some third-party lenses which you use and you think are superior to their Canon counterpart? (I am a Canon user).

So far, I tried Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 and the performance is abysmal in terms of focusing (a lot of hunting issues and noisy) as well as sharpness. I used to have a Tokina 28-70 f/2.8 when I was using Nikon film bodies. It's also a little slow and noisy in focusing.
 

Better in terms of what speed? Milliseconds of focusing? Or lens speed as maximum aperture? If third party lenses give 'value for money' then Canon's lenses are overprized? Third party lenses fill the holes and compliment the list of available lenses where the Canon line-up has big holes .. or big price tags. Tamron's 17-50 f/2.8 is a good example here.

I'm referring to focusing speed. I have not try 3P lenses with USM-like features. Perhaps they are as good or close to USM OEM lenses.

Personally, I think Canon lenses are overpriced. So like you have mentioned, these 3PL filled the affordability gap.
 

After using Tokina and Sigma lens for Canon bodies, I still think that Canon lenses are better in terms of image quality, build and speed.

But some third-party lens do give good value for money. Just don't expect too much from them.

ok, please compare plastic canon kit lens to tamron 17-50

your statement is so broad and sweeping i cannot help but laugh my head off in response.
 

ok, please compare plastic canon kit lens to tamron 17-50

your statement is so broad and sweeping i cannot help but laugh my head off in response.

Glad to know my comment made you laugh :bsmilie:

I've generalised my personal experiences from two 3PL and other OEM lenses to the TS's question. Anything wrong with sharing my personal experience?
 

Glad to know my comment made you laugh :bsmilie:

I've generalised my personal experiences from two 3PL and other OEM lenses to the TS's question. Anything wrong with sharing my personal experience?

a man once saw a swallow and said "oh, it is summer"

he went everywhere and told everyone amidst the falling snow that it was summer.

upon the receipt of much laughter and mirth, he stood up and said angrily: "anything wrong with sharing my personal experience?" :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 

a man once saw a swallow and said "oh, it is summer"

he went everywhere and told everyone amidst the falling snow that it was summer.

upon the receipt of much laughter and mirth, he stood up and said angrily: "anything wrong with sharing my personal experience?" :thumbsup::thumbsup:

:bsmilie:
 

Hello..
Bro and Sista..
need some advise regarding 3rd party lens ..
i'm intend to buy a zoom lens size abt 18-200 or 18+-300mm can u guys help me is it the brand name like Tamron or Sigma is better than Canon lens, i'm juz bought my canon cam abt 3 wks ago and now looking for a zoom lens to shoot some far away object. Thanks for ur kind advise in advance..:D

Both are OK, but you must select Tamron-"VC" or Sigma- "OS" for zoom range.
Very difficult to take zoom shot without VC/OS..
 

Do you have some third-party lenses which you use and you think are superior to their Canon counterpart? (I am a Canon user).

So far, I tried Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 and the performance is abysmal in terms of focusing (a lot of hunting issues and noisy) as well as sharpness. I used to have a Tokina 28-70 f/2.8 when I was using Nikon film bodies. It's also a little slow and noisy in focusing.

Yes. Sigma 30/1.4 is unmatched. So is the Sigma 50/1.4. Both either has no viable competition, or kick the Canon or Nikon versions' behind. Another honorable mention: Tokina 11-16/2.8. C and N has no answer to this lens in this price range. Also, other honorable mentions are Tokina 50-135/2.8 (yes, pentax users get this lens with the pentax logo... lucky pentaxians...)

Ok enough about Sigma, Tamron, Tokina.

Now lets talk about other 3rd party brands. Carl Zeiss is also 3rd party, and their lenses are very very good. Most of their offerings have better IQ than their C and N variants. The Voigtlander 58/1.4 is very nice as well. A lot of people prefer the 58 over the N or C 50/1.4. There is the Voigt 40 also.

