Tamron 18-200mm for Sony A200. Good idea?

[George7]

My birthday is coming up soon and I'm thinking of getting a new lens for my SLR. I've been considering a 70-300 for a while but I don't really like the idea of changing lenses all the time which is why I quite like the idea of this. It starts out at 18 which is great for normal use, but then goes all the way to 200 which would make this a very practical lens and may be the only lens I'll ever need :p I'm not sure though. What would the drawbacks be over my kit lens though?

Here is the aforementioned lens.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1009919

It seems to be the front runner atm! However, important question, how would it fare for macro photography? I read a review on it. It's not as good as the more expensive sigma and nikkor (obviously) but the test shots only show the zoom performance really. No macros in there at all.

Anyway, is this a good lens to get? It'll be my first lens I'll ever buy and I don't want to get it wrong so I thought I'd ask some people who know what they're talking about :p

Cheers :thumbs:

[Andy]

Had a quick check on youtube,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ndbmtyBPEA

Any help?

[JIMC]

Another cracking lens I would consider, would be the minolta 70-210(beercan)

[George7]

Cheers Andy, that is a very helpful video and makes me want that lens even more :p I think I may go for that one now! I would like to find a nice cheap good minolta or second hand lens on ebay but I don't know what to look for so I think buying new may be my best option. Also, from what the bloke in the video said, it's very good for macro shots :D

[heidfirst]

if you can afford it get the 18-250mm instead, noticeably better.
The Sigma 18-250 is supposed to be better again.

[George7]

Problem is. The cheapest I've seen an 18-250 is for around 300 pounds. That's double the price of this len. Whilst I'm sure it's also a better lens optically, it's out of my range, unless there's a cheaper one I'm missing. About 100-200 (though I'd rather not spend too close to the 200 range, infact, 170 is more my max budget) is my price range and I can't really go higher than that as my parents don't like spending much on my birthdays :)

[heidfirst]

considered the 55-200mm?
It punches well above it's price but again you would have to swap lenses sometimes ...

[Jono75]

It all depends on what you want to use the lenses for, but my advice would always be too buy the best that you can afford and always remmember that the best zoom that you have is your feet. I have a tamron 18 250 which I have used on a couple of occasions and it covers most views require if you do not want to change lenses often, I would also recomend the beercan. I would look on ebay for any bargins which can make your funds go further.



Hope this helps