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Fedgrub
04-07-2011, 12:02pm
Hi everyone,

About to buy a 7D, and want the 28-105mm f/4L, but can't afford that right now. Until I save up some money, I'm trying to decide between the 18-135mm or the 18-200mm.

Anyone use either of these, and is one significantly better than the other? Leaning towards the 18-200mm because of the focal length, but don't want to get it if it is a slightly lower quality or has some disadvantages I am unaware of.

http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=2367

http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=2214

Thanks

Tannin
04-07-2011, 12:10pm
Both lenses suffer from the lack of a proper USM focus motor. Neither one is cheap, both have very long focal length ranges (which means something else has had to be sacrificed), but the 18-200 suffers more. Superzooms never do anything very well.

Your best bet is probably the very well-regarded 15-85, which pretty much everyone likes. It has as big a focal length range as it's possible to have without degrading image quality, it has excellent build quality, and a proper USM focus motor. Reasonably priced at around $999 Australian retail or $700 grey market import. What's not to like?

Bennymiata
04-07-2011, 12:33pm
Sigma make some pretty good lenses in this catagory too so don't discount these either.

You can get the 24-105 L lens for under a grand from many of the grey importers.

Speedway
04-07-2011, 1:05pm
I did a lot of research on similar lenses and finished up buying the sigma 18-250 and am very happy with it. See here (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?84049-SA-Dirt-Kart-Titles) and here (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?84267-A-busy-weekend.). The sigma is the only one with the HSM (Equivalent to the Canon USM) motor and has a very quick response in AI servo 8fps mode.
Keith.

Fedgrub
04-07-2011, 3:07pm
Thanks for everyone's feedback. I might take a look into the L from other grey importers first. Any good directions you can point me to, Benny?

Speedway
04-07-2011, 5:21pm
Digital Rev a is site supporter and a reliable grey importer. Use the sponsors tab on the top of the page to link to them that way any purchase gives support to the site as well.
Keith.

Pine
05-07-2011, 7:01am
The Canon 70-200L F4 lens is also a great choice as its reasonably cheap and crisp sharp.
Further I also agree with Tannin that the Canon 15-85 is a great lens.

If I started over I would start off with these two lenses. :rolleyes:

Regards