Another Canon lens question

[lizzy310]

Haven't posted to this for a long time...I decided to get the Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD for a telephoto lens. I want 1 really good lens, but this got great reviews and so it makes it affordable to have that longer distance lens when I want it. Later on when I get "really good" at all this, I can save up for a really excellent and expensive lens. I sure appreciate all of your help in the past months. I should have my new camera in just about 2 weeks with lenses and all the goodies. I am so excited to actually start taking photos. Got to read all the tutorials again and then practice all the different things and really learn the camera.

[rpcrowe]

Cogratulations on your new lens. I suspect that you will be very happy using it and hope to see a lot of images posted.

BTW: a really nice combination with the 70-300mm Tamron is their 17-50mm f/2.8 VC lens. I use Canon 17-55mm and a 70-200mm lenses and don't miss the 55-70mm gap. I don't think that a 50-70mm gap would be very bothersome either.

[lizzy310]

I am going to get the 24-105 lens for my main one. After all the great input over time, that is what I decided. The Tamron will give me the ability to take photos far away. I found it for $341 with a 6 year warranty. I get instant gratification with both lenses. Taking a trip up the coast at the end of the month. I am hoping to see whales migrating and be able to take some photographs along with the beautiful scenery. It's been a long wait for the new camera. Hubby still is looking for a job, and we have great hopes that something will come up after the first. If he goes to the UAE, I will be going to. Lots to photograph in Dubai.

Cogratulations on your new lens. I suspect that you will be very happy using it and hope to see a lot of images posted.

BTW: a really nice combination with the 70-300mm Tamron is their 17-50mm f/2.8 VC lens. I use Canon 17-55mm and a 70-200mm lenses and don't miss the 55-70mm gap. I don't think that a 50-70mm gap would be very bothersome either.

[hoffstriker]

Hello Liz,

I just want to note, make sure you inspect the 24-105L immediately once you get it. Run it through an inspection at all F-stops on a tripod to a fixed position. There are some bad copies out there, but at the same time there are some absolutely wonderful copies. Make sure where ever you buy it from, you can return/exchange it if you do not get a sharp copy.

Also, once you get the 24-105, don't be surprised if you are then unhappy with the "Tammy". It's a good lens, but no where close to how great the 24-105 can be.

Chris

[Geoff F]

Hello Liz,

I just want to note, make sure you inspect the 24-105L immediately once you get it. Run it through an inspection at all F-stops on a tripod to a fixed position. There are some bad copies out there,

Chris

Yes, I had one.

But because it was an L lens the fault had to be with me! So I spent over a year trying to improve my technique.

Eventually, after realising that I was getting more consistent results with other lenses I sent my 24-105 to a repairer. The guarantee had expired by then, of course.

Anyway, I asked them to strip the lens down and see if they could find any potential fault. And the rear lens bearing had slight movement; so they replaced this and everything has been fine since then.

My lens fault produced random focus softness. Sometimes it was excellent and sometimes I couldn't get sharp results although I was sure that I had done everything correctly.

I didn't know that other people had encountered problems with this lens; so I just assumed that someone along the supply chain had dropped it.

ps. the comparison test which finally persuaded me there might be a problem with my lens was the well used trick of photographing a magazine page. Part text and part picture; on a tripod and at all F numbers, as Chris suggested.

[Glenn NK]

Liz:

The first issues of the 24-105 lens had a small problem that was corrected six years ago or so (mine is five years old and is the revised version). So there's little chance that the one you receive will be problematic.

To check, look at the rear of the lens - it should have a piece of black plastic forming a rectangular opening that has rounded corners. As I recall, the first ones did not have the rectangular shaped opening and were subsequently modified by Canon.

In the past five years, I've never heard a complaint about this lens.

I'll add that Chris's comments about the 24-105 vs Tamron are unfortunately correct. The quality of the 24-105 is such that I use it on both my bodies for landscape work (it's difficult to wade into the ocean to change perspective - zooming is much more effective). And the IS is top notch - I've hand held at 1/10 second.

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/18...report--review

Glenn

[lizzy310]

Thanks for the input. Are you all saying that a Tamron that goes out to 300 mm and a Canon 24-105 are something that I would compare? I am wanting a longer range lens, for doing birds, distant landscapes and things like that. I do want to get a nicer lens maybe next year, but the camera, the lens and the extras are too much of a chunk of change. Maybe next year I can get a really nice telephoto to go with what I am getting. I have a lowly G10 now, which has been a great little camera, and I am keeping. Hopefully next time we go scuba diving, I will be able to get the waterproof case for it. I am thinking, that no matter what I get, it will be a step up.I also want a macro lens, but that is going to have to wait. I don't know where I will be this time next year...Dubai, or some other place, but I do want a camera that can take advantage of any locale. I may not be totally satisfied, but that will spur on the saving in the piggy bank to get the next lens. If I understand all you photo peeps...there is always a better lens on the horizon. I really do appreciate your input and help. Getting ready to order. Hubby and I went to best buy today and they had a Canon 60D, which we picked up and played with. This is looking to be lots of fun.