Do I need an upgrade?

[rpcrowe]

Davey mentions, The place where it falls down is resale value, build quality and future body support since new models wont always be compatible with 3rd party glass."

I have had problems with older Sigma lenses not being compatible with newer cameras (Canon) but, my 90mm f/2.8 AF SP Macro (which is the model prior to the present Di issue) works fine with my newest Canon cameras (7D).

I use my Tammy solely for macro and close up work and it produces very good to excellent IQ. Where I consider that the lens falls down is when it is used as a short telephoto in auto-focus mode. The AF is slow (despite the focus limiter) and tends to hunt. However, I have no problem with closeup and macro work since I primarily use manual focus for these types of shots...

Since I paid less than $100 USD for my Tammy which I purchased used several years ago, I have no complaints whatsoever...

[William W]

hope you don't mind me asking but are you the WW who posts on photo.net?

No, I don't mind.
Yes I am he.

[William W]

. . .the kind of photography I am shooting includes . . . family/indoor and urban/city. It's pretty varied.

I think I may go for a prime lens. Not sure whether to go for the 35mm/1.8 or 50mm/1.8…based on the type of photography I do, what would you lot recommend?

I'm guessing 35mm is better for indoor and family type pics?

Yes, much more flexible as the ONLY Prime Lens .

You can always move closer with a 35 loaded: but with a large group portrait, or inside for a portrait, or both: you cannot always move backwards with a 50 loaded.

WW

[thequacksoflife]

No, I don't mind.
Yes I am he.

I was reading the Wedding and social forum on photo.net and then your posts on here and I was struck by the fact that the posts sounded very similar!

[thequacksoflife]

I'm guessing 35mm is better for indoor and family type pics?

although you can't mimic f1.8.... you could always set your 18-200 permanently at 35 and 50 for a session and see which focal length works best for you.

[shahvikram123]

Thanks for all the input guys! much appreciated Think I may invest in a prime lens in a few months or so.

[Brev00]

I just wanted to share my own experience. I started out using a Tamron superzoom (28-300 from my film days) when I got my D90. When I returned from a trip to Italy, I decided that I needed to split up my zoom. Most of my pics there were taken in the 28-70 range and there were a lot of times I wanted to go wider than 28 but couldn't. So, getting a midrange in the 16/18-70/85 range was on the table. Which also meant that I would get a lens for the longer focal lengths. I actually needed this lens first since I wanted to do better at capturing my daughters' sports activities. I then bought the Tamron 70-300 vc which was fairly new to the market at the time. I continue to use it for the original purpose (one daughter is still playing high school soccer) and many others. A few months later I bought the Sigma 17-70 os. It would give me the wide focal lengths I lacked and some good closeup shooting ability for my flower shots. In other words, I got specific lenses for specific reasons. Unless you have an exact purpose for the new lens in mind, sit back and relax until the limitations of your gear make themselves known to you.

As a side note, the clerk who sold the the 70-300 suggested I sell the old 28-300. I got it cleaned and adjusted for free under warranty (Tamron has excellent customer service in my experience). When it came back in mint condition, I couldn't sell it and now I use it pretty often as a backup, travel, bad weather (don't like changing lenses amidst clouds of volcanic dust, for example) lens. It can be fun to get as wide as 28 for a full field sports shot and use it instead of the 70-300 at times. So, if you do add to your kit, your 18-200 might still be a handy tool for you.

[jcuknz]

My attitude is if you are taking interesting photos you don't need to change, if you are not new lens may elevate you to the technically excellent rubbish category but may not. The 18-200 will be fround upon by some but I enjoy working with the MFT equivalant and for close shots I simply add a CU lens to enable me to work closer with the full zoom ... so to my way of thinking you already have one too many lenses

The otheraspect I continue to work to is the lack of the wide angle and previous to MFT I had a 35mm AoV lens and when I wanted the rare wider view I simply stitch two or more together ... but you do need to be practicing your editing as much as using the camera for it to be a useful adjunct to the camera ... of equal importance IMO.
Early on I read a Pano expert say he never used a stitch programme except for quick and nasty jobs so I do not either