Digital camera accessories

[ken212]

I already have a couple of lenses for my T1i that I have special for my daughter's sports etc. I now want to buy a lens that would be good for everyday things and when I only want to carry one lens. Such as when I go to the beach, boardwalk, zoo, park, parties or everyday things. I wanted something that has a range of 18-200 or more.
 
 I want image stabilization or something similiar to it depending on what the companiy calls it. I have seen three lens from three different companies and was wondering which would be the best for my situation and which gives the sharpest pictures out of them. I know when you buy an all in one zoom sometimes they are not the best at their extremes on the lens. But just looking for an opinion.
 
First is the Canon 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 with IS. The nest is the Tamron 18-270 f3.5-6.3 with VC and the final one is the Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 with OS.
 
Any suggestions?

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Ken212 and welcome to the forum! Sorry for the delay in responding, which was due to the Fourth of July holiday.

One of the best places to find out about the variety and quality of lenses is at Fred Miranda's site. This highly respected site is jam packed with information and user reviews about a variety of lenses...and a lot more

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

You may also find this article helpful about DSLR lens uses. It was written by professional photographer Brett Turner.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/dslr-accessories/lens-uses/

This article discusses lens quality:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/accessories/dslr-accessories/lens-quality/

[ken212]

The two articles were informative , but the first site really was not helpful. Only one of three of the lens was even list. I tried to register to the site, but it said I was already registered, which I never remember doing. So than I tried where it says forgotten password and it said my email had never registered. Don't know how it could be both. Was hoping the lenses would have been listed since I checked a couple and they were interesting.

[ShutterbugGail]

If you can sign up at Fred Miranda's site with another email address, do so. Or contact Fred directly.

Here are reviews at dpreview for each lens you mention:

Canon 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 with IS:

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon_18-200_3p5-5p6_is_c16/


Tamron 18-270 f3.5-6.3 with VC:

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/tamron_18-270_3p5-6p3_vc_n15/


Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 with OS:

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/sigma_18-250_3p5-6p3_os_c16/

[ken212]

Thank you for the links

[ShutterbugGail]

Ken, also check out these helpful lens review websites:

Photozone

http://www.photozone.de/

And LensTip

http://www.lenstip.com/

[bdery]

There is another web site useful for lens tests: www.slrgear.com.

I have not used any of the lenses you mention, but have used the previous version of the Tamron lens. I am not vouching for any brand but I know the new Tamron is very well regarded. It of course is a compromise lens, but you seem to accept that and understand that superzooms are not the best optically. As long as you accept the compromises, either lens should serve you well.