Look deeper and you will find more and more gems. 3rd party does't mean it is bad. Sometimes you have to sacrifice something in exchange for the price. And personally, I rather look at value (features/performance vs price). A lot of us do, as our wallets are somewhat limited. Unless you are loaded and overflowing with money, you will think different and get the best of everything.

Now, do you still think 3rd party lenses are no good? Do you also want me to list some of the lenses manufactured for Pentax, Sony by Tokina and Tamron? Or do you want to google that yourself?
 

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Yes. Sigma 30/1.4 is unmatched. So is the Sigma 50/1.4. Both either has no viable competition, or kick the Canon or Nikon versions' behind. Another honorable mention: Tokina 11-16/2.8. C and N has no answer to this lens in this price range. Also, other honorable mentions are Tokina 50-135/2.8 (yes, pentax users get this lens with the pentax logo... lucky pentaxians...)

Ok enough about Sigma, Tamron, Tokina.

Now lets talk about other 3rd party brands. Carl Zeiss is also 3rd party, and their lenses are very very good. Most of their offerings have better IQ than their C and N variants. The Voigtlander 58/1.4 is very nice as well. A lot of people prefer the 58 over the N or C 50/1.4. There is the Voigt 40 also.

Look deeper and you will find more and more gems. 3rd party does't mean it is bad. Sometimes you have to sacrifice something in exchange for the price. And personally, I rather look at value (features/performance vs price). A lot of us do, as our wallets are somewhat limited. Unless you are loaded and overflowing with money, you will think different and get the best of everything.

Now, do you still think 3rd party lenses are no good? Do you also want me to list some of the lenses manufactured for Pentax, Sony by Tokina and Tamron? Or do you want to google that yourself?

Thanks Daredevil :) Your answer was very helpful to me. In fact, I'm looking at more reviews on Sigma lenses for certain range (which I don't really want to splurge on the Canon equivalent).

I think I confined my definition to only the unholy trinity: Tamron, Sigma and Tokina. Unfortunately, CZ and Voigtlander don't produce for Canon. I think I'm gonna play with more 3PL before someone laughs more. :D
 

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I think I confined my definition to only the unholy trinity: Tamron, Sigma and Tokina. Unfortunately, CZ and Voigtlander don't produce for Canon. I think I'm gonna play with more 3PL before someone laughs more. :D
Call Zeiss also produces for Canon mount: http://www.zeiss.com/C12567A8003B58B9/Contents-Frame/A0E0F6C4726E366BC125710E005F5A21 - they label it 'ZE'
As a result, you can use the lens like any other Canon lens - only that you need to focus manually. Have a look into the Canon Price Guide for the numbers :sweatsm:
Alternatively, you can use manual lenses with M42 screw mount or Contax C/Y bayonet mount on Canon EOS cameras using the respective adapters. You can get them here in the forum or in certain camera shops (e.g. OP). But: all lenses will work only as full manual lenses, meaning: manual focusing, manual aperture setting. You can only use Av or M mode on Canon cameras.
 

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I think I confined my definition to only the unholy trinity: Tamron, Sigma and Tokina. Unfortunately, CZ and Voigtlander don't produce for Canon. I think I'm gonna play with more 3PL before someone laughs more. :D

:bsmilie:

well, you do get what you pay for, i'll be fair. it's just that it often comes at an exponential price.

singapore is a rare case where people are more than willing to pay big money for what they don't really need. there seems to be little cost-benefit analysis when it comes to purchase of lenses. granted, it's your money, but i think i am more than entitled to feel a bit sorrowful when i see a d3 user mucking around and producing shots that my grandmother could produce with a p&s. and there are lesser extents of this scenario, of course.

i agree that some of the TPL have problems. for example, the tamron 17-50 is big bang for buck, but if you are planning to use it for wedding photography, for example, the focusing will make you the centre of attention, i would think.

that said, you shouldn't just downright condemn TPL. for things like landscapes, 10-20mm for APS-C format has on-par performance and build quality with most of the original lenses. i don't see why you should miss considering it by handling the entire set of lenses because it has a brand on it. :)