 Greg L. Anderson |
Zoom Lens I asked a question yesterday and received a great answer, but now I have a more definitive lens in mind. I will be taking pictures of my child active in track and other sports so I need a zoom lens and I think I'm going for a macro lens. Which lens is rated best? I realize the Canon isn't a macro but a lot of people say that I should go with it beacuse you get what you pay for. But Tamron has to be pretty good or they wouldn't offer a 6 year warranty would they? My choices are-- Canon EF 75-300mm 4-5.6 III USM Zoom or Tamron telephoto AF 70-300 4-5.6 LD macro? Canon is priced $164.95 Tamron is priced $149.95 And what does the AF, III and USM mean on the Canon?
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Jon Close |
Hi Greg A. AF in the Tamron model name is for AutoFocus. III in the Canon model means that it is version 3 of that particular lens. Each successive generation of this lens is a little lighter, has some subtle cosmetic changes and less expensive than the prior, but the optical formula and performance is unchanged. The original was introduced 1992, II in 1995, III in 1999. USM is for UltraSonic Motor. It is a very fast and quiet motor that drives the autofocus. In this particular lens it is "micro-USM," which drives reduction gears to move the focus elements, so you have to move the MF/AF to MF before attempting to manually focus. With ring-USM lenses, like the EF 100-300 f/4.5-5.6 USM, the USM motor surrounds the focus elements and moves them directly. It is even faster and quieter and because there are no reduction gears to force you can manually focus without switching to MF first. The Tamron is a pretty good lens. I have no problem recommending it. Just note that it takes 62mm diameter filters, where the Canon and Sigma lenses are 58mm, which probably match your current 28-90. Not a big problem, just by 62mm filters and use them on the smaller lens using an inexpensive 58mm/62mm step-up ring.
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Tony Peckman |
Greg, I agree with Jon recommending the Tamron. I own the zoom you're speaking of for my Pentax and also shoot my kids sporting events. I am merely an experienced photohobbyist of 20 years and the shots are very sharp. You can however, check out what people say about those lenses at www.photographyreview.com Good luck
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Jennifer K |
You might want to look here for a ranking of these type of lenses: http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/easytxt.htm#F300 I've had very good luck with using the lenses rated well on this site.
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Joni Dreith |
Hi Greg - I own a Tamron AF 70-300 f/4-5.6 LD-macro lens and have been very happy with it. I love the macro feature as my 28-80 lens doesn't have that. I have used Tamron lenses for years and have had no problems with them and am happy with the results. I can't comment on the other lenses, however. Good luck with your search!
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Jennifer K |
I'm sorry that my link takes you to the wrong section of that Lens Test Guide. You'll have to scroll up quite a bit to find the long tele zooms. The top one on that list (for zooming to 300) is Sigma AF 4.0 100-300mm EX (HSM), which is of course a pricier lens. Just wanted to share the right info, though. FWIW, I have the Canon EF 4.0 70-200mm USM L and it takes the most wonderful pictures of my son's sports. Still, 300 would be nice...
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Jon Close |
Hi Richard J. I'm just going by the stats published by Tamron on their site, which gives the filter diameter of 62mm for both the 70-300 f/4-5.6 LD 1:2 Macro and the 75-300 f/4-5.6 LD Macro http://www.tamron.com/35mm/35mm_af/a70300_macro.htm http://www.tamron.com/35mm/35mm_af/a75300.htm Perhaps yours is an older model with different specs, or there may be an error on the website.
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