Camera Labs

Hi
I am new to this so apologies if this is in the wrong section or worded incorrectly!!!!
I have had a Sony A200 for just under a year and have been happily taking shots with the supplied lens (18-70mm). I am now getting more confident and am looking to upgrade the lens. Unfortunately I am new to photography but have done some research and the tamron and sony have been reviewed as being value for money for the novice photographer.

So my question is which should I be looking at or should I ignore them both and continue with my search???

Thank you very much for any advice you can give!

Don't see this as an upgrade as such, but extending your capabilities allowing you to do more. What you do already, you can keep doing.

If you think you only want to go up to 200mm or so, see if you can find a cheap Tamron 55-200. Optically the Sony version is a rebadge of it, but the Tamron is cheaper. Prices have been drifting up recently though, so you might also consider something like the Tamron 70-300 with a bit more range.

The 18-200 is one for convenience if you don't want to have to change lens but longer term you can get better quality for the money if you don't mind swapping lenses.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hello silvey1, and welcome to the friendly Camera Labs forum!
To enjoy your stay here please have a look at the house-rules!
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Popo's advice is very sound: In you situation I'd go for a 70-300mm lens - the perfect complement for what you already have.

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

hello! and welcome! silvey1

i got 18-250 lens but as you read, the convinience is it what youre getin w/ that 18-200 but its also true if you want really to be pro' swapping lenses is way to go!

well then i am really having fun with my lens REALY

lomer

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Good Aperture Everyone! Good reply is always Making me very very happy thanks...
Sony A700; sony 18-70mm, 18-250.
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whats is the difference between Sony DT 55-200mm and the new DT 55-200mm SAM lens? I mean the picture quality taken with these two lens?

BTW, i'm new to this CL forum...Name's BEN

I don't think there's a difference optically. They just added a Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) to it...

I'd get the 55-200, perhaps with an 18-55. The latter is significantly sharper and generally spoken much better in optical performance.

Only superzoom I know about with any decent/good performance is Canon's 28-300L IS USM...€ 2000. You're better off with different pieces of glass...

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Sony α77V/VG-C77AM/α350/18-70/70-400 G SSM/NEX-5/18-55 OSS/Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW/CompuTrekker AW/Nova 140 AW/Street & Field gear/Toploader Pro 75 AW. And a huge wishlist...

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