Camera Labs

Will be getting a new lens sometime next month. Problem is, I can't decide which one to go for . It's now down to a shootout between the Carl Zeiss 16 - 80, the Sony AF DT 16- 105 and Tamron 18 - 250 Di II.

I want the Zeiss because I've heard very good things about Zeiss glasses and I feel that the kit 18 - 70mm lens is not that brilliant. Having said that, the range of the Zeiss is very similar to my current lens and I've heard that the build quality of the Zeiss isn't that great.

The DT 16 - 105 is very tempting too since that appears to be good quality and it has a slightly better range than my current lens. The image quality, focusing speed, focusing sound is supposed to be better than what I currently have too.

The Tamron 18 - 250 is just insanely good for the price and will serve as a good walkaround lens. The ability to go from wide range to full 250 zoom is just so versatile that I'm saliviting at the prospective shots I can take.

I'm spoilt for choice

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PhilipGoh.com

While the 16-80Z is a great lens, the number of people reporting focus or other issues with it seems higher than should be. Even mine is not perfect, and has somewhat erratic AF at short range while at low focal lengths. But still I wouldn't give it up.

The 16-105 was very tempting too, and I wonder if I should have gone with that. It's cheaper and longer than the 16-80, yet also has very good reviews.

The 18-250 is a bit of a tradeoff. While you have a massive range, the quality wont be quite up to that of shorter ranged lenses.

I went through the same choices when I was buying (but with the Sony version of the 18-250). Right now, if I were in the same position, I think I'd go for the 16-105, and keep the longer range to a dedicated lens for the job. So personally I'm picking quality over convenience there, while avoiding the potential issues of the 16-80z.

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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.

the lens you choose is all dependent on what you want it to do.

for a general high quality lense the CZ 16-80 is great
For a walk about lens the 18-250mm lens is said to be very good
Maby you want a telephoto lens to give you more range, the 75-300mm is a great supliment to the kit lens or there is the sony 70-300mm G SSM lense which is even better.

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Tobywuk personal website || My Flickr
Gear: Sony a700! || CZ 16-80mm! || Sony 75-300 || bag: Crumpler PB xxxl / Lowepro slingshot 200

I already have a 55 - 200 mm Tamron zoom lens and I find that I hardly use it. When I see a shot that requires a zoom, it takes way too long to swap lenses. That's why I'm looking at the 18 - 250 mm as a possible candidate.

Though the CZ and DT lenses are looking very attractive.

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PhilipGoh.com

I'm biased toward the SAL 18-250, as you may have guessed.
The reviews show an exterior quality difference between the Tamron and Sony version, so maybe research that as well.
I have some full zoom and close-up shots in the "Action and Sports" tread (Airshow & Motorcycle Show) which should give you an idea, but note that I'm an amateur, so your shots should turn out better.

there are some rumors that the 16-80mm cz is going to be replace.

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Gear:Sony Alpha a350, Sony H9, Nikon FM-10
Gear:CZ85mm F/1.4 Planar, CZ24-70mm F/2.8 T* ssm, Sony 70-200mm G F/2.8 ssm, Sony 50mm F/2.8 macro, Nikkor 35-70mm

Westcoast, are all you Flickr shots with the 18-250 ?

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Nikon D90 - flickr

No, the majority are taken with the Kit lens, if you want to see a difference let me know and I will post photos featuring the 2 lens comparison.

Yes please do!

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PhilipGoh.com

Short memory?

http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtop ... c&start=15

I was on holiday and probably half drunk when I posted that

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PhilipGoh.com

From your posts, I think the Sony 18-250mm is the best lens for you. Though the Zeiss offers great quality and it's issues won't be very disturbing most of the time, the comfort of having one general-purpose zoom seems to suit your needs. The Sony version (18-250, NOT the 18-200mm, gets good reviews, so I think that would be the one to look at, even though the third party equivalents are less expensive.

The 16-105mm is a great lens too, but it will still be short for many occassions in which changing lenses may not be your thing...

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

I'll get the 18 - 250mm when I get paid later this month. The IQ looks good, and it will suit me really well as a travel lens.

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PhilipGoh.com

Can we look foward to a short user review, perhaps?

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

Hehehe, we'll see

My photography skill sucks so badly that I'd be embarassed to provide sample shots.

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PhilipGoh.com