Which Superzoom ?

Hi folks

I am sure that this must have been discussed before but I wondered if any new products had come out...

I am looking to buy a superzoom - something like a 18-250. I have the 18-55 and a 50-200 but I'm getting a bit fed up with getting dust on the sensor - as I came from a bridge camera a superzoom seems like a good solution.

So what options do I have and which is the best ?

thanks

Pentax/Tamron/Sigma 18-250mm .. thats about it really.

thanks - which is the best ?

Not tried the Sigma .. the Tamron and Pentax are pretty good and the same lens in all but name (and possibly lens coating) so pick whichever you find cheapest.

I've had really good results from the Sigma 18-200, though I'm aware most people don't rate it highly. Perhaps I have a particularly good copy but I found that it was pixel-sharp on a K20D.

Example at wide end: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pm107/2360608311/ (not sure why the EXIF reports two such different focal lengths!)

Example at long end: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pm107/3494447578/

Cheers,
Paul

I'm not sure where your sensor dust is coming from - I hardly ever suffer from it despite changing lenses pretty frequently.

Not sure if you're already doing this, but try holding the camera pointing downwards while changing lenses, change the lens quickly and don't leave the camera without a lens (or a body cap). Also worth setting it to self-clean when switched on - this seems to work very well for keeping my K-m in a reasonable condition. I'm sure there are tiny dust particles on there but they don't show up in my images.

I don't see any sense in owning an interchangeable lens SLR/DSLR and then limiting it to using only one lens. You'll be missing so many photo opportunities if you do.

It's quite common these days. My D7000 is only attached to a 70-200 f/2.8, when it does come off, its only to fit a matching TC. I prefer not to change lenses in the field or on a shoot. Currently I use three bodies and four lenses, after September that will go to four bodies and lenses as I need the K10D with me to keep the 100mm macro lens attached, freeing my K7 for a 16/17-50mm.

Best regards

Follow the lens changing tips above and you shouldn't have a problem. You would be missing out to restrict yourself to one lens, assuming you don't have multiple bodies.

I too use multiple bodies so I fully understand your reasoning but I'd rather assumed that the OP has only one camera body available. I still think that limiting one camera to one lens is senseless. Better to resolve the dust ingress issue.

Jay Maisel does OK with just a 28-300mm (most of the time)
on a full frame camera


http://studio.jaymaisel.com/collections/portfolio

For every person that has an opinion, there are many more contra-opinions. I've voiced mine, others are entitled to theirs.

Great stuff. Does not change my approach to a shoot and I have yet to find a 28-300mm f/2.8

justa, as Mike-P said. Your not going to be stuck for choice.

Best regards

thanks for the replies

I have had a problem with dust on the sensor since pretty much day one - its driving me mad !!

I change the lenses as instructed but still end up with dust that I have to remove with aperture.

I understand the advice about having interchangeable lenses is part of owning an SLR but at the moment I have come to 2 options..

Buy a superzoom or sell the SLR and go back to a bridge camera !

Great link, thanks.